Academic Catalog

Mathematical Statistics (M.A.)

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School.

The entrance requirements for the master’s program in statistics includes successful completion of course work equivalent to the following:

Calculus sequence:
Calculus I
Calculus II
Calculus III
MAT 2250Elementary Linear Algebra3
MAT 2150Differential Equations and Matrix Algebra4
or MAT 2350 Elementary Differential Equations
MAT 5070Elementary Analysis4
At least 3 more credits in Mathematics at the 5000 level

Credit accrued in courses such as the history of mathematics or the teaching of mathematics, in which the study of mathematics itself is not the primary purpose will not be counted toward this requirement.

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts in Mathematical Statistics is offered under the following options:

Plan A: Twenty-four credits in course work plus an eight credit thesis in the area of mathematical statistics.

Plan B: Twenty-seven credits in course work plus a three credit essay in the area of mathematical statistics.

Plan C: Thirty credits in course work.

Degree Requirements

At least twenty-four credits in course work from the Department of Mathematics, including credits earned toward a thesis or essay under Plan A or Plan B options.
Select one of the following (if not previously taken):
Introduction to Analysis I
and Introduction to Analysis II
Real Analysis I
Statistical Computing and Data Analysis
and Introduction to Data Science
Select one of the following (if not previously taken):
Introduction to Probability Theory
and Introduction to Stochastic Processes
Advanced Probability Theory I
Select one of the following (if not previously taken):
Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
Advanced Statistics Theory I
Select at least three additional courses of the following: 1
Statistical Computing and Data Analysis
Numerical Methods I
Numerical Methods II
Applied Linear Algebra
Algebra I
Algebra II
Topological Data Analysis
Introduction to Analysis I
Introduction to Analysis II
Introduction to Stochastic Processes
Mathematics of Finance
Mathematical Models in Operations Research
Introduction to Data Science
Applied Time Series
Methods of Optimization
Special Topics in Mathematics 2
Advanced Linear Algebra
Complex Analysis
Design of Experiments
Applied Regression Analysis
Advanced Algebra I
Advanced Probability Theory I
Special Topics in Probability
Advanced Statistics Theory I
Advanced Statistics Theory II
Topics in Statistics
1

MAT 7700 is recommended. Other courses may be approved by the Departmental Graduate Committee on an individual basis. 

2

Topic has to be related to probability or statistics and needs the approval of the Departmental Graduate Committee.

A final oral examination. All students in Plan C are required to take this examination. Students in Plan A or B may, upon recommendation of the thesis or essay adviser, be excused from the final oral examination by the Departmental Graduate Committee.

A public lecture on the thesis or essay for each student in Plan A or Plan B.

By the time twelve credits have been earned, each student must submit a Plan of Work, approved by a departmental adviser, to the director of the program. In the Plan of Work, the student must choose Plan A, Plan B, or Plan C. The Plan of Work must be approved by the Departmental Graduate Committee, at which time the student will be advanced to candidacy. Students are not allowed to take more than twelve credits in the program unless candidacy has been established.

NOTE: Candidates for the Master of Arts in Mathematical Statistics are exempt from the Graduate School requirement that six credits in the major field must be in courses numbered 7000 and above.

NOTE: The following courses cannot be applied towards this degree:

MAT 5000Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics and Proof Writing3
MAT 5070Elementary Analysis4
MAT 6130Discrete Mathematics 3
MAT 6140Geometry: An Axiomatic Approach3
MAT 6150Probability and Statistics for Teachers4
MAT 6170Algebra: Ring Theory Through Exploration, Conjecture, and Proof4
MAT 6180Algebra: Group Theory Through Exploration, Conjecture, and Proof3
MAT 6200Teaching Arithmetic, Algebra and Functions from an Advanced Perspective3
MAT 6210Teaching Geometry, Probability and Statistics, and Discrete Mathematics from an Advanced Perspective3

Academic Scholarship: All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

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