Graduate Catalog 2004-2005

The Master of Science in Applied Statistics is offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research. The intent of the program is to prepare students for direct entry into a career as statisticians in business, industry, or government, or for further study toward a Ph.D. degree in statistics.

For detailed descriptions of operations research specializations, see the Master of Science section in Computer Science and the Master of Business Administration programs.

Prerequisites to Graduate Work in Applied Statistics

This program is intended for students with a background in mathematics or statistics. Students without this background should expect to take longer to complete the degree requirements.

Applicants must have satisfactorily completed courses in differential and integral calculus, including multivariable calculus; a course in advanced calculus; and a course in linear algebra. At the University, these requirements are equivalent to the completion of MATH 233, MATH 432, and MATH 434. These prerequisites may be waived for admission to the program but must be fulfilled early in the program.

Although no background in statistics is required for admission into the program, it is beneficial for applicants to have completed an introductory two-course sequence in probability and statistics.

Admission Procedure

Applicants seeking admission to the M.S. program should follow the instructions outlined in the "Graduate Admission" section of this catalog.

Degree Requirements
Master of Science in Applied Statistics

Students may pursue the M.S. degree under either Plan I or Plan II. Requirements under either plan are: MATH 641 and 642, STAT 502, 506, and 508; at least one course from MATH 650, STAT 675; at least six hours of graduate course work in an approved cognate area; and three elective courses in statistics (at least two at the 600 level). Of these elective courses, at least three hours must be from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and at least three must be from the Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research. The remaining three hours should be from the offerings of either the Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research or the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Any of these courses may be waived at the graduate level for students who can document equivalent undergraduate or graduate training; however, the credit hour requirement will not be reduced in this case. The student will be expected to substitute appropriate electives. Cognate courses are selected by the student, subject to the approval of the graduate coordinator, to conform to the individual needs of the student. Cognate courses may not include courses whose primary content is statistics.