Program Requirements
The dual core of the Master of Science program in Statistics is mathematical statistics and modern data analysis, with the option of a special Entrepreneurial Track. Expanding from this core, students develop technical facilities in a variety of statistical methodologies. This breadth of competence is designed to equip graduates to go beyond the appropriate choice of method for implementation and to be able to adapt these techniques and to construct new methods to meet the specific objectives and constraints of new situations. The MS degree in statistics requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved coursework in statistics and related disciplines, at least 18 of which must be at the 400-level or higher. Each student’s program is developed in consultation with a faculty mentor.
| Required Courses: | ||
| STAT 425 | Data Analysis and Linear Models | 3 |
| STAT 426 | Multivariate Analysis and Data Mining | 3 |
| STAT 445 | Theoretical Statistics I | 3 |
| STAT 446 | Theoretical Statistics II | 3 |
| STAT 455 | Linear Models | 3 |
| STAT 495 | Statistical Consulting and Collaboration | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
The student must pass a comprehensive written exam. In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student may substitute the comprehensive examination requirement with an expository or original thesis, which will count as 6 credit hours of coursework for STAT 651. This thesis would be defended in the course of an oral examination, during which the student would be questioned about the thesis and related topics. These two variants correspond to the graduate school’s Master’s Non-Thesis and Master’s Thesis options.
Entrepreneurial Track
The Master of Science in Statistics–Entrepreneurial Track is a professional degree designed to provide training in statistics focused on developing data analysis and decision-making skills in industrial, government, and consulting environments where uncertainties and related risks are present. It expands our master’s program in statistics by creating a professional track that includes some business training. The Entrepreneurial Track provides instruction and real-world business experience to students who have a background in statistics and a vision for new and growing ventures. This program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.
The required New Venture Creation and Technology Entrepreneurship courses will be offered by the Weatherhead School of Management. Students on internships will sign up for the consulting forum sequence. In addition, students are required to participate in an intensive (up to 30 hours) one-week annual workshop on the industrial use of statistics from the management perspective. This non-credit workshop will take place during the fall or spring undergraduate breaks.