The Department of Biostatistics - School of Allied Medical Sciences

Introducing Department of Biostatistics

Overview

The Department of Biostatistics is one of the departments in the School of Allied Medical Sciences, which is affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU). SBMU is one of the largest and most prestigious medical universities in Iran, located in Tehran. The Department of Biostatistics offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in biostatistics. The Department also provides biostatistical consulting and collaboration services to researchers within and outside the University. The Department has a faculty of 7 members, who are experts in various fields of biostatistics and data science, such as survival analysis, longitudinal data analysis, Bayesian methods, machine learning, bioinformatics, epidemiology, and clinical trials. The Department has several research projects funded by national agencies, and has published many papers in reputable journals. Some of the recent research topics include: Analysis of fmri data; Deep learning and Machine learning methods in medical data, Advanced Longitudinal and Survival methods; Analysis of Microarray and Gene set data. The Department aims to advance the science and practice of biostatistics and data science through excellence in research, education, and service.

Mission: The mission of the Department of Biostatistics is to advance the science and practice of biostatistics and data science through excellence in research, education, and service. The Department aims to provide innovative and rigorous statistical solutions to address complex problems in biomedical and public health research, to train the next generation of biostatisticians and data scientists, and to collaborate with researchers across disciplines and institutions.

Vision: The vision of the Department of Biostatistics is to be a leader in biostatistics and data science research, education, and service. The Department strives to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, diversity, and impact. The Department seeks to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the improvement of health through cutting-edge biostatistical and data science methods and applications.

Goals: The goals of the Department of Biostatistics are:

To conduct high-quality biostatistical and data science research that addresses important scientific questions and challenges in biomedical and public health fields.
To develop novel biostatistical and data science methods and tools that can handle complex and high-dimensional data, account for uncertainty and variability, and facilitate causal inference and prediction.
To offer rigorous and comprehensive biostatistics and data science education programs at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels.
To provide biostatistical and data science consulting and collaboration services to researchers within and outside the University.
To promote ethical, responsible, and reproducible research practices in biostatistics and data science.
To engage with the local, national, and international biostatistics and data science communities through outreach, dissemination, and professional service.

MSc and Ph.D. students

At the present time, the Department of Biostatistics has 9 MSc and 12 Ph.D. students in Biostatistics.

Equipment and facilities of the Department of Biostatistics

The Department of Biostatistics is located in a space of about 150 square meters on the fourth floor of the Faculty of Paramedical Sciences. This department has 5 rooms with 5 computers for the faculty members. In Department of Biostatistics, there are two classrooms with video projectors and computers with the capability of virtual learning for teaching students, and the capacity of these classes is available to other departments of the faculty when necessary.

The group's computer site is available to students with 11 computers and a video projector.

Computer room

Department of Biostatistics created a computer room that will enhance the learning experience and research productivity of its students. This computer room is a valuable resource for students in the Department of Biostatistics, as it provides them with access to specialized software, data analysis tools, and online databases. To set up the computer room, these essential steps were followed:

Installing adequate power outlets, network cables, and internet routers.
Purchasing high-performance computers that can run statistical software such as R, SAS, SPSS, Python, and Stata.
Installing the necessary software and licenses on each computer and ensuring they are updated regularly.
Providing comfortable chairs, desks, keyboards, mice, and monitors for each workstation.
Creating a user policy that outlines the rules and regulations for using the computer room, such as hours of operation, reservation system, data security, and maintenance.
Hiring a technician or a staff member who can oversee the computer room and troubleshoot any issues.

Graduate programs

The Department of Biostatistics has two graduate programs: a Master of Science (MS) in Biostatistics and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biostatistics. These programs aim to train students in the theory and application of biostatistical methods for public health and biomedical research. Here is a brief introduction of each program and its curriculum:

The MS in Biostatistics is a two-year program that prepares students for applied research positions in universities, hospitals, and industry. Students are required to complete some coursework, including core courses in biostatistical theory, methods, and computing, as well as electives in areas such as clinical trials, machine learning, and data science. Students also need to complete a thesis project under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The MS program provides students with the skills and knowledge to design studies, analyze data, and report results using various biostatistical tools and software.
The PhD in Biostatistics is a four-year program that prepares students for academic or research careers in biostatistics. Students are required to complete some of coursework, including core courses in biostatistical theory, methods, and computing, as well as advanced courses in areas such as causal inference, and statistical genetics. Students also need to pass a qualifying exam, a preliminary exam, and a dissertation defense. The PhD program provides students with the opportunity to conduct original and innovative research in biostatistics under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

The Department of Biostatistics also offers various seminars, workshops, and colloquia for students to learn from experts in the field and network with peers and faculty. The Department has strong collaborations with other departments and institutes within the university and beyond, such as the Department of Epidemiology, the School of Medicine, the School of Engineering, and the National Institutes of Health. The Department also has access to state-of-the-art computing facilities and data sources for biostatistical research.

Academic staff members

The biostatistics department is composed of a group of dedicated and talented professionals who are passionate about advancing the field of biostatistics and collaborating with researchers from various disciplines. Here is a brief introduction of the group manager and academic staff members in the biostatistics department:

The group manager is Dr. …, who is also a professor of biostatistics. He has over 20 years of experience in teaching, research, and consulting in biostatistics. He is also the director of the biostatistics consulting center, which provides statistical support and training to faculty and students across the university.

Some websites that are related:

Iranian Statistical Society: This is the official website of the Iranian Statistical Society, which is a professional and scientific organization for statisticians and biostatisticians in Iran. You can find information about their mission, activities, events, publications, and membership. You can also access their online journal, the Iranian Journal of Statistics and Biostatistics, which publishes original research articles in various fields of statistics and biostatistics.
Statistical Research Center: This is an affiliate of the Statistical Center of Iran, which is the main governmental organization responsible for collecting, processing, and disseminating official statistics in Iran. The Statistical Research Center conducts research and training in statistics and biostatistics, as well as providing consulting services to public and private sectors. You can find information about their projects, publications, courses, and workshops on their website.
Iran Demographic Center: This is a research center affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran. It focuses on conducting demographic studies and providing data and analysis on population dynamics, health indicators, fertility, mortality, migration, and family planning in Iran. You can access their reports, databases, surveys, and bulletins on their website.