Eligibility Requirements

All candidates for admission to Master’s programs must have:

1. Successfully completed calculus through multivariable integration and one semester of linear algebra

2. Knowledge of a programming language

All candidates for admission to Master’s programs are encouraged to have:

1. Completed courses in: probability, statistics, advanced calculus or real analysis, and numerical analysis

2. Practical knowledge of a statistical computing package such as SAS, Splus, R, Stata, or SPSS

3. Have completed courses in biology, computational biology, and genetics, if interested in bioinformatics

4. Knowledge of a scripting language such as Python or Perl and some familiarity with relational databases, if interested in bioinformatics

On rare occasions the Department will admit students to our programs without this level of preparation with the understanding that the student will promptly make up any deficiencies, usually by taking additional courses prior to entering the program.

Test Scores:

GRE: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants.

TOEFL: The Harvard Chan School requires a minimum of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, and 100 on the Internet-based 4-part test (we prefer individual section scores of 23 or better). Official scores from TOEFL may be reported to the School at code number 3456. If you have already started your SOPHAS application, please report your scores to code 5688.

IELTS: The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) will also be accepted with a score of 7.0 or greater. Please have an official score report sent directly to the Harvard Chan School.