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Overview of the M.Stat Program

The Professional Master in Statistics (M.Stat) Program offers a customized and individualized programs based on the interests and career objectives of the student. Students are allowed to choose either a broad-based or specialized program of study.  All choices, however, provide a balanced training in statistical methods, computational statistics, and statistical theory, and are intended to prepare the student to adapt statistical methodologies to practical problems in a professional setting.

Course of Study

The M.Stat is a non-thesis Master's degree, and does not require an internship. Students are required to take 30 hours of approved coursework, with additional recommended career-enhancing enrichment courses. Depending on the student's selected specialization, the mix of required, track-specific and elective courses will be jointly determined by the student and the graduate advisor. You will meet with your advisor during the first year of the program to select an individualized plan of study, with periodic tune-ups as the program progresses.

The program normally takes three semesters of full-time course work, although very strong students may finish in two semesters; it is also possible to complete the program on a part-time basis, so long as the student eventually satisfies the 1-semester residency requirement.

Core Curriculum

Required Courses

These courses are normally completed by the end of the first 2 semesters

  • Overview of Mathematical Statistics (STAT 431)
  • Statistical Computing and Graphics (STAT 405)
  • Introduction to Regression and Statistical Computing (STAT 410)
  • Advanced Statistical Methods (STAT 411)
  • Courses Specific to Area of Specialization

    These courses are recommended for the specialization track that is to be developed between the M.Stat student and their advisor (Director of M.Stat Program). Courses include recommended core and elective courses. The current recommended core courses are listed below; recommended electives and courses for certain tracks such as Applied Statistics for Industry and Preparation for Ph.D. Studies are developed separately.

    Financial Statistics and the Statistics of Risk

  • Computational Finance I - Market Models (STAT 686)
  • Comp Finance II - Applied Time Series and Forecasting (STAT 621)
  • Quantitative Financial Analytics (STAT 682)
  • Bioinformatics, Statistical Genetics, and Biostatistics

  • From Sequence to Structure: An Introduction to Computational Biology (STAT 470)
  • Biostatistics (STAT 553)
  • Probability in Bioinformatics and Genetics (STAT 623)
  • Probability and Statistics for Systems Biology (STAT 673)
  • Statistical Computing and Data Mining

  • Bayesian Data Analysis (STAT 622)
  • Multivariate Analysis (STAT 541)
  • Simulation (STAT 542)
  • Data Mining and Statistical Learning (STAT 640)
  • Environmental Statistics

  • Quantitative Environmental Decision Making (STAT 685)
  • Environmental Risk Assessment & Human Health (STAT 684)
  • Free Electives

    Electives are targeted in the subfield of interest. Students may be asked to take specific courses outside the department, depending on the incoming background of the student, career objectives and funding sources.

    Program Specialization

    M.Stat students can choose to focus their studies in any of the following program areas (see program details for more information on these specializations):

    Applied Statistics for Industry
    Financial Statistics and the Statistics of Risk
    Bioinformatics, Statistical Genetics, and Biostatistics
    Statistical Computing and Data Mining
    Environmental Statistics
    Joint MBA/M.Stat Degree Program
    Preparation for Ph.D. Studies in Statistics, Mathematical Economics, and Finance

    Admission to the M.Stat program does not carry any commitment of financial aid, and the student is expected to be fully responsible for tuition and fees throughout the program.  Tuition is based on hours taken; full-time tuition is based on registering for at least  9 hours; for more details, see application process.

    International students must pay careful attention to rules regarding financial disclosure, full-time status and optional and practical training (if needed). The International Students and Scholars Office (OISS) is the source of information on these issues.