The Master of Science in Mathematics with Concentration in Applied Statistics program is designed to provide advanced skills and knowledge in the planning, design, testing, and implementation of statistical methods. Skills are developed to deal with problems encountered in statistical applications in business, industry, and government; to hold administrative positions requiring planning and implementation of statistical analysis; to teach statistics at the undergraduate or community college level; and to potentially study statistics leading to the Ph.D. degree.
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for the concentration in Applied Statistics:
- An overall GPA of at least 3.0 on all previous college work including a GPA of at least 3.0 in courses prerequisite to the area of applied statistics.
- Evidence of undergraduate preparation in mathematics and computer science including: 12 credit hours of calculus at the level of MATH 1241, MATH 1242, MATH 2241, and MATH 2242; 3 credit hours of linear algebra at the level of MATH 2164; 3 credit hours of differential equations at the level of MATH 2171; 6 credit hours of probability and statistics at the level of MATH 3122 and MATH 3123; and 3 credit hours of computer programming at the level of ITCS 1214.
Concentration Requirements
A candidate for the M.S. in Mathematics with Concentration in Applied Statistics degree must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours of graduate work approved by the department Graduate Committee, including:
Core Courses (21 credit hours)
- STAT 5123 - Applied Statistics I (3)
- STAT 5124 - Applied Statistics II (3)
- STAT 5126 - Theory of Statistics I (3)
- STAT 5127 - Theory of Statistics II (3)
- STAT 7027 - Topics in Statistics (3)
- STAT 7127 - Linear Statistical Models (3)
- STAT 7133 - Multivariate Analysis (3)
MATH/STAT or Applied Elective Courses
Select two courses from an approved list. Examples include:
- MATH 5128 - Applied Probability I (3)
- MATH 5129 - Applied Probability II (3)
- MATH 5143 - Analysis I (3)
- MATH 5165 - Numerical Linear Algebra (3)
- MATH 7120 - Probability Theory I (3)
- MATH 7121 - Probability Theory II (3)
- MATH 7143 - Real Analysis I (3)
- STAT 6115 - Statistical Learning with Big Data (3)
- STAT 7027 - Topics in Statistics (3)
- STAT 7135 - Statistical Computation (3)
- STAT 7137 - Survival Analysis (3)
- STAT 7139 - Time Series Analysis (3)
- STAT 7891 - Independent Study in Statistics (1 to 3)
Directed Project (3 credit hours)
All candidates for the M.S. in Mathematics with Concentration in Applied Statistics degree are required to complete 3 credit hours of a Directed Project in Statistics in which they carry out an independent project under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty. The project could involve a specific application of techniques identified in the literature or studied in other courses. All projects are subject to the prior approval of the department Graduate Committee and must be successfully defended before a committee of three graduate faculty members appointed by the department Graduate Committee.
- STAT 7892 - Directed Project in Statistics (1 to 3)
Assistantships
A number of graduate assistantships are available each year (with nationally-competitive stipends) for qualified applicants. A limited number of fellowship awards can be applied to supplement these stipends for especially qualified students.
Thesis
A student may choose to expand the work begun in STAT 7892 into a master’s thesis by registering for 3 credit hours of MATH 7994 to fulfill the MATH/STAT 7000-level elective course requirement above. This thesis option affords the student the opportunity to do professional and scholarly work demonstrating proficiency in the area of applied statistics.
Comprehensive Examination
Each candidate for the M.S. in Mathematics with Concentration in Applied Statistics degree must perform satisfactorily on an oral comprehensive examination over the candidate’s program of study. The thesis defense is the oral comprehensive examination for those students who select the thesis option.