Program Descriptions

Master of Science Degree Requirements

Shared Core

  • STA 602 (4) Introduction to Statistical Methods
  • STA 603 (4) Introduction to Linear Models and Experimental Design
  • STA 605 (3) Computational Inference
  • STA 606 (3) Theory of Statistical Inference I
  • STA 623 (3) Theory of Probability
  • STA 632 (3) Longitudinal Data Analysis

Mathematical Statistics Track

Curriculum requirements for the Mathematical Statistics track are the shared core courses above, plus the following courses:

  • STA 607 (3) Theory of Statistical Inference II
  • STA 624 (3) Applied Stochastic Processes
  • STA 643 (3) Advanced Experimental Design

Biostatistics Track

Curriculum requirements in the Biostatistics track are the shared core courses above, plus:

  • STA 635 (3) Survivability and Life Testing
  • STA 653 (3) Clinical Trials
  • STA 665 (3) Analysis of Categorical Data
  • STA 693 (2) Biostatistical Practicum, 1 unit course in each of the two semesters in the second year

Programs of study for Plan B (non-thesis) require a total of at least 35 semester hours. Programs of study for Plan A (with thesis) require a total of at least 29 semester hours which are satisfied by either of the two course lists above.

Electives

The electives may be chosen from any course in the following menu that is NOT a track requirement.

  • MA 471G (3) Advanced Calculus I
  • STA 607 (3) Theory of Statistical Inference II
  • STA 612 (3) Sequential Analysis
  • STA 616 (3) Design and Analysis of Sample Surveys
  • STA 621 (3) Nonparametric Inference
  • STA 624 (3) Applied Stochastic Processes
  • STA 626 (3) Time Series Analysis
  • STA 630 (3) Bayesian Inference
  • CPH 631 (3) Design and Analysis of Health Surveys
  • STA 635 (3) Survivability and Life Testing
  • CPH 636 (3) Data Mining in Public Health
  • STA 643 (3) Advanced Experimental Design
  • STA 644 (3) Advanced Linear and Nonlinear Models
  • STA 653 (3)* Clinical Trials
  • STA 661 (3) Multivariate Analysis I
  • STA 662 (3) Resampling and Related Methods
  • CPH 664 (3)* Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials
  • STA 665 (3) Analysis of Categorical Data





Comprehensive Examination

  • All master's candidates are required to pass a comprehensive departmental written examination on the content of the courses STA 602, STA 603, STA 605, STA 606, STA 623, STA 697 and STA 698.   

  • This examination is normally administered in late May/early June.  

  • Students taking the comprehensive exam will receive either a pass at the doctoral level, a pass at the master's level, or a failure.  

  • The examination may be repeated only once. 

*For more information please see the Graduate Bulletin

Recommended Schedules

In the following schedules, the electives can be anything from the elective list, including courses required for the respective other track. If you are planning on continuing for a PhD:

  1. Take STA607 and STA643 in Fall year 2, either as track requirements or electives.
  2. If you haven’t yet taken MA471G before, it should be taken in Fall year 2.
  3. Take STA700 in Spring year 2.

Mathematical Statistics Track

Fall, Year One  STA 602 Introduction to Statistical Methods STA 605 Computational Inference STA 623 Theory of Probability
Spring, Year One  STA 603 Introduction to Linear Models and Experimental Design STA 606 Theory of Statistical Inference I STA 624 Applied Stochastic Processes
Fall, Year Two STA 607 Theory of Statistical Inference II STA 643 Advanced Experimental Design Elective
Spring, Year Two  STA 632 Longitudinal Data Analysis Elective Elective

 

Biostatistics Track

Fall, Year One  STA 602 Introduction to Statistical Methods STA 605 Computational Inference STA 623 Theory of Probability  
Spring, Year One  STA 603 Introduction to Linear Models and Experimental Design STA 606 Theory of Statistical Inference I STA 653 Clinical Trials  
Fall, Year Two STA 635 Survivability and Life Testing Elective

Elective

 STA 693 Biostatistical Practicum
Spring, Year Two  STA 632 Longitudinal Data Analysis STA 665 Analysis of Categorical Data Elective STA 693 Biostatistical Practicum

 

 





 

Doctoral Program Requirements

The requirements for the two tracks are:

Mathematical Statistics/Probability

  • STA 701 – Advanced Statistical Inference I
  • STA 702 – Advanced Statistical Inference II
  • STA 703 – Advanced Probability
  • STA 705 – Advanced Computational Inference
  • STA 707 – Advanced Data Analysis

Biostatistics

  • STA 701 - Advanced Statistical Inference I
  • STA 703 - Advanced Probability
  • STA 705 - Advanced Computational Inference
  • STA 707 - Advanced Data Analysis
  • STA 709 - Advanced Survival Analysis

All students must take an additional six courses chosen by the student and approved by the DGS. 

The six electives must be chosen from among STA 612, STA 616, STA 621, STA 624, STA 626, STA 630, STA 635, STA 643, STA 644, STA 653*, STA 661, STA 662, STA 665, CPH 631, CPH 636, and CPH 664*. STA 695 will also be considered on a case by case basis. A course that is required for the selected track may not be used as an elective.

 

Mathematical Statistics Track: Typical Course Schedule

Fall, Year One  STA 602 Introduction to Statistical Methods STA 605 Computational Inference STA 623 Theory of Probability
Spring, Year One  STA 603 Introduction to Linear Models and Experimental Design STA 606 Theory of Statistical Inference I STA 624 Applied Stochastic Processes
Fall, Year Two STA 607 Theory of Statistical Inference II STA 643 Advanced Experimental Design MA 471G Advanced Calculus I
Spring, Year Two STA 632 Longitudinal Data Analysis STA 700 Foundations of Probability and Inference Elective
Fall, Year Three STA 701 Advanced Statistical Inference I STA 703 Advanced Probability STA 705 Advanced Computational Inference
Spring, Year Three STA 702 Advanced Statistical Inference II STA 707 Advanced Data Analysis Elective
Fall, Year Four Elective Residency Residency
Spring, Year Four Elective Residency Residency

 

Biostatistics Track: Typical Course Schedule

Fall, Year One  STA 602 Introduction to Statistical Methods STA 605 Computational Inference STA 623 Theory of Probability
Spring, Year One  STA 603 Introduction to Linear Models and Experimental Design STA 606 Theory of Statistical Inference I STA 653 Clinical Trials
Fall, Year Two STA 607 Theory of Statistical Inference II STA 643 Advanced Experimental Design MA 471G Advanced Calculus I
Spring, Year Two STA 632 Longitudinal Data Analysis STA 665 Analysis of Categorical Data STA 700 Foundations of Probability and Inference
Fall, Year Three STA 701 Advanced Statistical Inference I STA 703 Advanced Probability STA 705 Advanced Computational Inference
Spring, Year Three STA 707 Advanced Data Analysis STA 709 Advanced Survival Analysis Elective
Fall, Year Four Elective Residency Residency
Spring, Year Four Elective Residency Residency

Comprehensive Exam  

  • Students must pass a uniform written exam over STA 607, STA 700, STA 701, and STA 703 plus respective prerequisites.  

  • This exam will normally be offered at the end of May in the second year of the program. 

  • The uniform exam can be repeated once.  

 

Dissertation Research  

  • A student can choose their advisor at any time.  

  • After completion of tract course requirements and successful completion of the written exam, students must also successfully complete an oral qualifying exam which is scheduled in consultation with the student's advisory committee. A significant part of this exam is to be a dissertation proposal.  

*For details, see the Graduate School Bulletin. 

 

Recent PhD Graduates and Dissertation Abstracts

Below is a list of our recent graduates and the titles of their dissertations**.  If you would like to view any of the abstracts for the dissertations listed below, please use this link.