Message from the Head

This is an exciting time for Biostatistics. As a branch of statistical science that focuses on biomedical research, the discipline plays an increasingly critical role in addressing public health issues. To establish CityU as a leader in biostatistical education and research and to align with the One Health concept, a new department focusing on biostatistics has been created.

The department is committed to developing novel statistical methodology and applying state-of-the-art analytical solutions to problems in public health, veterinary epidemiology and the biomedical sciences. We also plan to collaborate more broadly with scientists and investigators in academia, government, and the private sector, to advance evidence-based research and to improve public health. Furthermore, the department will aim to train the next generation of biostatisticians through an innovative curriculum that will equip them with the necessary analytical, leadership, and communication skills to meet the challenges of a data-intense era. As the department grows, faculty members and students will become involved in collaborations with domain area experts. These collaborations will further motivate deep methodological work that can address gaps in traditional hypothesis-driven scientific research. Join us if you share this vision!

The new department currently offers a master’s degree programme in Biostatistics. The programme will provide comprehensive training in the principles and applications of statistics in biological science and public health. Students will be trained based on the One Health approach to enhance their knowledge, abilities and professional capabilities to solve the interdisciplinary health problems posed by emerging medical and public health issues (e.g., drug resistance and vaccine efficacy). Graduates of the MSc programme, whom are envisaged to be in high demand following the increasing global concerns over public health and the rapid expansion of the pharmaceutical industry in China, will be qualified to pursue careers involving biomedical and public health in government, biotech companies, and national/international research institutions.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Department of Biostatistics at CityU!