Program
At the University of Saskatchewan, the Biostatistics program prepares you to lead in the world of health data. The program prepares M.Sc. graduates for positions that require expertise in data management, study design, and statistical modelling. The program prepares Ph.D. graduates to assume faculty or other research-oriented positions in academic institutions or to take leadership positions in organizations that conduct health-related research.
Why choose USask for Biostatistics?
- Collaborative program: The Biostatistics Program is a collaborative venture of the School of Public Health, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
- Hands-on learning opportunities: Students engage in classroom learning, lab sessions, and biostatistical consulting with core faculty, gaining practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge.
Quick facts
-
Expected Length Thesis-based Course-based M.Sc. 2 years Ph.D. 4 years - Degree requirements
- Class delivery in-person
- Supervisor approval recommended before applying
- Deadlines and admission details below
Gamechangers in population and public health issues
The USask Biostatistics program prepares students to turn complex data into insights that guide public health decisions and shape the future of health research.
Biostatistics M.Sc. and Ph.D. research areas
Biostatistics is the study of statistical techniques applied to medical, biological and agricultural data. Applications arise in areas such as public health, clinical medicine, veterinary medicine, health services, and occupational/environmental health. The Biostatistics Program provides students with opportunities to study and conduct research in such areas as:
- Design and analysis of clinical trials
- Longitudinal data analysis
- Analysis of complex survey data
- Measurement error
- Survival analysis
- Computational statistics
- Multivariate statistics
- Machine Learning and Spatial Analysis
Research supervisors
Before applying, we recommend contacting a potential supervisor whose research areas align with your interests. Share your academic background and research goals. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Longitudinal Data Analysis, Measurement Errors and Missing Data, Copulas, Statistical/Machine Learning, Dynamic Data Science, Meta-Analysis, Time Series Analysis, Survival Analysis, Biostatistics | |
| Genome evolution; Plant Phenomics; bioinformatics; comparative genomics; computational genomics | |
| Bayesian Statistics; Biostatistics; Changepoint Data Analysis; Joint Modeling; Longitudinal Data Analysis; Recurrent Event Data Analysis; Survival Analysis | |
| Computer Security; Experimental and Sampling Design; Multivariate Statistics; Spatial Statistics; Statistics; Time Series Analysis; applied statistical method | |
| Brain disorder disease; microbiome data; model diagnostics; statistical machine learning | |
| Markov chain Monte Carlo methods; epidemiology; errors-in-variable models; genetics; infectious disease modeling; item response theory; microbiome data; missing data analysis; spatial statistics | |
| Statistical Modeling of Survival Data, Modeling of Missing Observations , Costs of Farm Injuries | |
| Bioinformatics; Combinatorics; Computer Simulation; Monte Carlo simulation; Statistical Mechanics; Statistics; polymers | |
| Applied probability; Markov chains; Queueing networks; Queueing theory; Statistics | |
| Modelling of biopolymers | |
| Analysis of Big Data, Bioinformatics, Machine Learning, Bayesian Methods, Longitudinal Data Problem, Biostatistics, Experiment Design |
Tuition and funding
Funding
There are a limited number of scholarships available to students in this program. When you speak with potential supervisors about the research you would like to do, ask about funding opportunities.
Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.
Tuition and fees
Thesis or project-based master's program
Graduate students in a thesis or project-based program pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.
| Term | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2025 | ||
| January 1 - April 30, 2026 | ||
| May 1 - August 31, 2026 | ||
| Total per academic year |
Student fees
In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.
| Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 CAD |
Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.
Doctoral program
Doctoral students pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program. Both international and domestic Ph.D. students pay the same rate.
| Term | |
|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2025 | $1,812.00 CAD |
| January 1 - April 30, 2026 | $1,812.00 CAD |
| May 1 - August 31, 2026 | $1,812.00 CAD |
| Total per academic year | $5,436.00 CAD |
Student fees
In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.
| Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 CAD |
Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.
Admission requirements
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 75% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
- A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of studies such as mathematics, statistics, applied statistics, biostatistics, quantitative psychology, or any other discipline with a strong background in mathematics or statistics
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
- Master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 75% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. coursework required in master's program)
- Completed course content in Mathematical Statistics, Statistical Inference or equivalent courses at the senior undergraduate level
To be eligible for admission as a Ph.D. student, an applicant must have taken the following courses (or equivalents) during their M.Sc. program: CHEP 800.3 (Epidemiology I), STAT 850.3 (Mathematical Statistics and Inference), and PUBH 842.3 (Current Topics in Biostatistics and Statistical Applications).
Application process and deadlines
Deadlines and important dates
There is no set deadline for applying to this program. Applications are accepted continuously, with intakes available for the September, January, and May terms.
Submit an online application
International Students - Master’s and doctoral students applying for a study permit do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma students, as well as Visiting Research students studying over six months, still need a PAL. Review federal international study permit policies before you apply.
Before beginning your online application, be sure that you have carefully reviewed all program information and admission requirements on this page.
During the application, you'll be asked for:
- Personal information such as your name, address, etc.
- Contact information of your three referees
- For your letters of recommendation, two of your referees must be academic contacts, and the third may be academic or professional
- Your complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions
The application takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may save your application and return to it later.
At the end of the application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee: $125 for domestic students and $145 for international students. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.
Submit required documents
Once you've submitted your online application, you will have access to upload your required documents, and provide the contact information for your references. To do this, go to the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab in your application.
Preliminary Statement of Marks
- Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
- The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college and must include a grading key/legend.
- All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
- Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
- Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:
- Completing a relevant test with the appropriate score is required before the application deadline.
- Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
- Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.
You may be required to submit the following documents:
- A research statement that describes the individual's proposed area of research and how it links with the supervisor's area(s) of research expertise. This description should be 1,200 to 1,500 words in length
- A curriculum vitae or resume
- A writing sample of 1,000 to 1,200 words that includes a statement of education and employment history and how it relates to the study of biostatistics, a description of your educational and career goals, and an assessment of how the collaborative Biostatistics Program will help to achieve these goals.
- A letter of support from your proposed supervisor
The programs committee may invite the applicant for a personal interview.
Contact
Biostatistics Program
School of Public Health
104 Clinic Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4
Program Chair
Dr. Punam Pahwa
Email: thesis.admissions@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Email: thesis.admissions@usask.ca
- School of Public Health
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements