Program Description: Biostatisticians are quantitative scientists who use their mathematical talents to address important problems in public health and medicine.  Because few undergraduate programs in biostatistics exist, most undergraduate students are entirely unaware of the discipline. This lack of exposure of undergraduates to biostatistics is particularly acute for underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities.

One educational goal of the UNC Department of Biostatistics is to recruit and retain a diverse, talented, and accomplished student body with special efforts to recruit US (and especially minority) students and provide them the needed support to excel. The Biostatistics Summer Undergraduate Research and Education (BSURE) Program is designed with unique features to help reach that goal.

The BSURE program is a 10-week summer undergraduate program in the UNC Department of Biostatistics, part of the nationally-ranked UNC School of Public Health (tied with Harvard for #2 in 2007). BSURE seeks outstanding undergraduate students with skills in the mathematical or statistical sciences who may be interested in pursuing advanced degrees in biostatistics. BSURE will train students in biostatistical theory, statistical computation, and data management, and students will get hands-on experience analyzing public health data under the direction of UNC faculty mentors.  

Undergraduate students will enter the program after completing their sophomore year and will be encouraged to spend two summers in the program.  In order to enhance the learning process, students will work in pairs on a research project with a faculty mentor.  BSURE encourages applicants to invite a qualified friend to join them for two summers of advanced achievement and fun in an exciting field of study, biostatistics, and in one of the best places in the country to live, Chapel Hill, NC.  

Qualifications: This program is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents only.  Historically underrepresented students (e.g., African American, American Indian, Hispanics with origins in Mexico, South or Central America or Caribbean Islands) will be particularly targeted, though all students are eligible to apply.  

The applicant (rising junior) should have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and a 3.5 GPA or higher in mathematics courses.  The minimum mathematics requirement is two semesters of calculus (or the equivalent). Additional mathematics courses, exposure to statistics, and some familiarity with computer programming are preferable, though not required.  

Application Process and Program Support: BSURE is affiliated with the Summer Pre-Graduate Research Experience Program (SPGRE), a component of the UNC Research Education Support Program, which provides program support including online application, an opportunity to participate in social activities, special seminars related to research and graduate programs, and a GRE preparatory workshop. Click here to access SPGRE’s website to apply to the BSURE program via the SPGRE online application and to learn more about application deadlines and program support. When completing the online application, you MUST note in the Statement of Interest that you are applying as a perspective BSURE student.    

Note: BSURE is separately administered from SPGRE. When accessing the SPGRE website, please note that wherever SPGRE and BSURE differ, BSURE’s guidelines take precedence. For example, SPGRE gives preference to students who have completed their junior year, and students spend one summer in the program. BSURE gives preference to students who have completed their sophomore year, and students are encouraged to spend two summers in the program.