Doctorate in Philosophy Mathematics and Statistics and Specialization Bioinformatics at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Mathematics and Statistics with a specialization in Bioinformatics is designed to prepare candidates for diverse careers in teaching and research, both within academia and industry. This program emphasizes laboratory research, coursework, and the presentation of research seminars, fostering autonomy in conducting research and preparing publications. Students will engage in a stimulating environment that promotes excellence in research, ensuring that graduates demonstrate the necessary research skills and professional credibility in their respective fields.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Mathematics and Statistics with a specialization in Bioinformatics is structured to be completed in a maximum of 48 consecutive months for full-time students. The program includes:

Thesis-based research
Active involvement in laboratory research and coursework
Presentation of research seminars
Collaborative specialization in Bioinformatics

This program is offered through the Faculty of Science and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience. Students will have the opportunity to engage in various research areas, including genomics, transcriptomics, and machine learning, while also benefiting from a collaborative environment that encourages interdisciplinary study.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate program offers several unique features that enhance the educational experience:

Collaborative Specialization: Students can participate in a collaborative program in Bioinformatics, which integrates computational approaches with biological research.
Research Seminars: Students are required to present their research findings in seminars, fostering communication skills and academic discourse.
Laboratory Research: Active involvement in laboratory settings allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges.
Interdisciplinary Approach: The program encourages students to appreciate significant research across various fields, enhancing their understanding of bioinformatics.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Mathematics and Statistics with a specialization in Bioinformatics can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Bioinformatics Scientist: Conduct research to analyze biological data, develop algorithms, and create software tools for data analysis.
Data Analyst: Utilize statistical methods to interpret complex data sets, providing insights for decision-making in healthcare and research.
Research Scientist: Lead research projects in academic or industrial settings, focusing on genomics, proteomics, or computational biology.
Statistical Consultant: Offer expertise in statistical analysis and modeling to organizations in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
University Professor: Teach and mentor students in mathematics, statistics, and bioinformatics while conducting independent research.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

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Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Mathematics and Statistics and Specialization in Bioinformatics, PhD.

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time (English Program only):	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	No

Minimum Requirements

Have a master's degree in mathematics and statistics (or equivalent) with a minimum average of 75% (B+).

Average time to completion

12 full-time terms; 48 consecutive months

Area(s) of specialization

Specialization Bioinformatics

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation. Academic references preferred.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	French Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Resume A letter of intent outlining your career goals and proposed research area. We recommend that you contact potential thesis supervisors early. To register, you need to be accepted by a thesis supervisor. International students must show proof of funding in the form of a supervisor stipend and a combination of scholarships and/or in-trust accounts. A good knowledge of either English or French and good ability to write in English is required. Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

French Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)
English Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!