MASTER OF SCIENCE IN STATISTICS

Overview

Background

The MSc in Statistics programme is the application of advanced probability theory and the study of numeric data based on biological or social observation and phenomena. The programme also involves the application of statistical and measurement methods to biological and social problems. The problems are from economics, population studies, environment, plant, animal and agricultural biology. The programme, therefore, provides training in the application of statistics in Economics, Demography, Medicine, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Biology and Ecology. Currently, there is high demand for Mathematical Statistics expertise locally, regionally and internationally so as to bridge the gap in the development of teaching capacity at the tertiary level.

The programme is designed to provide graduates with a solid grounding in advanced statistical theory, methodology and practical aspects of statistics for them to work with research professionals in research institutions. In addition, the graduates should offer statistical consultancy and work on government programmes (such as policy-making in education, medicine, health, agriculture etc.). Most sectors of human endeavour produce raw data. Thus, there is a lot of raw data that is usually stored in computer servers. Such undigested data is of no use until it is processed to make sense. Proper utilization of available resources in all sectors of an economy can accelerate the attainment of the aspirations of societal development goals, including the current SDG [2015 – 2030] and the corresponding Vision 2030 development goals of the Kenya Government. The field of Statistics provides scientists with some of the most useful techniques for evaluating ideas, testing theories and discovering the truth in statistical research. Scientists should make informed decisions by using statistical methods.

Statistics is closely linked to Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Computing (Statistical computing is a highly sought skill), and Economics, Finance, Psychology, Physics and Health. In all these fields evidence-based decision-making impacts positively on the proper utilization of available resources and spurs economic growth. The delivery of the Statistics program is based on interfaculty collaboration and efficient use of information technology (IT). The programme aims to provide graduates with the opportunity to develop confidence and skills in the academic field and to apply statistical principles to solve practical problems in health and agriculture research and service provision. The programme is classified under detailed field 0542: Statistics, according to the UNESCO International Standards Classification of Education (ISCED – 2013).

Philosophy of the Programme

The philosophy of the programme is to foster excellence in academic freedom, professionalism and integrity through quality scholarly teaching, training and research in Statistics.

Rationale of the Programme

The MSc in Statistics programme has been reviewed in line with the Commission for University Education (CUE) guidelines and also to take into account recent developments in Data Science worldwide.

Goal of the Programme

The goal of the programme is to equip students with good knowledge of fundamental principles of statistical theory and methodology; to impart the necessary knowledge in statistical computing for analyzing (large) data sets; and skills in statistical methods necessary in making evidence-based decisions.

The Master of Science in Statistics will be offered under four main branches as follows

  • Mathematical Statistics;
  • Social Statistics;
  • Medical Statistics;
  • Bio-Statistics

Language(s) Used: The language used in teaching is English

Modes of Delivery:

  • Face-Face Mode: The programme will be delivered through a variety of face-to-face methods such as lectures, tutorials, laboratory or field-based practical lessons, demonstrations, individual or group assignments, and presentations.

  • Virtual/Online: This shall consist of written self-instructional study modules e.g. study course materials, relevant literature and interactive devices, and self-tests. Face-to-face introductory tutorials. Mediated technical learning materials such as audio-visual and e-Learning.

Intakes: The programme intake is in September of every year click the link below for more information on the application procedure University of Nairobi online Application Click this link to apply  

 

Contacts

The Chairman,

Department of Mathematics.

P.O.Box 30197-00100

Telephone: 020 4914143 / 020 4914148

Email: maths@uonbi.ac.ke.

Course Structure and Duration

  • The course shall extend over a minimum period of 4 semesters and a maximum period of 8 semesters.
  • Each academic year shall have two semesters of 15 weeks each.
  • Students will be required to take a minimum of twelve (12) taught course units, which must include the eight (8) prescribed core units. In addition, they must take a project.
  • There will be eight (8) core course units, which shall be taken by all candidates.
  • In addition to the eight (8) core course units, candidates will be required to take four (4) specialization course units in a chosen thematic area.
  • Specialization course units allow a student to concentrate on their chosen thematic area. Elective course units provide options for additional knowledge in other areas of interest, not necessarily in their chosen thematic area. Electives may be chosen from the list of elective course units in any area of study, or from specialization course units from a different thematic area, that would now count as electives.
  • Course units can only be taken after the prerequisites have been successfully completed.
  • The project will be regarded as equivalent to four-course units.
  • Students will be required to register for at least four course units per semester for the first three semesters and the 4th semester will be devoted to practical training and project.
  • Candidates will be required to participate in weekly postgraduate seminars. The seminars will be of one-hour duration and will cover special topics by means of lectures, tutorials and practical data analysis.
  • Each taught course unit shall be defined as 45 hours of lectures, tutorials and practical data analysis.
  • Practical data analysis will consist of a series of practical exercises allied to specific course units throughout the course. These shall be assessed as part of continuous assessment for the relevant course units.
  • The thematic areas of Specialization are Mathematical statistics, Biostatistics, Social Statistics and Medical statistics.
  • In the first year, Mathematical Statistics option, a candidate is required to take the core units STA 6101, STA 6102, STA 6103, STA 6104, STA 6105, STA 6106, STA 6107, and STA 6108.
  • In the first year, Biostatistics option, a candidate is required to take the core units STA 6102, STA 6103, STA 6104, STA 6105, STA 6106, STA 6107, STA 6108, and STA6111.
  • In the first year, Social Statistics option, a candidate is required to take the core units STA 6102, STA 6103, STA 6104, STA 6105, STA 6106, STA 6107, STA 6108, and STA 6111.
  • In the first year, Medical Statistics option, a candidate is required to take the core units STA 6102, STA 6105, STA 6106, STA 6108, STA 6109, STA 6110, STA 6111, and STA 6113.
  •  In the second year, a candidate specializing in Mathematical Statistics is required to take STA 6201, STA 6203, STA 6205, STA 6207, and STA 6220. Elective courses include STA 6202, STA 6204, and STA 6208.
  • In the second year, a candidate specializing in Biostatistics is required to take STA 6201, HPG 6221, STA 6209, STA 6223, and STA 6230. Elective courses include STA 6206, STA 6208, and STA 6224.
  • In the second year, a candidate specializing in Social Statistics is required to take STA 6201, STA 6231, STA 6233, STA 6209, and STA 6240. Elective courses include STA 6202, STA 6204, and STA 6208.
  • In the second year, a candidate specializing in Medical Statistics is required to take HPG 6221, STA 6222, STA 6223, STA 6231, and STA 6250. Elective courses include STA 6206, STA 6208, and STA 6224.

 

Minimum admission requirements

  • Candidates must satisfy the University of Nairobi and Department of Mathematics general admission criteria for Master of Science programmes.
  • Holders of a degree from the University of Nairobi of at least Upper Second-Class Honours in Mathematics or Statistics, or equivalent qualification from a university recognized by the Senate.
  • Holders of a degree, recognized by the senate, of at least Upper Second-Class Honours in any other degree program, with proof of having covered an acceptable minimum number of mathematics or statistics course units.
  • Holders of a Lower Second Class Honours degree in Mathematics or Statistics, or equivalent qualification from a university recognized by the senate, AND additional relevant training or evidence of research or work experience may be considered for admission.
  • Holders of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Sciences, Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Nursing Sciences from the University of Nairobi.
  • Holders of Postgraduate Diploma provided that the applicant satisfies the minimum requirements for admission to a Bachelor’s degree qualification level.
  • Any other qualification equivalent to the above from institutions recognized by the Senate of the University of Nairobi.

Credit Transfer and Exemptions

There will be no transfer of credits or exemptions for this programme.

Schedule of Intakes: 

The programme intake is in September of every year click the link below for more information on the application procedure University of Nairobi online Application Click this link to apply  

Application Information

Before continuing please read the University of Nairobi admission requirements Please ensure that you meet the admission requirements before applying. Online Student Application Manual

Attachment Opportunities

Students can be attached but not limited to the following

  • Non-governmental organizations

  • Government parastatals and institutions

  • Research institutions

  • International organizations

  • Financial and non-financial institutions

  • Medical institutions

Career prospects/opportunities

  • Social scientist

  • Statistician

  • Data analyst

  • Modeller

  • Biostatistician

  • Researcher

  • Medical statistician

  • Academia

  • Public health

  • Healthcare statistician

  • Research statistician

 

Notable Alumni

MASTER OF SCIENCE STATISTICS

CODE: STA6

FEE MSC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSC Y 2

Exam Regulations

Coursework Examinations

The Master of Science degree course in Statistics Examinations shall be governed by the common regulations of the University of Nairobi.

  • All course units taken in a semester shall be examined at the end of the semester.
  • A candidate shall be required to complete satisfactorily all such courses and assignments that may be required for the course of study.
  • Each taught course unit shall be examined by a two-hour written examination.
  • Each taught course unit shall be marked independently out of 100 marks.
  • The complete assessment of a taught course unit shall consist of a continuous assessment test and a written final examination. The contribution towards the unit aggregate score shall be thirty percent [30%] for continuous assessment and seventy percent [70%] for the final written examination.
  • There shall be at least two [2] continuous assessment tests for every course unit.
  •  A candidate who fails to obtain a pass mark in at most fifty percent [50%] of the total course units registered for, may on the recommendation of the Committee of Examiners and approved by Senate, be allowed to do supplementary in the failed course units during the next examination season.
  • A candidate who fails in more than 50% of the total examined course units registered for in each academic year shall be discontinued.
  • A pass obtained after passing a supplementary exam shall be recorded as 50%.
  • A candidate who fails two supplementary attempts in one particular course unit or fails to complete the course in the prescribed time shall on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and Senate be discontinued.

Research Project Assessment

  • The research project shall be examined according to the requirements of the University of Nairobi.
  • The research project is equivalent to 4-course units
  • The project shall be marked out of 100 marks distributed as follows: 30% for the oral presentation and 70% for the written report.
  • The research project pass mark shall be 50%.
  • A candidate who fails to obtain the pass mark in the project may on the recommendation of the Committee of Examiners and approval by the Senate be allowed to resubmit the project up to a maximum of two times.
  • A pass obtained for re-submission of the project will be recorded as 50%.
  • A candidate who fails to obtain the pass in the project at the second re-submission of the project shall be on the recommendation of the Committee of Examiners and approval of the Senate be discontinued.

Moderation of Examinations.

The common regulations governing the moderation of examinations at the University of Nairobi and the Department of Mathematics shall apply.

  •  All written examinations shall be moderated by an internal and external moderator.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Award of the Degree

  • For a candidate to be awarded a degree in MSc in Statistics [“selected option”], he/she must pass a minimum of 16-course units [12 taught course units and a project (4)].
  • Candidates who pass both taught courses and research project examinations shall be awarded a Master of Science in Statistics degree from the University of Nairobi.
  • The degree to be awarded shall be a Master of Science in Statistics (Mathematical Statistics) or Master of Science in Statistics (Biostatistics), Master of Science in Statistics (Social Statistics) or Master of Science in Statistics (Medical Statistics).

 

 

GRADING SYSTEM

In line with the grading system in use at the University of Nairobi, an aggregate score in the assessments will result in the following grades:

  1.           70% - 100%

  1.           60% - 69%

  1.           50% - 59%

     E             Below 50% (Fail)

 

 

 

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