This program is intended for students who have completed a Mathematics or Statistics degree in a Science and/or a Mathematics program, or a degree in a related area, and wish to further their knowledge of biostatistics. It covers a wide range of statistical methodology and applications for students and practitioners who want to work in health-related fields, including medicine, biology, public health and epidemiology.

To gain entry to this program, students must have:
1. completed a Mathematics or Statistics degree in a Science and/or Mathematics program, or a degree in a related area;
2. sufficient mathematical/statistical background, and an average above 65% in the relevant level III courses; and
3. shown some evidence of the ability to undertake independent study.

A formal application must be made by applying
through this online link.

Honours graduates in Statistics may be exempted from a maximum of one third of the courses and could complete the degree with one year of full time study.

In addition, students must have permission of the Head of School or Nominee. Qualifying programs are available for students who do not meet the standard entry requirements. Prospective international students should note that this program has English language requirements.

The program is oriented towards graduates with a degree in an area with a significant quantitative component (such as Science, Engineering, Finance, Economics, Actuarial science, Psychology, Epidemiology or Bioinformatics), who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in statistical and computational methods appropriate to biostatistics. It is an appropriate program for graduates who wish to work as biostatisticians. The program draws on contributions from specialists in Statistics and Public Health at UNSW as well as relevant UNSW Research Centres and Hospitals for which Biostatistics is essential.

Students will learn the key theories and their application in a variety of modes including class room instruction at an advanced level, project work within the various required and elective courses, interaction with researchers in relevant discipline areas and transfer of knowledge especially in computer methods and software package use and project preparation and presentation via teamwork. Course based individual and group assignments and presentations, individual and group computer project work and data analysis, course mid-session tests and final exams and preparation of a substantial report.

The program consists of ten lecture courses, each of 6 units of credit (UoC) and a supervised project of 12 UoC. The project is compulsory and students are typically enrolled in it in two consecutive semesters. The total number of UoC required for the program is 72. Part-time students are expected to complete the project in two consecutive semesters.

The project will be supervised by an academic staff member of the School in an area agreed to by the student and supervisor. The project could include a literature survey and a critical analysis of the topic area; or could be a small research project.

The core set of compulsory courses, listed below, is desgined to give a deep knowledge of the fundamentals of biostatistics.

Students may choose the remaining courses from a list of elective graduate level courses but in any given year only a subset of these courses is offered. Click here on the School of Mathematics and Statistics for a description on the courses to be offered in each year. Each candidate's proposed program of study requires the approval of the Head of School or Nominee.

Please refer to the School of Mathematics and Statistics website for more information.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html