Program: Statistics, Biostatistics Concentration, M.S. - San Diego State University

May 11, 2025

2025-2026 University Catalog

(Major Code: 17021) (Academic Plan Code: 776370MSS)

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the master’s degree as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees , the student must meet the following program requirements:

The student should have completed before entering the program the following undergraduate coursework: three semesters of calculus, one semester of linear algebra, and one semester of probability theory. The student should also have working knowledge of a programming language before entering the program. Students lacking some of the above undergraduate coursework may be admitted conditionally and may make up this coursework during the first year of the program (these courses will not be counted toward the degree course requirements).

The student must complete a minimum of 33 units of course-work as described below. Upon entry to the program, the student will be assigned to a graduate adviser in biostatistics. Thereafter, the adviser will meet with the student each semester and discuss his or her academic program. A program of study must be approved by the graduate adviser in biostatistics.

Students need at least a B grade in core courses STAT 610, STAT 670A, STAT 670B, and STAT 680A. Students may include only up to nine units of 500-level courses as part of their program of study. Only one unit of STAT 720 may be counted towards a student’s program of study.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees .

Required Courses

(18 units)

STAT 610 - Linear Regression Models Units: 3 (minimum grade of “B” or better is required)
STAT 670A - Advanced Mathematical Statistics Units: 3 (minimum grade of “B” or better is required)
STAT 670B - Advanced Mathematical Statistics Units: 3 (minimum grade of “B” or better is required)
STAT 680A - Advanced Biostatistical Methods Units: 3 (minimum grade of “B” or better is required)
STAT 520 - Applied Multivariate Analysis Units: 3
or
STAT 700 - Data Analysis Methods Units: 3
STAT 720 - Seminar Units: 1-3 (taken for 1 unit)
STAT 798 - Special Study Units: 1-3 (taken for 2 units)

Electives

(12 units)

Nine units from biostatistics and statistics selected from the following with the approval of the graduate adviser:

STAT 560 - Sample Surveys Units: 3
STAT 596 - Advanced Topics in Statistics Units: 1-4
STAT 672 - Nonparametric Statistics Units: 3
STAT 673 - Time Series Analysis Units: 3
STAT 676 - Bayesian Statistics Units: 3
STAT 677 - Design of Experiments Units: 3
STAT 678 - Survival Analysis Units: 3
STAT 680B - Advanced Biostatistical Methods Units: 3
STAT 696 - Selected Topics in Statistics Units: 3
STAT 701 - Monte Carlo Statistical Methods Units: 3
STAT 702 - Data Mining Statistical Methods Units: 3
STAT 794 - Statistical Communication in Data Science Units: 3
STAT 795 - Practicum in Statistical Consulting Units: 3

Note

Three additional units of graduate adviser approved 500-level or above courses from a science application of biostatistics (e.g., bioscience, health science, or medical science). If the student has an undergraduate degree in an area of application of biostatistics, 500-level or above mathematical sciences courses may be substituted with the approval of the graduate adviser.

Culminating Experience

(3 units)

Plan A

STAT 799A with approval of the graduate adviser and the faculty member from the division of statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics who will chair the committee. One of the other two members of the thesis committee must be a faculty member from a science of application of biostatistics (i.e., bioscience, health science, or medical science). Plan A students are also required to pass a final oral examination on the thesis, open to the public.

Plan B

Pass a written comprehensive examination and complete 3 additional units of 600- and 700- numbered statistics courses as approved by the graduate adviser. Policy and procedure for the Plan B examination are documented and available from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.