MS in Statistics

The MS in Statistics is a popular degree as either a terminal degree or together with a doctorate in another field. The master's degree satisfies the Ph.D. minor requirements.

Program Summary

The department requires that the student take 45 units of work from offerings in the Department of Statistics or from authorized courses in other departments. Of these 45 units, eight statistics courses from the list of required courses must be taken for a letter grade. An overall 2.75 grade point average (GPA) is required. Additional courses from the list of authorized electives may be used to complete the unit requirement. Because departments often change their offerings, please contact one of the master's advisors for approval of courses not on this list. Each student must also complete the mathematics and the programming requirements. There is no thesis requirement.

Department seminars are an integral part of the program and provide an opportunity to interact with leading academic and industry speakers. 

Consent of the adviser is required in order to take more than six units of Stat 260ABC (Workshop in Biostatistics), Stat 390 (Consulting Workshop), or Stat 399 (Research).

Courses below 200 level are generally not acceptable, with the following exceptions:
Stat: 116, 191
Math: 103, 113, 115, 151, 171, 180
CS: 106A, 106B, 106X, 137, 138
At most, one of these two courses may be counted:
1. Math 151 or Stats 116
2. Math 103 or Math 113

With the advice of the masters advisors and of peer students, each student selects his/her own set of electives and pace of study. Ordinarily, four or five quarters are needed to complete all requirements.  Students who do not complete all requirements within three years of admission will have their program terminated.

Accelerated load (9 months - not typical): September-June; typically 5 courses per quarter for 3 quarters
Normal load (12 months): September-August; 3-4 courses per quarter for 4 quarters, including one summer quarter
Normal load (15-18 months - more common scenarios):
September-June, September-December or March; This allows for greater flexibility in choosing electives and a lighter course load in the last quarter (which can then be dedicated to job interviewing).

All students are expected to abide by the Honor Code and the Fundamental Standard.

Masters Advisors
Students' academic progress is monitored by faculty advisors, currently Brad Efron and David Siegmund.

Careers
Students with a master's degree have found employment in industry, pharmaceuticals, government and business.

The American Statistical Association, in conjunction with other statistical societies, has prepared a brochure, "Careers in Statistics", that can be obtained by writing to the ASA (1429 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3402). The ASA also maintains a website, www.amstat.org, and the section on education and careers may be helpful.

The book 101 Careers in Mathematics, published by the Mathematical Association of America  (P.O. Box 91112, Washington, DC 20090-1112; phone 1-800-331-1MAA; fax 1-301-206-9789) provides a description of careers in the mathematical sciences, and includes about ten careers in statistics. This book also includes an appendix that provides information about finding a job.