MSc Applications
Introduction
Our MSc program has two distinct options (Statistics and Biostatistics), each with its own different set of requirements. In your on-line application, please clearly indicate which option of the program you are seeking admission to.Type of Students Admitted
Successful applicants must show evidence of their genuine interest in our discipline This evidence can be in the form of previous studies in Statistics and/or work experience in an area that uses Statistics. Graduate students at UBC come from a fairly diverse background. While not all of them satisfy all of our admissions guidelines, most of our successful M.Sc. applicants typically have had at least two years of undergraduate mathematics courses (three semesters of calculus, a semester of linear algebra), an introductory statistics course covering the basics of data analysis (plots, histograms, t-tests, confidence intervals, regression), a third year probability course, a third/fourth year mathematical statistics course, and at least one or two more statistics courses at the third or fourth year level.
Recommended Background
Admission success depends a lot on excellent grades and a good selection in undergraduate courses in areas most relevant to graduate courses in statistics.
- Mathematics: minimally, calculus (differentiation, integration, multivariable), linear algebra, advanced calculus (proofs involving limits, continuity etc); in addition, a course in real analysis would be useful as background for more theoretical statistics courses.
- Probability: axioms up to multivariate distributions and limit theorems; stochastic process (could be taken in MSc program).
- Statistics: minimally statistical methods, statistical inference (theory of estimation and hypothesis testing), regression analysis; other useful courses are sample surveys, design of experiments and analysis of variance.
- Computing: programming experience (e.g. C/C++) would be useful background for programming in statistical software such as Splus, R and SAS.
- Courses and Textbooks at UBC (this may give you an idea of the level of the courses referred to above).
Academic Background/Checklist for Admission
The Admissions Committee has outlined the following requirements for admission,- introductory courses in statistics and in probability;
- course in statistical inference;
- course in regression analysis;
- at least 3 of the following courses: introductory stochastic processes, 4th year probability, mathematical statistics, design of experiments;
- preferably two other 3rd or 4th year courses in statistics or computer science.
- For further information on the required background, please see Courses and Textbooks at UBC.
The Admissions Committee will consider courses in fields like measure theory, advanced stochastic processes, or real analysis in place of some of the above courses.
These requirements are additional to the minimum requirements enforced by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. For more information on these minimum requirements, see the Faculty of Graduate Studies Home Page.
Potential international applicants: If your background is limited to a few courses in statistics (for example, degrees in accounting, engineering, computer science, etc.) and you do not match the above requirements, we are unable to proceed with your application if you apply.
Career Paths
Our program has two options: Statistics and Biostatistics. With appropriate courses taken in the MSc program, students can prepare themselves for a career in biostatistics, bioinformatics/genomics, data mining, statistical computing, etc.
If you have an interest in bioinformatics, please note the Training program in bioinformatics.
Application procedures
For detailed University procedures for admission please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies Home Page at http://www.grad.ubc.ca. To apply, you must fill out a Faculty of Graduate Studies on-line application and submit three letters of reference to the Statistics Department, along with a personal statement/statement of interest.
- Faculty of Graduate Studies application form at http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/apply-online (interactive application, pay by credit card). On-line applications will be accepted beginning early October 2013
- Transcripts
- Reference Letter Form (print and send in only if your referees are NOT submitting an online reference). Letters need not be submitted on the form.
- Personal statement/statement of interest: maximum one page. Can be mailed to the Department, or send as an email attachment.
Application Checklist
Admission to our graduate programs is competitive. Only complete applications will be processed. To assist the Graduate Admissions Committee in reaching a decision, please complete and submit the following documents directly to the Graduate Secretary well BEFORE the January 15th deadline.
- Application form for Admission to Graduate Studies.
- Three references, either on the official on-line form or in a letter (send in only if your referees are NOT submitting an online reference). These references must be received by us in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the sender, or by the referee using the online system.
- Two official transcripts (photocopies not acceptable) from all colleges and universities previously or currently attended, including exchange semesters. Transcripts must be sealed and endorsed from the issuing institution. Applicants from China must provide official, sealed copies of degree certificates
- Personal statement/statement of interest: maximum of one page, to be submitted by mail or via email
- Please note that we do NOT require a GRE score
- Please do not send any financial or bank statements to the Department
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Furthermore, for international students only:
- If your transcripts are in a language other than English or French, you must include official certified English translations (one translation per copy). If your transcripts are from a university in the People's Republic of China, you must include an official degree certificate in both English and Chinese.
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Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language. Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to graduate studies are:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum score of 600 (paper version), 250 (computer version), or 100 (internet version); Institution code: 0965 Dept. code: 59
- IELTS (International English Language Testing Service): minimum overall band score of 7.5 with no other component score less than 6.5.
The mailing address for reference forms and official transcripts is:
Graduate Admissions Officer Department of Statistics 3182 Earth Sciences Building 2207 Main Mall University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4Applications cannot be processed or considered until all the required documentation has been received.
Please direct questions related to admission to the Graduate Admissions Officer (admiss@stat.ubc.ca)
Application Tips
- From our experience, it can take up to six weeks from the time you order for your TOEFL score to arrive from ETS. Your score must be received by the January 15th deadline, so make sure you order it by the beginning of December at the latest
- Even when sent via courier, documents from overseas can take quite a long time to reach the Department. From time to time, documents do get lost in the mail. Make sure you order your transcripts with enough time that you can order another set should yours get lost. Unless you are absolutely confident that your transcripts will arrive before the deadline, don't wait for your first semester scores to become available before ordering your transcripts.
- Make sure you give your referees plenty of warning and time to supply you with a reference. Referees need time in order to supply you with a detailed and effective letter. And remember that they are probably writing reference letters for many other students!
- You can monitor the status of your application and documents online. Your application is updated as your documents are received. Because of the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to monitor each application for completeness, and doing so is the responsibility of the applicant. The earlier you submit your application and materials, the more favorably it reflects upon you as a potential graduate student.
