Master of Science with a specialization in Biostatistics (Mathematical and Statistical Sciences)

Program Requirements

The MSc with a specialization in Biostatistics may be taken as a thesis-based program or a course-based program.

Thesis-based MSc

Students are required to complete a minimum of 20 units in graduate-level coursework, including a colloquium requirement, a practicum requirement, and a thesis.

Coursework (18 units)

STAT 532
STAT 562
STAT 566 OR STAT 664
At least two of
- SPH 597
  OR SPH 596 and a 1-unit SPH course in Epidemiology (SPH 561 is recommended)
- SPH 696
One of the following
- STAT 561
- STAT 568
- STAT 575
- STAT 578
- Other approved options may be taken.
All coursework must be chosen in consultation with the supervisor
All coursework to be counted towards the program requirements must be approved by the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies)
Additional coursework may be required.

Graduate Colloquium (2 units)

Students must complete two terms of MATH 601 and give a presentation in the Graduate Colloquium.

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES.

Training and Consulting Centre

As part of the educational experience, thesis-based MSc students in the Biostatistics program can participate as consultants in the Training and Consulting Centre (TCC), after having completed 39 hours as TCC observers. They are academically evaluated by the Director of the TCC. Graduate Research Assistantship Fellowships may be provided to the thesis-based graduate students involved in the TCC as consultants.

Course-based MSc

Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 units in graduate-level coursework, including a 6-unit internship or capping project.

Coursework (24 units)

STAT 514
STAT 515
STAT 532
STAT 562
STAT 566 OR STAT 664
At least two of
- SPH 597
  OR SPH 596 and a 1-unit SPH course in Epidemiology (SPH 561 is recommended)
- SPH 696
One of the following
- STAT 561
- STAT 568
- STAT 575
- STAT 578
- Other approved options may be taken.
All coursework must be chosen in consultation with the supervisor
All coursework to be counted towards the program requirements must be approved by the Academic Director of Graduate Studies
Additional coursework may be required.

Internship or Capping project (6 units)

Students must complete either:

A relevant biostatistics internship enrolling in STAT 903 , or
A capping project enrolling in STAT 900 A/B

Residence Requirement

The minimum period of residence for the course-based and thesis-based MSc programs in Biostatistics is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.

For part-time students, residence requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Length of Program

The MSc programs are designed to be competed in 20-24 months.

The maximum time to complete the thesis-based MSc program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is four years.

The maximum time to complete the course-based MSc program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.