Course details

Summary

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) is a one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree. The diploma encompasses both papers and a research topic, and can be taken full-time or part-time. It provides entry to the Master of Science (MSc) degree by thesis only.

Statistics as a field of study is concerned with the collection, analysis and interpretation of numerical data. The main emphasis is on the role of random variation in observations that are made, which is why statistical theory is built on the concepts of probability.

Although the study of statistics in any depth requires some proficiency in algebra and calculus, it is not just another branch of mathematics. The use of statistical methods requires skills in problem formulation, computing and the assessment of evidence that are not always closely related to mathematical ability. Furthermore, a key ingredient for being a successful statistician is the ability to communicate complex ideas to other people in written and verbal reports.

Statistics can be studied at all undergraduate levels at the University of Otago. Many students take a first year Statistics paper as a prerequisite for their main subject of interest, or just because it is generally useful to have some knowledge of basic quantitative methods. Often these students then continue the subject with papers at 200-level and 300-level while majoring in disciplines like Botany, Ecology, Economics, Finance, Geography, Marketing Management, Psychology or Zoology.

Other students study Statistics as their major subject because they:

are looking for a practical and useful application of their mathematical abilities, with good employment prospects
would like to work with researchers, in a wide range or disciplines, in solving important problems
want a job which involves them in contributing to policy or management decisions for government or private industry
have a concern for social or environmental issues and want to use their skills in biological, environmental or medical research.

Papers

STAT 490 Dissertation

Four 400-level STAT papers

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).

Every applicant shall have fulfilled one of the following conditions: have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Science majoring in the subject or subjects of study proposed; have been admitted with the status of one who is entitled to proceed to the diploma; have a qualification acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and produce evidence satisfactory to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of ability to proceed to the diploma.

English Language Requirements

IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.