Colorado State University

What you'll study

The programme provides a strong foundation in calculus and linear algebra, probability and theoretical statistics, together with applied courses in regression, experimental design and statistical computing. Core subjects typically include probability theory, mathematical statistics, applied regression, multivariate methods and time series. Biostatistics‑focused units introduce topics such as survival analysis, longitudinal data analysis, categorical data methods, statistical genetics and the design and analysis of clinical trials.

• Mathematical and foundational courses: calculus sequence, linear algebra, probability and mathematical statistics.
• Applied statistics: regression and model building, analysis of variance, experimental design, multivariate analysis.
• Biostatistics and life‑science applications: survival analysis, longitudinal data, categorical data analysis, epidemiologic methods and statistical genetics.
• Computing and data skills: statistical programming (R and/or Python), data management, reproducible research, and simulation methods.
• Capstone and experiential learning: a senior capstone or practicum project, opportunities for undergraduate research with faculty, and internships with local hospitals, public‑health agencies or biotech companies.

Entry requirements

Admission to the undergraduate programme normally requires a secondary school diploma or equivalent. Successful applicants have a solid mathematics background, including coursework in algebra and precalculus; completion of first‑year calculus before or early in the degree is strongly recommended. Prospective students should demonstrate quantitative readiness through prior coursework or standardised test results where required.

Transfer applicants are considered from community colleges and other universities; transfer credit evaluation will determine which preparation courses remain. International applicants must meet the university’s academic and English language requirements. Applicants with relevant computer programming or statistics experience will be well prepared for advanced coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates with a biostatistics emphasis are prepared for roles that bring statistical methods to public‑health and life‑sciences problems. Typical entry‑level positions include statistician or data analyst in clinical research organisations, pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, public‑health agencies, hospitals, and environmental or agricultural research groups. Other common paths are working for state or federal health departments, genomics and bioinformatics teams, or consulting firms that support clinical trials and regulatory submissions.

Many graduates also continue to graduate study in biostatistics, statistics, epidemiology, public health, bioinformatics or data science; an undergraduate degree from Colorado State gives solid preparation for master’s or PhD programmes and for certification pathways common in clinical research professions.

Why study at Colorado State University

Colorado State University offers an undergraduate statistics programme embedded in a research‑active environment with access to life‑science disciplines across campus. Students benefit from collaborations with public‑health researchers, the veterinary and medical research communities, and local biotech and healthcare employers in the Fort Collins–Denver corridor.

The department emphasises hands‑on learning through capstones, internships and undergraduate research with faculty, and provides training in contemporary statistical computing tools. Small class sizes in upper‑division courses, advising support, and opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary teams make CSU a practical choice for students aiming to apply statistics to biological and health problems.