M5017 Graduate Diploma of Biostatistics
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Graduate Diploma of Biostatistics (M5017) is a 48-credit-point, graduate diploma course from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, taught at Alfred Hospital. Map your units semester by semester with the MonMap planner.
- Credit points
- 48
- Campus
- Alfred Hospital
- Online
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisite map
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Overview
This course, offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, will provide you with a broad range of theory and techniques especially designed for health professionals wishing extensive upskilling in biostatistical methods. The course will assist you in understanding the mathematical background, theory and application of the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics in health and medical research. It will also enable you to develop the analytical skills to become statistically self-sufficient.
Units in this degree are offered in conjunction with partner universities in the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA), a consortium of leading universities in Australia established to jointly develop and deliver a distance-based program in biostatistics.
Course structure
Core studies36 credit points
Note: You may be eligible for credit for a core unit from prior studies and you may elect not to receive the credit and complete an alternative elective unit in biostatistics in its place.
- EPM5003Principles of statistical inferenceNo reviews yet6 cp
- EPM5005Data management and statistical computingNo reviews yet6 cp
- EPM5026Mathematical foundations for biostatisticsNo reviews yet6 cp
- EPM5027Regression modelling for biostatistics 1No reviews yet6 cp
- EPM5028Regression modelling for biostatistics IINo reviews yet6 cp
- MPH5040Introductory epidemiologyNo reviews yet6 cp
Elective studies12 credit points
- a minimum of 6 credit points (one unit) from the list of Specified elective studies
- a maximum of 6 credit points (one unit) from the list of Additional elective studies
Specified elective studies
Additional elective studies
Master of Data Science (C6004)
6 credit pointsMaster of Public Health (M6024)
6 credit pointsMaster of Clinical Research (M6028)
6 credit pointsMaster of Business Analytics (B6022)
6 credit pointsThe handbook's description of this structure
The course comprises 48 credit points of study, consisting of 36 points of Core studies plus 12 credit points of Elective studies.
These studies will provide you with the core epidemiological, mathematical and statistical foundations required for biostatistical practice and study of advanced biostatistical methods. The units provide theoretical and practical experience in calculus, probability distributions, computing and statistical inference and are followed by applications of these principles to regression modelling fundamental for the practice of biostatistics. The elective choices allow you to obtain more detailed study in the area of clinical trials, clinical research or survey/observational data analyses.
Course progression map
The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.
The course comprises 48 points.
Note: You may be eligible for credit for a core unit from prior studies and you may elect not to receive the credit and complete an alternative elective unit in biostatistics in its place.
Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.
Core studies (36 credit points)
You must complete the following units:
- EPM5003 Principles of statistical inference
- EPM5005 Data management and statistical computing
- EPM5026 Mathematical Foundations of biostatistics
- EPM5027 Regression Modelling for Biostatistics I
- EPM5028 Regression Modelling for Biostatistics II
- MPH5040 Introductory epidemiology
AND
Elective studies (12 credit points)
You must complete a total 12 credit points at level 5 or higher comprising:
- a minimum of 6 credit points (one unit) from the list of Specified elective studies
- a maximum of 6 credit points (one unit) from the list of Additional elective studies
Specified elective studies
You must complete at least one 6cp unit from the following:
- EPM5001 Health Indicators and health surveys
- EPM5006 Clinical Biostatistics
- EPM5007 Design of randomised controlled trials
- EPM5017 Machine learning for biostatistics
- EPM5018 Causal Inference
Additional elective studies
You may complete at most one 6cp unit (for which you meet the enrolment rules), from the course progression maps of the following courses:
- Master of Data Science (C6004) – excluding MAT9004, FIT5197, FIT5149, BMS5021
- Master of Public Health (M6024) – excluding MPH5041, MPH5200, MPH5270
- Master of Clinical Research (M6028) - excluding MPH5041, MPH5200, MPH5270
- Master of Business Analytics (B6022) – excluding ETC5510, ETC5242, ETC5521, ETC5250
Learning outcomes
These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.
Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:
- 1
demonstrate a sound understanding of epidemiological study design and the theory and application of the major areas of biostatistics relevant to professional practice
- 2
identify the relevant statistical issues in practical problems in medical/health settings and to propose an appropriate statistical design and/or analysis methodology
- 3
collect and manage data, apply quality control procedures and handle data in an ethical manner
- 4
employ skills in statistical analyses to handle practical problems using modern statistical techniques and software
- 5
communicate practical biostatistical issues with clinical/health personnel
- 6
understand and explain methodological papers in the biostatistical literature
- 7
put into practice professional codes of conduct and ethical standards such as those of the Statistical Society of Australia
- 8
demonstrate the practical and technical skills needed to progress to further postgraduate studies in biostatistics.
Entry requirements
English language
Monash Level A, that is: IELTS (Academic): 6.5 overall (no band lower than 6.0); or Pearson Test of English (Academic): score of 58 overall with no band lower than 50; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 79 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 21, Listening: 12, Reading: 13 and Speaking: 18; or Equivalent approved English test
More information
Progression to further studies
Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to the Master of Biostatistics.
Professional accreditation
Students graduating with the Graduate Diploma obtain automatic accreditation status as Graduate Statistician (GStat) upon application to the Statistical Society of Australia.
Other information
This course, offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, will provide you with a broad range of theory and techniques especially designed for health professionals wishing extensive upskilling in biostatistical methods. The course will assist you in understanding the mathematical background, theory and application of the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics in health and medical research. It will also enable you to develop the analytical skills to become statistically self-sufficient.
Units in this degree are offered in conjunction with partner universities in the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA), a consortium of leading universities in Australia established to jointly develop and deliver a distance-based program in biostatistics.
Common questions
Where can I study Graduate Diploma of Biostatistics?
At Alfred Hospital.
How do I plan my Graduate Diploma of Biostatistics units?
Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.