Biostatistics

Graduates from the Biostatistics Division will be well suited to work as independent researchers within a university setting, and to take a leadership or supervisory role in university research institutes, government departments, hospitals, pharmaceutical/health corporations, and other health agencies such as cancer research units.

Required Courses

• All students are required to take the courses listed here. Those who have completed them at the Master’s level and have achieved at least an A-, may be given an exemption and be required to replace these courses with electives.
• Students who have taken their MSc in the department, may have taken some or all of these courses already. In this case their program of study will be designed with consultation of the program director at the time of admission.

Comprehensive Examination

PhD students are required to attempt the comprehensive exam within the first year of entering the program. The examination, which is usually offered in the late summer, involves both theoretical and practical components, divided into three parts. The theoretical component comprises two in-class exams of 5 hours each, the first (Part I) covering foundations such as probability and mathematical statistics, and the second (Part II) covering biostatistical methodology. The format for the practical component (Part III) is a take-home exam, where the student is given one week to submit a report which summarizes the statistical analysis of at least one dataset.

• Master’s degree with research experience from a recognized university*
• A- (A minus) average in Master’s program in a relevant area of study
• Research experience