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Epidemiology and Biostatistics

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Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Location

Location

  • Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health
  • 1020 Pine Avenue West
  • Montreal, QC H3A 1A2
  • Canada

About Epidemiology and Biostatistics

About Epidemiology and Biostatistics

The Department offers master's and doctoral programs in both Epidemiology and Biostatistics, as well as a Master's of Science in Public Health. The methods learned in these fields are used not only in the study of diseases, but also in health services research, program planning and evaluation, and policy development. Our faculty members are at the forefront of their research domains and include epidemiologists, biostatisticians, clinician scientists, medical informatics specialists, health economists, medical sociologists, and health geographers. Research in the Department spans all clinical specialties, pharmacoepidemiology, social epidemiology, infectious diseases, population and public health, environmental and occupational health, clinical and public health informatics, biostatistics, health care delivery and organization, and many cross-disciplinary activities. Faculty members may have funding available for students through their research grants. We provide rich research environments at five university-affiliated hospitals, public health agencies, and university research centres. Graduates pursue careers in academia, clinical settings, government agencies, and industry.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2012-2013 (last updated Nov. 22, 2012) (disclaimer)

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Faculty

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Faculty

Chair
R. Fuhrer
Emeritus Professors
M.R. Becklake; M.B.B.Ch., M.D.(Witw.), F.R.C.P.
A. Lippman; B.A.(C'nell), Ph.D.(McG.)
J.C. McDonald; M.B.B.S., M.D.(Lond.), M.Sc.(Harv.), M.R.C.P.(Lond.), F.R.C.P.(C)
I.B. Pless; B.A., M.D.(W. Ont.)
S.H. Shapiro; B.S.(Bucknell), M.S., Ph.D.(Stan.)
G. Thériault; M.D.(Laval), M.I.H., Dr.P.H.(Harv.)
S. Wood-Dauphinee; B.Sc.(Phys.Ther.), Dip.Ed., M.Sc.(A.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Professors Post-Retirement
A. Lippman; B.A.(C'nell), Ph.D.(McG.)
I.B. Pless; B.A., M.D.(W. Ont.)
S.H. Shapiro; B.S.(Bucknell), M.S., Ph.D.(Stan.)
G. Thériault; M.D.(Laval), M.I.H., Dr.P.H.(Harv.)
S. Wood-Dauphinee; B.Sc.(Phys.Ther.), Dip.Ed., M.Sc.(A.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Professors
M. Abrahamowicz; Ph.D.(Cracow) (James McGill Professor)
J.F. Boivin; M.D.(Laval), S.M., Sc.D.(Harv.)
J. Brophy; B.Eng.(McG.), M.Eng., M.D.(McM.), Ph.D.(McG.) (joint appt. with Medicine)
E.L.F. Franco; M.P.H., Dr.P.H.(Chapel Hill) (joint appt. with Oncology) (James McGill Professor)
R. Fuhrer; B.A.(CUNY (Brooklyn Coll.)), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Calif.-San Francisco)
T.W. Gyorkos; B.Sc.(McG.), M.Sc.(Bishop’s), Ph.D.(McG.)
J.A. Hanley; B.Sc., M.Sc.(N.U.I.), Ph.D.(Wat.) (on leave Jan. 2012 to June 2012 and Jan. 2013 to June 2013)
J. Heymann; B.A.(Yale), M.P.H., M.D., Ph.D.(Harv.) (joint appt. with Political Science) (Canada Research Chair)
C. Infante-Rivard; M.D.(Montr.), M.P.H.(Calif.-LA), Ph.D.(McG.), F.R.C.P.(C) (James McGill Professor)
L. Joseph; M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
M.S. Kramer; B.A.(Chic.), M.D.(Yale) (joint appt. with Pediatrics) (James McGill Professor) (on leave Jan. 2012 to June 2013)
J. McCusker; M.D.,C.M.(McG.), M.P.H., Ph.D.(Col.)
R. Menzies; M.D.,C.M., M.Sc.(McG.) (joint appt. with Medicine)
O.S. Miettinen; M.D.(Helsinki), M.P.H., M.S., Ph.D.(Minn.)
G. Paradis; M.D.(Montr.), M.Sc.(McG.)
R.W. Platt; M.Sc.(Manit.), Ph.D.(Wash.) (joint. appt. with Pediatrics)
S. Suissa; M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Flor.) (joint appt. with Medicine) (James McGill Professor)
R. Tamblyn; M.Sc.(McM.), Ph.D.(McG.) (joint appt. with Medicine) (James McGill Professor)
C. Wolfson; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (joint appt. with Medicine)
Associate Professors
O. Basso; Ph.D.(Milan) (joint appt. with Obstetrics & Gynecology)
D. Buckeridge; M.D.(Qu.), M.Sc.(Tor.), Ph.D.(Stan.) (Canada Research Chair)
A. Ciampi; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Qu.), Ph.D.(Rome)
N. Dendukuri; M.Sc.(IIT), Ph.D.(McG.) (PT) (joint appt. with Medicine)
C. Greenwood; B.Sc.(McG.), M.Sc.(Wat.), Ph.D.(Tor.) (joint appt. with Oncology)
P. Héroux; B.Sc.(Laval), M.Sc., Ph.D.(I.N.R.S.)
J. Kaufman; B.A.(Johns Hop.), Ph.D.(Mich.)
A. Manges; B.A.(Col.), M.P.H., Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
M. Pai; M.B.B.S.(Stanley Med. Coll.), M.D.(Christian Medical Coll.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
J. Pickering; B.A.(Tor.), M.D., M.Sc.(McG.) (joint appt. with Medicine)
A. Quesnel-Vallée; B.A., M.Sc.(Montr.), M.A., Ph.D.(Duke) (joint appt. with Sociology)
M. Rossignol; B.Sc., M.D.(Sher.), M.Sc.(McG.)
P. Tousignant; B.A., M.D.(Laval), M.Sc.(McG.), F.R.C.P.(C) (PT)
Assistant Professors
A. Adrien; M.D., M.Sc.(McG.)
A. Benedetti; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (joint appt. with Medicine)
J. Cox; B.Sc., B.A., M.D.(Dal.), M.Sc.(McG), C.C.F.P., F.R.C.P.(C) (joint appt. with Family Medicine)
S. Harper; B.A.(Westminster Coll.), M.S.P.H.(S. Carolina), Ph.D.(Mich.)
A. Labbe; M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Wat.) (joint appt. with Psychiatry)
S. Martin; M.D.(Tor.), M.Sc.(McG.) (PT)
E.E.M. Moodie; B.A.(Winn.), M.Phil.(Camb.), Ph.D.(Wash.)
A. Nandi; B.S.(College of New Jersey), M.P.H.(Col.), Ph.D.(Johns Hop.) (joint appt. with Institute for Health & Social Policy)
L. Patry; B.Sc., M.D.(Laval), F.R.C.P.(C) (PT)
E. Strumpf; B.A.(Smith), Ph.D.(Harv.) (joint appt. with Economics)
G. Tan; D.Phil.(Oxf.) (PT)
Associate Members
Biomedical Ethics Unit: N. King
Dentistry: P. Allison, J. Feine
Dietetics and Human Nutrition: K. Gray-Donald
Family Medicine: A. Andermann, J. Haggerty, T. Tannenbaum
Geography: N. Ross
Medicine: A. Barkun, M. Behr, S. Bernatsky, J. Bourbeau, P. Brassard, T. Brewer, A. Clarke, K. Dasgupta, M. Eisenberg, P. Ernst, M. Goldberg, C. Greenaway, S. Kahn, M. Klein, N. Mayo, N. Pant Pai, L. Pilote, E. Rahme, B. Richards, K. Schwartzman, M. Sewitch, I. Shrier, V. Tagalakis
Ob/Gyn: H. Abenhaim, R. Gagnon
Pathology: B. Case
Pediatrics: G. Dougherty, B. Foster, C. Quach-Thanh
Physical & Occupational Therapy: S. Ahmed
Psychiatry: E. Latimer, A. Malla, N. Schmitz, B. Thombs
Lecturers
J.P. Gauvin, W. Wood
Adjunct Professors
Asociación Civil Selva Amazónica Peru: M. Casapia
Caro Research: J. Caro
Direction régionale de la santé publique: R. Allard, M. Baillargeon, R. Lessard, S. Palmieri, S. Perron, E. Robinson
Harvard Univ.: J. Brownstein
Hôpital Sacré-Coeur: D. Gautrin
Independent: I. Arnold, M.A. Lavoie, J. Lemke, M. Schweigert, L. Scott
INSPQ: F. Richer, P. Robillard, S. Stock
Montreal Chest Hospital Centre: P. Rohan
Mount Sinai: M. Baltzan
Stabilis: P. Simon
Univ. de Montréal: F. Ducharme, R. Massé, J. Siemiatycki
Univ. of S. Australia: J. Lynch
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2012-2013 (last updated Nov. 22, 2012) (disclaimer)

Epidemiology

Epidemiology

The Department offers master's and doctoral programs in both Epidemiology and Biostatistics, as well as a Master's of Science in Public Health. The methods learned in these fields are used not only in the study of diseases, but also in health services research, program planning and evaluation, and policy development. Our faculty members are at the forefront of their research domains and include epidemiologists, biostatisticians, clinician scientists, medical informatics specialists, health economists, medical sociologists, and health geographers. Research in the Department spans all clinical specialties, pharmacoepidemiology, social epidemiology, infectious diseases, population and public health, environmental and occupational health, clinical and public health informatics, biostatistics, health care delivery and organization, and many cross-disciplinary activities. Faculty members may have funding available for students through their research grants. We provide rich research environments at five university-affiliated hospitals, public health agencies, and university research centres. Graduates pursue careers in academia, clinical settings, government agencies, and industry.

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Epidemiology (Thesis) (48 credits)

Applicants to the M.Sc. program should hold a bachelor’s degree in the natural and quantitative sciences (e.g., microbiology, computer science, statistics, economics, geography) or social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology, anthropology), or hold a degree in one of the health professional sciences (e.g., medicine, nursing, social work, nutrition). Applicants must have an interest in health research, along with strong conceptual, analytic, and quantitative skills (differential and integral calculus) at the undergraduate level.

The program leading to a master’s degree is designed to provide training in both theory and practice in the selected discipline. Courses require intellectual and academic rigour, and the program provides students with an opportunity to synthesize the training in the form of a thesis. Students will study the foundations and principles of epidemiology and applied biostatistics, in order to design, conduct, and analyze clinical, population-based, environmental, pharmaco-epidemiological, policy, and methodological health-related research. Graduates of the program often go on to do doctoral work or become research associates in public, private, and academic settings. McGill graduates are known for methodological and quantitative rigour, and quantitative analytic independence. While their core training is in methods, rather than specific substantive areas, students learn about substantive areas in the context of their research and through elective courses.

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Public Health (Non-Thesis) (60 credits)
The mission of the M.Sc.P.H. is to train outstanding public health professionals and future leaders by offering a rigorous academic program in methods, research, and practice. This program may be of interest for students from the natural and quantitative sciences (e.g., microbiology, computer science, statistics, economics, geography), social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology, anthropology), or the health professions (e.g., medicine, nursing, social work, nutrition). Students will study the foundations and principles of epidemiology and biostatistics, as applied to public health research and practice, in order to design, conduct, and analyze clinical, population-based, environmental, policy, and methodological public health-related research. Graduates of the program will serve as public health practitioners, research professionals, and educators, and will possess the competencies and professionalism to carry out broad public health functions in local, provincial, national, and international settings. In exceptional circumstances, the admissions committee may take professional experience into account for mid-career or returning/re-entry applicants. The Master's of Public Health program will include a three-month practicum after the first year, which will provide the student with the opportunity to use knowledge and skills acquired in the academic program in a public health practice or research setting.
Master of Science (M.Sc.); Public Health (Non-Thesis) — Environment (60 credits)
A number of departments and faculties throughout McGill University have joined with the McGill School of Environment (MSE) to provide an Environment Option as part of a variety of existing graduate degrees. The option provides students with an appreciation of the role of science in informed decision-making in the environment sector, and the influence that political, socio-economic, and ethical judgments have. The option also provides a forum whereby graduate students bring their disciplinary perspectives together and enrich each other's learning through structured courses, formal seminars, and informal discussions and networking. Students who have been admitted through their home department or faculty may apply for admission to the option. Option requirements are consistent across academic units. The option is coordinated by the MSE, in partnership with participating academic units.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Epidemiology

This program may be of interest to students from the natural and quantitative sciences (e.g., microbiology, computer science, statistics, economics, geography), social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology, anthropology), or the health professions (e.g., medicine, nursing, social work, nutrition). Applicants must have an interest in health research, along with strong conceptual, analytic, and quantitative skills (differential and integral calculus) at the undergraduate level.

The Ph.D. program prepares students with the advanced epidemiological research skills needed to undertake original contributions to new knowledge related to the determinants of health and disease, prevention, prognosis, treatment, and outcomes. The program is generally completed in four to five years. Graduates will be prepared to engage in scientific collaboration, and communicate results to other scientists and diverse audiences. They will go on to careers in public health, health planning, and quality monitoring in local, regional, federal, and international health authorities, statistical and technology assessment agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, and in clinical and academic research organizations. McGill graduates are known for their methodological and quantitative rigour and quantitative analytic independence. While their core training is in methods, rather than specific substantive areas, students learn about substantive areas in the context of their research and through elective courses.

Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology (30 credits)
Applications to the Diploma program will not be accepted for the 2012–2013 academic year.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2012-2013 (last updated Nov. 22, 2012) (disclaimer)

Epidemiology Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Epidemiology Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Revision, October 2012. Start of revision.

Graduate Diploma

(Applications to the Diploma program will not be accepted for the 2012–2013 academic year.)

Master's

Applicants to the M.Sc. programs must hold a bachelor's degree in a related area, possess a reasonable level of mathematical competency, and have a good knowledge of differential and integral calculus at the level of a CEGEP or first-year undergraduate course.

Ph.D.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program who hold a master's in Epidemiology are eligible for admission to the core year. Applicants with other graduate-level degrees or exceptional students without a master's degree are also eligible and will be considered for admission to a preparatory year.

Complete details on the Epidemiology programs are available on our Departmental website at: www.mcgill.ca/epi-biostat-occh/grad/epidemiology/requirements.

Language Requirement

Minimum TOEFL scores required, when applicable, of 100 on the Internet-based test. Minimum score for IELTS: 6.5.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See Application Procedures (for All Admissions Starting Summer 2013) for detailed application procedures.

Completed applications, with all supporting documents, must reach the Department by the Dates for Guaranteed Consideration.

Please download required documents from our website: www.mcgill.ca/epi-biostat-occh, then select the Graduate Studies tab to link to the appropriate degree program.

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration

Canadian International Special/Exchange/Visiting
Fall: Dec. 15 Fall: Dec. 15 Fall: Apr. 30
Winter: N/A Winter: N/A Winter: Sept. 15
Summer: N/A Summer: N/A Summer: Feb. 28

Revision, October 2012. End of revision.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2012-2013 (last updated Nov. 22, 2012) (disclaimer)

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Epidemiology (Thesis) (48 credits)

Students will study the foundations and principles of epidemiology and applied biostatistics, in order to design, conduct, and analyze clinical, population-based, environmental, policy, and methodological health-related research. Graduates will be prepared to engage in scientific collaboration, and communicate results to other scientists and diverse audiences.

For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.); Epidemiology (Thesis) (48 credits).

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Public Health (Non-Thesis) (60 credits)

Students will study the foundations and principles of epidemiology and biostatistics as applied to public health research and practice, in order to design, conduct, and analyze clinical, population-based, environmental, policy, and methodological public health-related research. The program will include a three-month practicum after the first year.

For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.); Public Health (Non-Thesis) (60 credits).

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Public Health (Non-Thesis) — Environment (60 credits)

Students will study the foundations and principles of epidemiology and biostatistics as applied to public health research and practice, in order to design, conduct, and analyze clinical, population-based, environmental, policy, and methodological public health-related research. The program will include a three-month practicum after the first year.

For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.); Public Health (Non-Thesis) — Environment (60 credits).

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Epidemiology

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Epidemiology .

Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology (30 credits)

(Applications to the Diploma program will not be accepted for the 2012-2013 academic year.)

Required Courses (17 credits)

EPIB 601 (4) Fundamentals of Epidemiology
EPIB 607 (4) Inferential Statistics
EPIB 650 (9) Diploma Dissertation

Note: Students exempted from either EPIB 601 and/or EPIB 607 must replace them with additional complementary course credits.

Complementary Courses

13 credits of coursework, at the 500, 600, or 700 level, chosen in consultation with the student's academic adviser.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2012-2013 (last updated Nov. 22, 2012) (disclaimer)

Biostatistics

Biostatistics

Biostatistics involves the development and application of statistical methods to scientific research in areas such as medicine, epidemiology, environmental health, genetics, and ecology. Biostatisticians play key roles in designing studies—from helping to formulate the questions that can be answered by data collection to the decisions on how best to collect the data—and in analyzing the resulting data. They also develop new statistical methods for such data. Students will take courses, and may do research, on topics such as mathematical statistics, statistical methods for epidemiology, generalized linear models, survival analysis, longitudinal data, and clinical trials. The Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health has one of the largest concentrations of Ph.D.-level statisticians in any Canadian Faculty of Medicine.

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Biostatistics (Thesis) (48 credits)
M.Sc. thesis students study a foundational set of courses, and write a thesis on a topic of their choice. Thesis students should have a strong interest in research. These students are well-placed to either continue in a Ph.D. program or to work in academic research in statistics or medicine; they will also have relevant qualifications for the pharmaceutical industry and government.
Master of Science (M.Sc.); Biostatistics (Non-Thesis) (48 credits)
The M.Sc. non-thesis program is designed to expose students to a wide range of topics including statistical methods for epidemiology, generalized linear models, survival analysis, longitudinal data, and clinical trials. Skills in data analysis, statistical consulting, communication, and report writing are emphasized, and students graduate ready to work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in government, or in academic medical research.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Biostatistics
Applicants should hold a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics or its equivalent. Mastery of calculus, linear algebra, real analysis, and mathematical statistics is essential. Exposure to data analysis is an asset. Exceptional students without a master’s degree will be considered for admission, starting with a Qualifying year. Ph.D. students typically work on development of statistical methods, and can specialize in statistical methods for epidemiology, generalized linear models, Bayesian methods, survival analysis, longitudinal data, causal inference, and clinical trials. Skills in data analysis, statistical consulting, and report writing are emphasized. Ph.D. graduates typically work as faculty in universities, in research institutes, in government, or in the pharmaceutical industry.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2012-2013 (last updated Nov. 22, 2012) (disclaimer)

Biostatistics Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Biostatistics Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Biostatistics

Biostatistics

Revision, October 2012. Start of revision.

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree in mathematics or statistics or its equivalent (an honours degree is preferred, but not required). At least three semesters of calculus, two semesters of linear algebra, at least one, but preferably two semesters of real analysis, and a full year course/sequence in mathematical statistics preferably at an honours level, e.g., MATH 356/357. Exposure to data analysis is an asset.

M.Sc.: Students admitted into the M.Sc. program will, in general, meet the requirements above.

Ph.D.: Exceptional students without a master's degree but with the above qualifications will be considered for Ph.D. admission starting with a Qualifying year.

Complete details on the Biostatistics programs are available on our Departmental website at: www.mcgill.ca/epi-biostat-occh/grad/biostatistics/requirements.

Language Requirement

Minimum TOEFL scores required, when applicable, of 100 on the Internet-based test. Minimum score for IELTS: 6.5.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See Application Procedures (for All Admissions Starting Summer 2013) for detailed application procedures.

Completed applications, with all supporting documents, must reach the Department by the Dates for Guaranteed Consideration. Please see our website at www.mcgill.ca/epi-biostat-occh/grad/biostatistics/applying for information on required documents as well as the application deadline.

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration

Canadian International Special/Exchange/Visiting
Fall: Dec. 15 Fall: Dec. 15 Fall: April 30
Winter: N/A Winter: N/A Winter: Sept. 15
Summer: N/A Summer: N/A Summer: Feb. 15

Revision, October 2012. End of revision.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2012-2013 (last updated Dec. 20, 2012) (disclaimer)

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Biostatistics (Thesis) (48 credits)

Training in statistical theory and methods, applied data analysis, scientific collaboration, communication, and report writing by coursework and thesis.

For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.); Biostatistics (Thesis) (48 credits).

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Biostatistics (Non-Thesis) (48 credits)

Training in statistical theory and methods, applied data analysis, scientific collaboration, communication, and report writing by coursework and project.

For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.); Biostatistics (Non-Thesis) (48 credits).

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Biostatistics

Students will study theoretical and applied statistics and related fields; the program will train them to become independent scientists able to develop and apply statistical methods in medicine and biology and make original contributions to the theoretical and scientific foundations of statistics in these disciplines. Graduates will be prepared to develop new...

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Biostatistics.

Faculty of Medicine—2012-2013 (last updated Nov. 22, 2012) (disclaimer)
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