[pappymajek]

I just wanted to ask a very general question. Is it likely that a medical graduate will be accepted to do an MSc statistics programme? Has anyone with a medical degree ever applied to do one here? I have e-mailed some of the universities but waiting to hear back from them. I am guessing MSc in statistics is very heavily mathematical and seeing that medicine isn't, im just wondering whether its even feasible to go straight for an MSc in Statistics without any maths background.

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

[Ilustrius]

Which statistics courses are you looking at? I'm thinking of applying to one or two myself, but I'm an Engineering student so I'm not too sure if I'm eligible.

[shiny]

(Original post by pappymajek)
Is it likely that a medical graduate will be accepted to do an MSc statistics programme?

The MSc in Social Statistics at Southampton maybe suitable else, in general, it would be very difficult as some undergraduate training in mathematics would be expected.

[shiny]

(Original post by Ilustrius)
Which statistics courses are you looking at? I'm thinking of applying to one or two myself, but I'm an Engineering student so I'm not too sure if I'm eligible.

Engineering is fine.

[Ilustrius]

(Original post by shiny)
Engineering is fine.

What about MSc Applied Statistics at Oxford?

[shiny]

(Original post by Ilustrius)
What about MSc Applied Statistics at Oxford?

Yeah, Engineering preferably with an above average amount of mathematical content (i.e. 3rd/4th year options in signal processing, machine learning, pattern recognition, etc) should be fine.

[shiny]

(Original post by Ilustrius)
What about MSc Applied Statistics at Oxford?

Yeah, Engineering should be fine. There is a FAQ on the website with further info about prerequisites.

[Ilustrius]

(Original post by shiny)
Yeah, Engineering preferably with an above average amount of mathematical content (i.e. 3rd/4th year options in signal processing, machine learning, pattern recognition, etc) should be fine.

Ah.. I do Civil Engineering so we don't cover signal processing etc. But I have done stuff like differential equations, multivariate calculus, taylor & mclaurin series and linear algebra in my first year (81%), a module in computational statistics this year (scored 85% and top 5 out of 118 in class), and am applying a lot of linear algebra in structural mechanics, and laplace transforms in dynamics. Will also be doing finite element analysis for my 3rd year, next year.

I e-mailed some current MSc Applied Stats students at Oxford, and one of the replies was this:

"I did a Maths with Economics degree, and most of the people did have maths in their degree, but there were certainly a few who didn't. Not sure that I can think of any engineers, but a friend of mine had a political background. I'd say that you don't need a mathematical background (linear algebra won't help you here), but that it could be difficult without some basic statistics knowledge. Having said that, there is absolultely no reason that you couldn't (if you don't already) get this by getting a tutor, teaching yourself, etc. and then writing about it in your application essay. Find a reference who can attest to your ability to learn quickly and you should be fine.

If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to help. I was there for the first term. I didn't flunk out - in fact I got a distinction on my first paper -- if that lends me any credit. But perhaps you'll want to ask some graduates."

[pappymajek]

(Original post by Ilustrius)
Ah.. I do Civil Engineering so we don't cover signal processing etc. But I have done stuff like differential equations, multivariate calculus, taylor & mclaurin series and linear algebra in my first year (81%), a module in computational statistics this year (scored 85% and top 5 out of 118 in class), and am applying a lot of linear algebra in structural mechanics, and laplace transforms in dynamics. Will also be doing finite element analysis for my 3rd year, next year.

I e-mailed some current MSc Applied Stats students at Oxford, and one of the replies was this:

"I did a Maths with Economics degree, and most of the people did have maths in their degree, but there were certainly a few who didn't. Not sure that I can think of any engineers, but a friend of mine had a political background. I'd say that you don't need a mathematical background (linear algebra won't help you here), but that it could be difficult without some basic statistics knowledge. Having said that, there is absolultely no reason that you couldn't (if you don't already) get this by getting a tutor, teaching yourself, etc. and then writing about it in your application essay. Find a reference who can attest to your ability to learn quickly and you should be fine.

If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to help. I was there for the first term. I didn't flunk out - in fact I got a distinction on my first paper -- if that lends me any credit. But perhaps you'll want to ask some graduates."

BSc in politics studying statistics? Not sure about that.

[pappymajek]

(Original post by shiny)
The MSc in Social Statistics at Southampton maybe suitable else, in general, it would be very difficult as some undergraduate training in mathematics would be expected.

I guessed as much. Social statistics isnt quite the one I had in mind. I guess I'll just have to stick with my original plan of studying for a BSc in mathematics and then perhaps do MSc in statistics with applications in medicine and then maybe PhD. I have a medical degree but Ive decided mathematics is really my passion so Im looking into doing something that involves some heavy mathematics and medicine-perhaps modelling.

Thanks Shiny.

[pappymajek]

(Original post by Ilustrius)
Which statistics courses are you looking at? I'm thinking of applying to one or two myself, but I'm an Engineering student so I'm not too sure if I'm eligible.

I was looking at the MSc in statistics with applications in medicine or any statistics course that would cover applications in medicine.

[Ilustrius]

(Original post by pappymajek)
BSc in politics studying statistics? Not sure about that.

Well perhaps this person is referring to someone who did Political Science? As far as I know, there is a certain element of quantitative modelling and/or statistics in Political Science.

Regardless, do you know if Civil Engineering graduates are eligible for this course?

[shiny]

(Original post by pappymajek)
BSc in politics studying statistics? Not sure about that.

It is uncommon but it does happen. If your motivation is good, there is a desire to take students from a wider range of backgrounds.

[shiny]

(Original post by pappymajek)
I guessed as much. Social statistics isnt quite the one I had in mind. I guess I'll just have to stick with my original plan of studying for a BSc in mathematics and then perhaps do MSc in statistics with applications in medicine and then maybe PhD. I have a medical degree but Ive decided mathematics is really my passion so Im looking into doing something that involves some heavy mathematics and medicine-perhaps modelling.

If you really want to do something really mathematical then, yes, you don't really have much choice but to study mathematics.

[pappymajek]

(Original post by Ilustrius)
Well perhaps this person is referring to someone who did Political Science? As far as I know, there is a certain element of quantitative modelling and/or statistics in Political Science.

Regardless, do you know if Civil Engineering graduates are eligible for this course?

I see, that would make sense.

[pappymajek]

(Original post by shiny)
If you really want to do something really mathematical then, yes, you don't really have much choice but to study mathematics.

Thanks shiny, I think thats the way forward for me.