Statistical Science, MS

Program Overview

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Statistical Science, MS

Overview

Statistical Science is regarded as one of the oldest and most successful information technology (IT) subjects. It focuses on the conversion of raw data into information. In this graduate program, students are trained in the theory and practice of statistical methodology, particularly as it relates to high-technology applications.

Admissions

In addition to satisfying general admission requirements for graduate study, all applicants are expected to have basic computer literacy. They must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field that includes one year coursework in calculus, and one semester coursework in matrix or linear algebra. Applicants with degrees in such fields as mathematics, statistics, and some engineering programs usually meet these requirements. For applicants with degrees in other fields, these requirements are normally satisfied if students have successfully completed courses equivalent to the listed Mason courses.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 30

Core Courses

• Select 15 credits from the following:
  • STAT 521: Applied Probability and Statistical Inference
  • STAT 544: Applied Probability
  • STAT 554: Applied Statistics I
  • STAT 572: Applied Statistical Learning
  • STAT 634: Case Studies in Data Analysis
  • STAT 652: Statistical Inference
  • STAT 654: Applied Statistics II
  • STAT 663: Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization Total Credits: 15

Concentrations

• Concentration in Statistical Data Science (SDSC)
  • The Statistical Data Science Concentration prepares students for making contributions in statistical data science for positions in industry and government.
  • Required Courses
    • STAT 521: Applied Probability and Statistical Inference (3 credits)
    • STAT 554: Applied Statistics I (3 credits)
    • STAT 634: Case Studies in Data Analysis (3 credits)
    • STAT 654: Applied Statistics II (3 credits)
    • STAT 663: Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization (3 credits) Total Credits: 15
  • Methodology Courses
    • STAT 572: Applied Statistical Learning (3 credits)
    • Select 6 credits from the following:
      • STAT 507: Introduction to Statistical Data Science
      • STAT 540-799 Total Credits: 9
  • Electives
    • Select 6 credits of electives from the following:
      • STAT 500: Special Topics
      • STAT 517: Experimental Design
      • STAT 540-799
      • CS 504: Principles of Data Management and Mining
      • INFS 580: Analytics: Big Data to Information Total Credits: 6
• Concentration in Modern Statistics (MSTA)
  • The Modern Statistics Concentration provides students a rigorous curriculum encompassing theoretical underpinnings, sophisticated statistical modeling methodologies, and state-of-the-art techniques essential for addressing modern statistical challenges and advancing statistical practice in diverse fields.
  • Required Courses
    • STAT 544: Applied Probability (3 credits)
    • STAT 554: Applied Statistics I (3 credits)
    • STAT 634: Case Studies in Data Analysis (3 credits)
    • STAT 652: Statistical Inference (3 credits)
    • STAT 654: Applied Statistics II (3 credits) Total Credits: 15
  • Methodology Courses
    • Methodology courses may be chosen from any STAT courses numbered 540-778 Total Credits: 9
  • Electives
    • Select 6 credits of electives from the following:
      • STAT 500: Special Topics
      • STAT 507: Introduction to Statistical Data Science
      • STAT 515: Applied Statistics and Visualization for Analytics
      • STAT 517: Experimental Design
      • STAT 540-799
      • ECE 535: Digital Signal Processing
      • ECE 630: Principles of Digital Communications
      • ECON 637: Econometrics I
      • MATH 551: Regression and Time Series
      • MATH 553: Advanced Mathematical Statistics in Actuarial Sciences
      • MATH 555: Actuarial Modeling I
      • MATH 556: Actuarial Modeling II
      • MATH 653: Construction and Evaluation of Actuarial Models I
      • MATH 654: Construction and Evaluation of Actuarial Models II
      • OR 531: Introduction to Analytics and Modeling
      • OR 541: Operations Research: Deterministic Optimization
      • OR 542: Operations Research: Stochastic Models
      • OR 645: Stochastic Processes
      • OR 647: Queuing Theory
      • OR 675: Reliability Analysis
      • SYST 664: Bayesian Artificial Intelligence Total Credits: 6

Project or Thesis

• Depending on career ambitions, students in the Modern Statistics Concentration may select either the professional (Project) or research (Thesis) option, with approval of a faculty advisor and Department Chair or their designee.
• Project (Professional) Option
  • Students need to register for STAT 798 Master's Research Project only once for 3 credits.
  • Students complete a master's research project resulting in a technical report.
• Thesis (Research) Option
  • Students register for STAT 799 Master's Thesis at least twice (6 credits).
  • Research is conducted, with approval, under the guidance of a faculty member.

Mathematics and Statistical Science Dual-Degree MS

Overview

This program allows students to earn an MS in Mathematics and an MS in Statistical Science by completing 48 credits of coursework in both areas instead of the 60 that would be required if the degrees were sought independently.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy admission requirements for both the MS in Mathematics and the MS in Statistical Science programs. A joint faculty committee from the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the Department of Statistics make final admission decisions into the dual-degree program.

MS-MATH/STAT Dual-Degree Requirements

Total credits: 48

Required Courses

• MATH 621: Algebra I (3 credits)
• MATH 675: Linear Analysis (3 credits)
• MATH 677: Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)
• or MATH 678: Partial Differential Equations
• MATH 685: Numerical Analysis (3 credits)
• STAT 544: Applied Probability (3 credits)
• STAT 554: Applied Statistics I (3 credits)
• STAT 634: Case Studies in Data Analysis (3 credits)
• STAT 652: Statistical Inference (3 credits)
• STAT 654: Applied Statistics II (3 credits) Total Credits: 27

Electives

• Select 12 elective credits in MATH courses numbered 615 or higher
• Select any STAT courses numbered 540-778 Total Credits: 21

Notes

• Students in either the BS/Accelerated MS in Mathematics program or the BS(selected)/Accelerated MS in Statistical Science program cannot get a reduction of 6 credits toward this dual degree.
• If a student decides not to complete the required 48 credits, a single MS degree will not be granted unless the student fulfills the requirements for either the MS in Mathematics or the MS in Statistical Science.

Operations Research and Statistical Science Dual-Degree MS

Overview

This program allows students to earn an MS in Operations Research and an MS in Statistical Science by completing 48 credits of coursework in both areas instead of the 60 that would be required if the degrees were sought independently.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy admission requirements for the MS in Operations Research Program and the MS in Statistical Science Program. A joint faculty committee from the Statistics and Systems Engineering and Operations Research Departments make final admission decisions into the dual-degree program.

MS-OPRS/STAT Dual Degree Requirements

Total credits: 48

Required Courses

• OR 541: Operations Research: Deterministic Optimization (3 credits)
• OR 542: Operations Research: Stochastic Models (3 credits)
• OR 635: Discrete System Simulation (3 credits)
• OR 699: Masters Project (3 credits)
• STAT 544: Applied Probability (3 credits)
• STAT 554: Applied Statistics I (3 credits)
• STAT 634: Case Studies in Data Analysis (3 credits)
• STAT 652: Statistical Inference (3 credits)
• STAT 654: Applied Statistics II (3 credits) Total Credits: 27

Elective Credits in OR Courses

• Select 12 elective credits in OR courses at the 600 level, including at least one deterministic methods course and at least one stochastic methods course:
  • Deterministic Methods Courses:
    • OR 641: Linear Programming
    • OR 642: Integer Programming
    • OR 643: Network Modeling
    • OR 644: Nonlinear Programming
    • OR 670: Metaheuristics for Optimization
  • Stochastic Methods Courses:
    • OR 645: Stochastic Processes
    • OR 646: Stochastic Optimization
    • OR 647: Queuing Theory
    • OR 674: Dynamic Programming
    • OR 675: Reliability Analysis
    • SYST 664: Bayesian Artificial Intelligence Total Credits: 12

Elective Credits in STAT Courses

• Select 9 elective credits from any STAT courses numbered 540-775 Total Credits: 9

Notes

• Students currently enrolled in one of the MS programs must declare pursuit of the dual MS within one year of matriculation into the first MS program.
• A maximum of 6 credits across the two disciplines may be in independent research (thesis).
• Students in either the BS (selected)/Operations Research, Accelerated MS program or the BS (selected)/Statistical Science, Accelerated MS program cannot get a reduction of 6 credits toward this dual degree.

BS (any)/Statistical Science, Accelerated MS

Overview

Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program (BAM) and obtain an undergraduate BS degree and the Statistical Science, MS in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

No specific undergraduate BS degree is required. Students enrolled in any BS degree may apply to the accelerated Statistical Science, MS program if such an accelerated Statistical Science, MS pathway is allowable from the student's BS program, which will be determined by the academic advisors of both the BS and MS programs.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the Statistical Science, MS program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:

• Completion of Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completion of application for graduation.
• An overall GPA of 3.00.
• Completion of the following Mason courses each with a grade of C or better:
  • MATH 213: Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (3 credits)
  • MATH 203: Linear Algebra (3 credits)
  • or MATH 321: Abstract Algebra
  • STAT 250: Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • or STAT 344: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I
  • STAT 346: Probability for Engineers (3 credits)
  • or MATH 351: Probability
  • STAT 362: Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages (3 credits)

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, students complete all credits satisfying degree requirements for the BS and MS programs, with up to twelve credits overlap chosen from the following graduate courses:

• STAT 544: Applied Probability (3 credits)
• or STAT 521: Applied Probability and Statistical Inference
• STAT 554: Applied Statistics I (3 credits)
• STAT 560: Biostatistical Methods (3 credits)
• STAT 574: Survey Sampling I (3 credits)
• STAT 663: Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization (3 credits)

Statistics, BS/Statistical Science, Accelerated MS

Overview

Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program (BAM) and obtain the Statistics, BS and the Statistical Science, MS in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the Statistical Science, MS program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:

• Completion of Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completion of application for graduation.
• An overall GPA of 3.00.
• Completion of the following Mason courses each with a grade of C or better:
  • MATH 114: Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4 credits)
  • MATH 203: Linear Algebra (3 credits)
  • STAT 334: Introduction to Probability Models and Simulation (3 credits)
  • or STAT 346: Probability for Engineers
  • STAT 354: Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II (3 credits)
  • or STAT 360: Introduction to Statistical Practice II
  • STAT 362: Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages (3 credits)

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, students complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BS and MS programs, with up to twelve credits overlap chosen from the following graduate courses:

• STAT 544: Applied Probability (3 credits)
• or STAT 521: Applied Probability and Statistical Inference
• STAT 554: Applied Statistics I (3 credits)
• STAT 560: Biostatistical Methods (3 credits)
• STAT 574: Survey Sampling I (3 credits)
• STAT 663: Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization (3 credits)