New MSc in biostatistics and data science jointly offered by KTH, KI and SU
Students can prepare for careers as data scientists in medicine and public health, with a new master’s programme jointly offered by KTH, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University beginning in the autumn 2024 term.
Biostatistics and Data Science is the first such master’s programme in the Nordic countries, says Programme Director Jimmy Olsson.
“It’s a timely response to the vital role data analytics has begun to play in advancing research and decision-making in medicine and healthcare,” Olsson says. “We will see ever-growing demand for expertise in this area in the future.”
The joint collaboration was launched by the three universities under an alliance known as the Stockholm Trio, which was formed in 2019. Olsson says the programme offers a tailored selection of courses from each university.
“The three different universities bring complementary expertise,” he says. “KI with strong research in biostatistics and medicine, KTH in computational statistics, machine learning, and image analysis and SU in mathematical statistics, infectious disease modeling and population genetics.”
Throughout the program, classes are taught alternately at all three universities. “Much effort has been made to ensure that students feel the same sense of belonging to each of the three universities,” he says.
Olsson says the programme is also expected to lead to increased collaboration in both research and teaching within the Stockholm Trio.
Biostatistics and Data Science is aimed at students with backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, computer science, AI and machine learning and who wish to work as data analysts or researchers.
“It’s especially aimed at students who are interested in the latest techniques in biostatistics and data science and their applications in biology, medicine and public health,” Olsson says.
Demand for advanced computational statistical methods, machine-learning tools and deep learning in biology and medicine have increased sharply in recent years. For instance, advanced statistical modeling played a crucial role in understanding the spread of Covid 19.
“With a high demand for trained statisticians and data analysts in all biomedical fields, both in Sweden and abroad, there is a strong need for such a programme,” he says.
Application for the programme is open from October 16, 2023 to January 15, 2024. For more information, go to the programme description: MSc Biostatistics and Data Science
David Callahan