Applicants to the M.Sc. program should preferably hold a bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences (e.g., chemistry, microbiology, human genetics), quantitative sciences (e.g., computer science, statistics), or social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology, economics, geography), 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 (e.g., differential and integral calculus, statistics) 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.

This program provides in-depth training in methods used in Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) and the application of these methods to study the effects of environmental and occupational exposures on human health. Students will be provided with tools to critically evaluate studies in EOH and be able to participate in these studies; learn how to apply specific methods to environmental and occupational problems; and understand how to apply research results to public health or policy. Career opportunities exist in academia, industry, and the public health sectors. Each student will be assigned a supervisor to provide guidance for their project. Research topics must relate to environmental and occupational health and receive approval from the program coordinating committee.

Applicants to the Pharmacoepidemiology Option of the M.Sc. (Non-Thesis) program should hold a bachelor's degree in the natural or quantitative sciences (e.g., chemistry, microbiology, computer science, statistics, economics) or hold a degree in one of the health professional sciences (e.g., medicine, pharmacy). Applicants must have an interest in the epidemiology of medications, along with strong conceptual, analytic, and quantitative skills (e.g., differential and integral calculus, statistics) at the undergraduate level. The Pharmacoepidemiology Option is designed to provide training in both theory and practice of pharmacoepidemiology. Students will study the foundations and principles of epidemiology and applied biostatistics in order to design, conduct, and analyze pharmacoepidemiological research. Courses require intellectual and academic rigour, and the program provides students with an opportunity to obtain specialized training in pharmacoepidemiology, including pharmacoepidemiologic methods, pharmacology for pharmacoepidemiologists, and practical experience in the form of a research project. Graduates of the program often go on to do doctoral work or become research associates in public, private, and academic settings. McGill has a world-renowned reputation for excellence in pharmacoepidemiology, and McGill-trained pharmacoepidemiologists are known for methodological and quantitative rigour, and quantitative analytic independence.

This program may be of interest to students from the natural or quantitative sciences (e.g., microbiology, computer science, statistics, economics, geography), quantitative social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology), 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 (e.g., differential and integral calculus, statistics) at the undergraduate and master's levels.

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.

Students admitted to the Ph.D. degree in Epidemiology who have an interest in global health can receive additional recognition for completing the Global Health Option within their degree program. Students can fulfill the requirements for both the Ph.D. and the Global Health Option within the normal Ph.D. timeline. Over and above the core Ph.D. training, students in the Global Health Option will undertake global health-dedicated coursework and their thesis will be of relevance to global health. This additional global health training will provide students with insight into the major global health challenges of today's world. This area of study, research, and practice prioritizes improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. McGill and its affiliated hospitals have close to 200 researchers involved in global health work, from basic biomedical research on tropical diseases to large-scale population studies on the social determinants of health. Students at McGill can be exposed to the work of 20 teams working in all major areas of global health, including Infectious and Tropical Diseases; Global Environmental Health; and Global Mental Health, among others. For more information, visit mcgill.ca/globalhealth. With this additional Global Health qualification, Ph.D. graduates will benefit from opportunities for future training or work in those institutions or organizations that are active in global health.

The Pharmacoepidemiology Option of the Ph.D. Program may be of interest to students from the natural or quantitative sciences (e.g., microbiology, computer science, biostatistics, statistics, economics), Public or Population Health, or Epidemiology, or who hold a degree in one of the health professional sciences (e.g., medicine, pharmacy). Applicants must have an interest in the epidemiology of medications, along with strong conceptual, analytic, and quantitative skills (e.g., differential and integral calculus, statistics) at the undergraduate level. The Pharmacoepidemiology Option prepares students with the advanced epidemiological research skills needed to undertake original contributions to new knowledge related to pharmacoepidemiology. The program is generally completed in four to five years. In addition to obtaining advanced training in the foundations and principles of epidemiology and applied biostatistics as part of the Ph.D. program, students in the Pharmacoepidemiology Option receive specialized training in pharmacoepidemiology, including advanced pharmacoepidemiologic methods, pharmacology for pharmacoepidemiologists, and practical experience in pharmacoepidemiology through their doctoral thesis. 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 pharmacoepidemiology in public, private, and academic settings. With a world-renowned reputation for excellence in pharmacoepidemiology, McGill-trained pharmacoepidemiologists are known for methodological and quantitative rigour, and quantitative analytic independence.

The Population Dynamics Option (PDO) is a cross-disciplinary, cross-faculty graduate program offered by the Centre on Population Dynamics (CPD) as an option within existing master’s and doctoral programs in the Departments of Sociology, Economics, and Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health (EBOH) at McGill University. Students who have been admitted through their home department or faculty may apply for admission to the option. The option is coordinated by the CPD, in partnership with participating academic units.

Thus, in addition to the rigorous training provided in the Department of EBOH, graduate students who choose this option become Centre on Population Dynamics (CPD) student trainees. This affiliation offers opportunities for interdisciplinary research and supervision. The option also provides a forum whereby students bring their disciplinary perspectives together and enrich each other's learning through structured courses, a weekly seminar series, and informal discussions and networking.

With interdisciplinary research being increasingly important to understanding complex social and biological processes, CPD student trainees benefit from both a strong disciplinary foundation from their departmental affiliations, as well as from the sharing of knowledge across disciplinary boundaries through CPD activities.

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.

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.

Applicants should hold a master’s degree in statistics or biostatistics. Previous coursework in calculus, linear algebra, real analysis, and mathematical statistics is essential. Exposure to data analysis is an asset. 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, or other topics. 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.