M.S. in Mathematics with Concentration in Applied Statistics

The Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Statistics 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Evidence of undergraduate preparation in mathematics and computer science including: 12 semester hours of calculus at the level of MATH 1241/1242/2241/2242; 3 semester hours of linear algebra at the level of MATH 2164; 3 semester hours of differential equations at the level of MATH 2171; 6 semester hours of probability and statistics at the level of MATH 3122/3123; and 3 semester hours of computer programming at the level of ITCS 1214.

Degree Requirements

A candidate for the Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Statistics must complete a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate work approved by the department Graduate Committee, including:

Core Requirements (21 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)

Electives (9 hours)

  1. Two courses selected from an approved list of MATH/STAT or applied courses. Examples include:
  • STAT 7027 Topics in Statistics (3)
  • 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)
  • MATH 7692 Research Seminar (3)
  • Any MATH or STAT course at the 7000-level

    • Students who, because of their undergraduate work or other experience, can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the material in one or more of the core courses may be exempted from taking the course or courses. Exemption from a course carries no credit towards the degree concentration.

    Research Seminar and Thesis Option (3 hours)

    All candidates for the Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Statistics are required to complete 3 hours of MATH 7691 (Research Seminar) 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.

    A student may choose to expand the work begun in MATH 7691 (Research Seminar) into a master’s thesis by registering for 3 hours of MATH 7893 (Thesis) to fulfill the elective requirement under (2) above. This thesis option affords the student the opportunity to do professional and scholarly work demonstrating proficiency in the area of applied statistics.

    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.

    Comprehensive Examination

    Each candidate for the Master of Science degree concentration in Applied Statistics must perform satisfactorily on an oral comprehensive examination over the candidate’s program of study.