Admissions

  1. If I am interested in applying for the PhD degree program in Biostatistics after completing my Master’s degree program in Biostatistics, do I need to submit another application?
    Yes. You need to submit another application for our PhD degree program. If selected, you will be invited to participate in one or more interviews with a potential supervisor.
  2. Does completing the thesis option of the Master’s degree program in Biostatistics give me an advantage when I apply for the PhD degree program in Biostatistics?
    No. We use the same criteria for all applicants. Applicants need to demonstrate sufficient research experience and potential through their application regardless of whether they have completed the thesis option in our division or not.

MSc Program

  1. What is the usual course load per session?
    For non-thesis options, students are required to complete 5.0 FCE (equivalent to 10 half courses) to graduate. If students wish to finish their program in 8 months and graduate in June, they will need to take 5 half courses per session on average. Many students take 4 half courses in either the Fall or Winter session, take remaining course(s) in the Summer session, and graduate in November. However, please note that the Summer session timetable is often not finalized until Winter; all required courses are only offered in the Fall and Winter sessions. For the thesis-option, students are expected to complete 4.0 FCE required courses, as well as a research thesis over a two-year period.
  1. When should we reach out to faculty members to ask if they are open to accept research-thesis students?
    It is up to you. You have until March 30th to submit your Thesis Proposal form, approved by your confirmed thesis supervisor. It might be a good idea to start introducing yourself to different faculty members early on, e.g. at the beginning of your study. Please do not approach multiple professors at the same time; have a priority list and reach out to them one by one.
  2. Do we have to enrol in Summer courses?
    If you have completed all the program requirements (5.0 FCE) by the end of April, you may not  enrol in any Summer courses as you must graduate in June. You do have the option of completing your CHL5207Y final report in the Summer session. Please note that CHL5250H also has an optional summer deadline. Many students continue working on their final project after April, but there is an option to complete the course in April to facilitate a June convocation.
  3. Are there any suggestions for course enrolment? Which courses should I select for the Fall, Winter, and Summer sessions?
    Many of our courses are required, and those required courses are not offered every session. If you are a full-time student who is planning to graduate in June or November, you need to enrol in all the required courses offered in the Fall and Winter sessions. We do not offer any required courses in the Summer session.
  4. Are the MSc students who are planning to transfer to the thesis track required to complete CHL5207Y?
    Yes, all our MSc students are required to complete CHL5207Y.

Course Enrolment

  1. Is there a guideline for auditing extra courses?
    Students interested in auditing a course in Public Health Sciences (PHS), or in another department, should approach the instructor. In PHS, it is at the discretion of the instructor to approve such requests, but other units may have a different policy.  For detailed information about auditing courses, please refer to SGS Calendar, General Regulations, Registration and Enrolment (Source: GDPHS Handbook).
  2. Can I take CHL5228H as a first-year MSc student?
    Although the course is designed for PhD students doing thesis work in statistical genetics or genetic epidemiology, MSc students can enrol with permission of the instructors, provided they have the appropriate background.

Fees

  1. I registered and paid for the Fall and Winter sessions. Do we need to pay an extra tuition fee for taking courses in the Summer session of the same academic year?
    Students pay for the Fall and Winter sessions. There is no extra tuition fee for the Summer session. This is another reason our students spread their course workload by extending it into the Summer session. 

Awards and Scholarships

  1. Who should I contact to inquire about awards/scholarships?
    Student Awards and Funding Opportunities can be found on the DLSPH website. You can contact our graduate office at dlsph@utoronto.ca for awards-related inquires.

Internship/Job Opportunities

  1. Is it common that students complete an internship in industry during the summer?
    It is not uncommon. For example, Roche Canada has offered summer internship opportunities and hired some of our students in the past.