Program Overview

The Master of Science (MSc) specializing in Biostatistics is a collaborative program jointly offered by the Department of Public Health Sciences and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Through a combination of coursework and a practicum, this program equips students with a sound knowledge in observational and experimental study designs, statistical theory, statistical models for health data analysis, and statistical computing.

The MSc Biostatistics is a full-time, in-person, 12-month, program with a four-month practicum. The practicum provides students with opportunities to apply basic knowledge and develop consulting expertise within a health research group in an academic or industry setting.

With combined resources in the two departments, students in the collaborative program will have unique opportunities to develop the biostatistical skills and practical experience needed to interact with practitioners and to work on research projects in a variety of health areas. When all program requirements are completed satisfactorily, students will be awarded either an MSc in Public Health Sciences, Specializing in Biostatistics (if they are registered in the Department of Public Health Sciences) OR an MSc in Mathematics and Statistics with Specialization in Biostatistics (if they are registered in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics).

The table below illustrates the typical course and milestone sequence for a full-time MSc Biostatistics student:

Elective MSc Courses Offered by the Department

Students choose their electives in consultation with their supervisor or co-supervisors. Ideally, electives will be finalized prior to starting each term. Students can consult the Department's course catalog.

Courses Offered Outside the Department

Select graduate courses from other Departments may be taken as electives upon permission of the student's supervisor, Course Instructor, Department, and the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA). Please reach out to the Graduate Assistant for information.

Courses in other Departments that may be interest include but are not limited to:

Elective MSc Courses Offered by the Department

Courses Offered Outside the Department

Program Contacts

Affiliated Research Groups