One of the key features of this program constitutes a CAPSTONE project in biostatistics under the direction of a faculty member in the department or under the joint direction of a faculty member in the department and an expert in this area from outside the department. The work should include sophisticated data analysis, a simulation study, a review of literature, statistical software development or other activities related to biostatistics. The project must result in a report of 10-15 pages. The student will register for the project as STAT 699 or as PREV 789 depending on whether the faculty advisor is at UMBC or at UMB.

There are a number of course offerings at both schools that would be relevant to the degree and recommended through advising. This would include up to two 400-level statistics courses at the consultation and approval of the student's advisor. Students are required to take at least one elective course at UMB. Students are required to attend a monthly biostatistics seminar.

To serve students' varying range of backgrounds and goals, the department has instituted several "tracks" within its master's degree programs. Each track defines a set of well-focused graduation requirements. Students who intend to continue to the doctoral programs should consider the traditional tracks in applied mathematics or statistics. A student whose final goal is a master's degree should consider the industrial track in applied mathematics or the applications-oriented track in statistics. Most graduate courses are offered in the late afternoon or in the evening to enable the participation of those who hold fulltime employment.