Statistics, Biostatistics Concentration, M.S.

(Major Code: 17021) (SIMS Code: 776370)

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 31 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.

Advancement to Candidacy

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

Core Statistics Courses

Complete STAT 610 , STAT 670A , STAT 670B with no grade less than B in each course. These are core statistics courses.

Biostatistics Concentration Courses

Complete STAT 680A , STAT 680B with no grade less than B in each course. These are biostatistics concentration courses.

Biostatistics and Statistics

Complete at least six units of courses in biostatistics and statistics, selected from the following with the approval of the graduate adviser in biostatistics:

STAT 520 - Applied Multivariate Analysis Units: 3
STAT 560 - Sample Surveys Units: 3
STAT 580 - Statistical Computing 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 696 - Selected Topics in Statistics Units: 3
STAT 700 - Data Analysis Methods Units: 3
STAT 701 - Monte Carlo Statistical Methods Units: 3
STAT 702 - Data Mining Statistical Methods Units: 3
STAT 795 - Practicum in Statistical Consulting Units: 3

500-level or Graduate Courses

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

Complete One Unit of

STAT 720 - Seminar Units: 1-3

Plan A

With approval of the graduate adviser and the faculty member who will chair the thesis committee, the student may choose Plan A and complete three units of STAT 799A . The chair of the thesis committee must be a faculty member from the division of statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. 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). The student must pass an oral defense of the thesis, open to the public.

Plan B

In other cases, Plan B will be followed. Students who choose Plan B are required to complete three additional units of 600- and 700-numbered statistics courses, not including STAT 799A , and pass a comprehensive written examination. Policy and procedures for the Plan B examination are documented and available from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.