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 3 October 2011
- 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, to be mailed to the department.
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.
- Application fee of $90 CDN for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents, and $150 CDN for most international applicants (see http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/online-application-fee for countries with waivers). The fee is non-refundable and is valid for only one academic year. The application fee is paid on-line at the time the application form is submitted.
- 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.
- Two official transcripts (photocopies not acceptable) from all colleges and universities previously or currently attended. 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 mailed 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. 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);
- 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 Secretary
Department of Statistics
333-6356 Agricultural Road
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z2
Applications cannot be processed or considered until all the required documentation has been received. 