Statistical Data Science, M.S. Degree

Master of Science Program

Applying: Please visit Statistics MS Admissions .

The MS program features a comprehensive and balanced curriculum that builds a strong foundation in statistical methods, computational statistics, and statistical theory, while equipping students with advanced skills in machine learning, data science, bioinformatics, and biostatistics. The program is kept sufficiently flexible to permit students to develop their specific interests.

The students seeking a MS. degree must fulfill a number of departmental requirements in addition to university requirements specified by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies ( OGAPS).

Non-Thesis Option Non-Thesis Option

A student seeking the Master of Science degree under the Non-Thesis Option must fulfill the following requirements:

A. Coursework

Note that STAT 601, 651, 652, and 658 may not be used to fulfill any of the coursework requirements listed below.

Option 1

Students will complete 32 hours of graduate level statistics coursework
One elective course will be replaced with STAT 685. Oral presentation & written report is required.
Student will select one advisory committee member

Option 2

Students will complete 32 hours of graduate level Statistics coursework
No oral presentation or written report is required
Student will select the Director of MS Programs as their advisory committee member.

Biostatistics & Bioinformatics Emphasis

STAT 607, 624, 645, 646, 647, 654, 656, 657, and 659

Computational Emphasis

STAT 610, 611, 624, 626, 636, 638 and 654.
MATH 609, MATH 610 or MATH 660
CSCE 603, CSCE 654 or CSCE 659

Theoretical Emphasis

STAT 610, 611, 615, 616, 626, 631, 636, 647, 654

Applied Analytics & Data Science Emphasis

STAT 600, 615, 624, 626, 631, 636, 638, 639, 654, 656

MS Elective Courses:

STAT 607, 615, 624, 626, 631, 636, 638, 639, 645, 646, 647, 653, 656, 657, 659

B. Substitution of STAT Ph.D. Courses for MS Coursework

With the approval of the Graduate Adviser and/or Associate Department Head, STAT Ph.D. courses can be used as substitutes for any of the MS courses listed in part A.

C. Consulting Experience

Two credit hour, one semester course of statistical consulting experience. Internships and other experiences cannot be substituted for the two hours of STAT 692.

D. Master’s Advisory Committee

Form a master’s advisory committee and complete a special project under the direction of the chairman of the advisory committee. Three semester credit hours of STAT 685 are earned by completion of this project. Upon completion, the student is required to compose a written report and make an oral presentation on the work. The purpose of this project is to familiarize the student with the type of problems that may be encountered in future work and to give the student a chance to develop the ability to present results both verbally and in writing. In many cases, work done during an internship may be used as the basis for the student’s master’s project. However, this project must be completed under the supervision of the chairperson of the student’s advisory committee.

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Non-Thesis Option
A student seeking the Master of Science degree under the Non-Thesis Option must fulfill the following requirements:

A. Coursework

Note that STAT 601, 651, 652, and 658 may not be used to fulfill any of the coursework requirements listed below.
1. STAT 604, 608, 641, 642 and 630 (for students seeking terminal master’s degree) or those completing the Thesis-Option 610 & 611 (for students who will apply to the PhD program).
2. Two credit hours, one semester course of statistical consulting experience (STAT 692).
3. Nine semester credit hours based on one of the emphasis areas outlined below or from the list of MS electives. STAT 691 semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
4. Sufficient semester credit hours based on one of the emphasis areas outlined below to achieve a total of 32 credit hours.
Option 1
- Students will complete 32 hours of graduate level statistics coursework
- One elective course will be replaced with STAT 685. Oral presentation & written report is required.
- Student will select one advisory committee member
Option 2
- Students will complete 32 hours of graduate level Statistics coursework
- No oral presentation or written report is required
- Student will select the Director of MS Programs as their advisory committee member.
Biostatistics & Bioinformatics Emphasis
1. STAT 607, 624, 645, 646, 647, 654, 656, 657, and 659
Computational Emphasis
1. STAT 610, 611, 624, 626, 636, 638 and 654.
2. MATH 609, MATH 610 or MATH 660
3. CSCE 603, CSCE 654 or CSCE 659
Theoretical Emphasis

STAT 610, 611, 615, 616, 626, 631, 636, 647, 654

Applied Analytics & Data Science Emphasis

STAT 600, 615, 624, 626, 631, 636, 638, 639, 654, 656

MS Elective Courses:

STAT 607, 615, 624, 626, 631, 636, 638, 639, 645, 646, 647, 653, 656, 657, 659

B. Substitution of STAT Ph.D. Courses for MS Coursework

With the approval of the Graduate Adviser and/or Associate Department Head, STAT Ph.D. courses can be used as substitutes for any of the MS courses listed in part A.

C. Consulting Experience

Two credit hour, one semester course of statistical consulting experience. Internships and other experiences cannot be substituted for the two hours of STAT 692.

D. Master’s Advisory Committee

Form a master’s advisory committee and complete a special project under the direction of the chairman of the advisory committee. Three semester credit hours of STAT 685 are earned by completion of this project. Upon completion, the student is required to compose a written report and make an oral presentation on the work. The purpose of this project is to familiarize the student with the type of problems that may be encountered in future work and to give the student a chance to develop the ability to present results both verbally and in writing. In many cases, work done during an internship may be used as the basis for the student’s master’s project. However, this project must be completed under the supervision of the chairperson of the student’s advisory committee.

Thesis Option Thesis Option

A student seeking the Master of Science degree under the Thesis Option must fulfill the following requirements:

A. Coursework

Note that STAT 601, 651, 652, and 658 may not be used to fulfill any of the coursework requirements listed below.

STAT 604, 608, 610, 611, 641 and 642.
Two credit hour, one semester course of statistical consulting experience ( STAT 692).
Two semester credit hours of STAT 691 for preparation of a thesis (see item B below).
Nine semester credit hours based on one of the emphasis areas outlined below or from the list of MS electives. STAT 691 semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
A total of 31 semester credit hours.

Biostatistics Emphasis

STAT 607, 624, 645, 646, 647, 654, 656, 657, and 659

Computational Emphasis

Theoretical Emphasis

STAT 610, 611, 615, 626, 636, 647, 654

Applied Analytics & Data Science Emphasis

STAT 615, 624, 626, 631, 636, 638, 639, 654, 656

B. Substitution of STAT Ph.D. Courses for MS Coursework

With the approval of the Graduate Adviser and/or Associate Department Head, STAT Ph.D. courses can be used as substitutes for any of the MS courses listed in part A.

C. Masters (with Thesis) Advisory Committee

Form an advisory committee and complete a thesis under the direction of the chairman of the advisory committee. The Department does not insist that this represent an original contribution to the field of statistics. It is intended to train the student in carrying out independently a piece of research; this may represent an application of existing statistical methods in a new area or a comparative evaluation of statistical methods.

D. Pass Final Oral Examination

This examination is concerned with the student’s coursework and thesis. It is administered by the student’s advisory committee.

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Thesis Option
A student seeking the Master of Science degree under the Thesis Option must fulfill the following requirements:

A. Coursework

Note that STAT 601, 651, 652, and 658 may not be used to fulfill any of the coursework requirements listed below.
1. STAT 604, 608, 610, 611, 641 and 642.
2. Two credit hour, one semester course of statistical consulting experience ( STAT 692).
3. Two semester credit hours of STAT 691 for preparation of a thesis (see item B below).
4. Nine semester credit hours based on one of the emphasis areas outlined below or from the list of MS electives. STAT 691 semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
5. A total of 31 semester credit hours.
Biostatistics Emphasis
1. STAT 607, 624, 645, 646, 647, 654, 656, 657, and 659
Computational Emphasis
1. STAT 610, 611, 615, 624, 626, 636, 638, 654
2. MATH 609, MATH 610 or MATH 660
3. CSCE 603, CSCE 654 or CSCE 659
Theoretical Emphasis

STAT 610, 611, 615, 626, 636, 647, 654

Applied Analytics & Data Science Emphasis

STAT 615, 624, 626, 631, 636, 638, 639, 654, 656

B. Substitution of STAT Ph.D. Courses for MS Coursework

With the approval of the Graduate Adviser and/or Associate Department Head, STAT Ph.D. courses can be used as substitutes for any of the MS courses listed in part A.

C. Masters (with Thesis) Advisory Committee

Form an advisory committee and complete a thesis under the direction of the chairman of the advisory committee. The Department does not insist that this represent an original contribution to the field of statistics. It is intended to train the student in carrying out independently a piece of research; this may represent an application of existing statistical methods in a new area or a comparative evaluation of statistical methods.

D. Pass Final Oral Examination

This examination is concerned with the student’s coursework and thesis. It is administered by the student’s advisory committee.

BS in Statistics + MS in Statistical Data Science (3+2 Program) BS in Statistics + MS in Statistical Data Science (3+2 Program)

Coursework

Note that STAT 601, 651, 652, and 658 may not be used to fulfill any of the coursework requirements listed below. Students will choose from one of the non-thesis options of the program and select one advisory committee member.

Notes:

Students who have taken STAT 404 & STAT 408 will not need to take STAT 604 or STAT 608
Students who have taken STAT 414 & STAT 415 will not need to take STAT 630
These courses will be replaced with graduate level elective courses of the students choosing
Students will need to complete a non-thesis option of this program

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