College of Science

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

This program is primarily designed to prepare students for careers in business, industry, and federal, state, and local government. Students pursuing graduate degrees in other disciplines, such as biology, natural resources, engineering, business, economics, epidemiology, and the social sciences, may elect to earn an MS in statistics concurrent with their other degree programs. For most students, the MS in statistics will prove sufficient for career preparation. However, some graduates may ultimately pursue a doctorate in statistics, biostatistics, or a closely related discipline.

This degree requires 30 credits of approved coursework at or above the 5000 level. At least 18 credits must be at the 6000 level or above, excluding STAT 6990  and STAT 7990  (Continuing Graduate Advisement).  All students must take STAT 6710 and STAT 6720 (Mathematical Statistics I and II). Generally, most of the coursework will be in statistics, but the student’s supervisory committee may approve courses in mathematics, biology, economics, or any other discipline if it deems such coursework to be appropriate for the student’s program of study.

The MS in Statistics has Plan A (thesis), Plan B (report), and Plan C (coursework only) options. The Plan A and Plan B options require students to work with a faculty member on a research project, taking 6 or 3 credits of STAT 6970 , respectively, and presenting the results of the research in a written report. For both the Plan A and Plan B options, the report must be approved by the student’s supervisory committee. A Plan A report (thesis) must also be approved by the dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Both Plan A and Plan B reports require an oral defense that must be scheduled through the School of Graduate Studies .

There is no qualifying examination for students in the MS program in Statistics. The qualifying requirement is that students must earn a B or better for both semesters of either the MATH 5710 /MATH 5720  sequence or the STAT 6710 /STAT 6720  sequence.

The Plan C option of the MS program in Statistics is only for students simultaneously working on a degree in another department. Students in this option must pass both MATH 5710  and MATH 5720 , or both STAT 6710  and STAT 6720  with a grade of B+ or better.