Mar 28, 2024  
2021/2022 University Catalog 
    
2021/2022 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Statistics, Biostatistics Concentration, M.S.


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(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.

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


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.

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