Course details

Summary

The Master of Science (MSc) programme enables you to pursue advanced study in your area of interest with the opportunity to work on independent research.

Programme overview

Studying for an MSc is an opportunity for committed scientists to focus on a relevant area of interest or practise and pursue an advanced qualification. While taught masters will provide you with specialist training in your chosen field, a research masters will develop advanced research skills, working alongside Faculty of Science researchers - many of whom are major contributors in their field.

Statistics

Statistics is important for anyone who wants to be able to look critically at numerical information and not be easily misled. It is important for anyone who has problems to solve, problems they won't be able to solve until they find out a little more about the world and how it operates - from finding ways to make a business more profitable right through to improving living standards and fighting cancer.

Our recent graduates have found employment in industry, research institutes, medical research teams, government departments, market research companies, insurance companies, investment banks, and in universities. For many of these jobs, a postgraduate degree has been essential.

Career opportunities

The sheer diversity of applications of statistics makes it exciting. In one week, a practicing statistician could help to investigate a case of disputed authorship, design an experiment to evaluate the effects of a new treatment for a disease, analyse a set of data gathered by an ecologist, and help a freight carrier to study his or her work processes to find ways of making the company more profitable.

One of the more interesting applications of statistics which leads to employment is Operations Research. This involves the development of ways of managing large systems. This may involve cost minimisation or modelling and forecasting, and be applied to such fields as inventory control, scheduling problems, production planning or faming such as bids for contracts or political campaigns. It may deal with issues such as reliability of equipment, location problems, or how to service customers to best advantage.

Statisticians are found in all branches of Government and commerce, particularly those students who opt to do a conjoint degree with Commerce. Other avenues are in product testing, market research and advertising.

Requirements: Research Masters

90 points: STATS 798 Masters Thesis in Statistics

30 points, subject to approval by the Head of Department, from 600 or 700 level courses in Statistics or related subjects

Taught Masters

30 points: STATS 790 Masters Dissertation 1

15 points: STATS 732

At least 45 points from STATS 701–787, BIOINF 704, POPLHLTH 702, 707–709, 711

Up to 30 points from 700 level courses in Statistics or related subjects, as approved by the Head of Department

Further study options

Doctor of Philosophy

Other Master of Science (MSc) Subjects

Applied Mathematics, Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Science, Biosecurity and Conservation, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Forensic Science, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Logic and Computation, Marine Science, Mathematics, Medical Statistics, Optometry, Pharmacology, Physics, Physiology, Psychology, Speech Science, Sport and Exercise Science, Wine Science.

Entry criteria

The prerequisite is a PGDipSci in Speech Science, or equivalent as approved by the Chair of the Board of Studies.

English language requirements: