Graduates of the collaborative program in Biostatistics will be capable of working as biostatistical consultants within multi-disciplinary health research teams. This objective will be achieved through coursework that will equip students with a sound knowledge in observational and experimental epidemiologic designs, statistical theory, statistical models for health data analysis, and statistical computing. A four month practicum will allow students to apply basic knowledge and develop consulting expertise within a health research group in a university or industry setting.

Students admitted to the biostatistics specialization will normally have an honours B.Sc. degree with high standing (75% or above) in statistics, mathematics, computer science, biology, life sciences, or health sciences; and strong analytical skills.

To register in the specialization students must complete the enrolment form available from their home department.  Students registered in the specialization will be required to complete 8 term courses (six mandatory courses and two electives) and a practicum. The six required courses will include EPID-801*,EPID-804*, EPID-823*, STAT-862*, STAT-886*and MATH-896* (for students registered in Mathematics and Statistics) OR STAT-853* (for students registered in Community Health and Epidemiology). The remaining two electives are subject to departmental approval.

The practicum will involve a four month placement working on a project pertaining to some aspect of biostatistics applications or a methodological research affiliated with the work of the supervisor. Students must write a report on their practicum and make a presentation to an examining committee.

Students who complete this specialization will have their transcript amended to read that their Master's degree was earned “with a specialization in biostatistics".