Phone: 703-993-3645
Web: statistics.gmu.edu
Professors: Carr, Gentle, Rosenberger (chair), Wegman
Associate professors: Bell, Bolstein, Davis (associate chair), Habib, Miller, Sutton
Assistant professors: Diao, Tang
Instructors: Sims (visiting)
Adjunct professors: Cohen, Jang, Kamocsai, Keller, McFadden, Sirgany, Sullivan
The Statistics Department offers all courses designated STAT in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.
Statistical methods and methods for data analysis are crucial for researching and exploring the life sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, business, nursing, education, and engineering. The Statistics Department offers a variety of introductory courses and more advanced course work in specialized statistical methodology and applications. The focus of the department’s offerings is applied, with special emphasis on biostatistics, graphics and visualization, federal and survey statistics, and engineering applications of statistics and data analysis.
Introductory courses are targeted for undergraduates in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Health and Human Services, as well as in the Volgenau School. The STAT 250–350 sequence is targeted for general audiences, while the STAT 344–354 sequence is targeted for technical and scientific audiences. STAT 362 deals with computer statistical packages and is appropriate as a second or third course for students from a wide variety of backgrounds. It is strongly recommended for students who elect to minor in data analysis.
Although the department does not offer an undergraduate degree in statistics, it does offer a certificate program in applied statistics and a minor in data analysis. Also, a variety of advanced undergraduate courses is available for inclusion in other degree programs.
CERB-ASTA
This program complements undergraduate degree programs in computer science, systems engineering, electrical engineering, civil and infrastructure engineering, and mathematics. Undergraduates majoring in other discipline areas may be admitted to the certificate program at the discretion of the department.
The program expands career options available to students because the demand is great in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for people with interdisciplinary training, which includes a background in statistics and data analysis. Inquiries should be directed to the Statistics Department. Students who plan to work toward the certificate should seek advice from the department’s undergraduate coordinator.
This certificate program requires 24 credits: STAT 344 or 346; 354; 362; and 474 or 574; along with four courses chosen from STAT 435, 455, 457, 463, 498, 499; ECON 445; OR/SYST 335; OR/MATH 441, 442; OR 481/MATH 446; and SYST 473.
The minor provides students with a background in data analysis and statistical methodology. It is intended to complement undergraduate degree programs in the Volgenau School and the College of Science, especially computer science, economics, environmental engineering, geography, mathematics, public administration, sociology, and systems engineering.
The minor requires 15 credits: a core sequence of 6 credits, plus 9 credits of electives. Grades of C or better are required in all courses. At least 9 of the 15 credits must be in STAT courses. At least 8 credits must be in courses not required by the student’s major.
To satisfy the core requirement, students must complete one of these sequences with grades of C or better: STAT 250–350 or STAT 344–354. Mathematics majors may substitute MATH 351–352 for STAT 344–354, provided the 9 elective credits are all STAT courses. The 9 elective credits must be chosen from a list of courses approved by the department’s undergraduate coordinator. Courses currently approved for the minor are STAT 362, 435, 455, 457, 463, 474, 499; CEIE 410; CS 450; ECON 445; GEOG 300; GOVT 400; OR/SYST 335; SOCI 405; and SYST 473.
This degree option allows Mason students to earn an MS in statistical science in less time than if they had first graduated from a suitable Mason BS program and then applied to the MS program.
Students must begin MS work within six months following completion of a BS degree in any one of the Volgenau School major areas or a BS in mathematics from the College of Science. Admission is guaranteed to any student with an overall GPA of 3.00 in courses taken after the first two undergraduate years (60 credits) with grades of B or better in the two 500-level STAT courses selected from STAT 544, 554, and 574.
The program consists of a minimum of 144 credits that satisfy the requirements for both the BS in the undergraduate major and the MS in statistical science with 6 credits of overlap. Twenty-four credits are required for the MS, provided that students have taken two of STAT 544, 554, and 574 as part of their BS course work.
MS-STAT
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 impinges on high-technology applications.
The MS program offers a choice of the following subject matter emphases: applied statistics, computational statistics, engineering statistics, federal statistics, and statistical signal processing. Students usually select one of these emphases or design a customized curriculum in conjunction with a faculty advisor. Students also select the research or the professional option. The research option is for students planning to continue with a PhD degree or begin or continue careers in statistical methodology research. The professional option provides MS degree qualifications to those seeking an expanded knowledge base in modern statistical theory and practice but do not wish to pursue a research career. Such students might plan to work in statistics, go on to professional schools, teach statistics at a secondary level, or pursue other careers in which advanced work in statistical methodology is necessary or advantageous but in which independent research is not involved.
In addition to satisfying general admission requirements for graduate study, all applicants must demonstrate basic computer literacy. They also must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field that includes course work in calculus or real analysis, matrix or linear algebra, and calculus-based probability and statistics. Applicants with degrees in such fields as mathematics, computer science, statistics, and engineering automatically meet this requirement. For applicants with degrees in other fields, this requirement is normally satisfied if students have successfully completed courses equivalent to the following Mason courses: MATH 113, 114, 213; 203 or 322; and STAT 344 or MATH 351. Course work taken to correct deficiencies in undergraduate preparation is not counted toward the degree.
While the GRE is not required for admission, it is recommended for students competing for graduate teaching assistantships, fellowships, and research assistantships. International students from non-English-speaking countries who seek a graduate teaching assistantship should take the Test of Spoken English in addition to the TOEFL, which is required for admission.
In addition to meeting general requirements that apply to master’s degrees at Mason, all students must complete the 12-credit core requirements for the degree:
The core course work covers the basic elements of statistics at the graduate level. STAT 544 covers the major mathematical framework for statistical theory and practice. STAT 652 provides basic statistical theory. After completing this course, students have the theoretical basis from which statistical methods are derived.
STAT 554 is a survey of statistical methods that have become the backbone of statistical practice. Focus in this course is on techniques that quantify random behavior. The final core course is STAT 656, which focuses on determining the relationship between two or more quantities possibly measured with error.
Students build on these core requirements by choosing one of five defined emphases or designing a customized curriculum with advisor concurrence. The defined emphases are applied statistics, computational statistics, engineering statistics, federal statistics, and statistical signal processing.
Each emphasis area requires students to select four courses from a specific list and two approved electives. The lists are as follows:
Elective courses may be chosen from any graduate STAT courses except STAT 535, 700, 701, and STAT courses numbered 876 or higher. STAT 779 and 789 may be repeated for credit with prior written approval of the department’s graduate coordinator. Also, certain courses from other departments may be chosen with prior written approval of the department’s graduate coordinator, generally not to exceed 6 credits.
A student enrolled in the Certificate in Actuarial Sciences Program and the MS in Statistical Sciences Program may count MATH 555 and 556 as approved non-STAT elective courses and can count MATH 653 and 654 as STAT electives when designing a curriculum for this degree. Credit toward the MS in statistical sciences will not be given for both MATH 654 and STAT 668. The full curriculum should be designed with the approval of the student’s statistics academic advisor and the statistics graduate coordinator.
Students select either the professional or research option, depending on career ambitions. This choice should be made no later than the end of the semester in which 15 credits have been completed.
The professional option focuses on completing course work in modern statistical theory and practice. Thirty credits are required for the degree; 12 credits must be in core courses taken by all MS students, with 18 additional credits taken from the approved list or with advisor approval. Students electing this option are encouraged to pursue a broad background in statistical science, and they may seek to concentrate on applications of statistical methodology to other disciplines.
Students who select the professional option may elect to write a master’s essay. This piece is not an original research report but a scholarly essay on a topic of current interest in the statistical science discipline. The essay is usually about 20 to 25 pages long and demonstrates the student’s ability to read and synthesize current technical literature into a scholarly essay. The essay is evaluated by the student’s advisor, taking into account the comprehensiveness of the coverage of the scientific literature, the accuracy of presentation and interpretation, and the literary style. Students are notified of their evaluations, and they may be required to revise their essay to develop their skills in preparing reports on technical subjects. The essay is usually written in the context of STAT 798 Master’s Essay. Students who complete the essay take 27 credits of course work and 3 credits of STAT 798 Master’s Essay. Students opting not to write an essay must take 30 credits of course work.
The research option requires 30 credits, including 6 credits that must be in independent research (thesis). Research is done under the guidance of a faculty member. Research may be carried out at Mason or, if appropriate, at nearby facilities. For example, students may pursue research at their place of employment on topics of interest to their employer, provided the research meets the standards of the university. The remaining 24 credits must include the 12 core credits and elective courses taken from the approved list or added with the consent of the thesis advisor.
In addition to satisfying general university requirements for a master’s degree, candidates with the research option must submit a thesis or report based on the research to the student’s thesis committee, which must give preliminary approval. The composition and appointment of this committee follows graduate program policies.
Candidates also must pass a final oral exam that concentrates on, but is not limited to, the area on which the thesis or report is written. The exam is administered by the student’s thesis committee, and all interested members of the graduate faculty are invited to attend and participate in the questioning. The thesis committee makes the final decision on whether the candidate passes or fails.
MS-OPRS, MS-STAT
This program allows students to earn an MS in operations research and an MS in statistical science by completing 48 credits of course work in both areas instead of the 60 that would be required if the degrees were sought independently.
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.
The dual-degree program requires a total of 48 credits as specified below:
A maximum of 6 credits across the two disciplines may be in independent research (thesis). The requirements for independent research are the same as detailed for the associated MS program.
Students in either the BS/Accelerated MS in Operations Research Program or the BS/Accelerated MS in Statistics Program cannot get a reduction of 6 credits toward this dual degree. Students who want to proceed to a PhD degree will only be able to waive the number of credits specified in the associated PhD degree requirements, even though they will have 48 credits at the MS level.
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 the MS in operations research or the MS in statistical science.
MS-MATH, MS-STAT
This program allows students to earn an MS degree in mathematics and an MS degree in statistical science by completing 48 credits of course work in both areas instead of the 60 that would be required if the degrees were sought independently.
Applicants must satisfy admission requirements for both the MS in Mathematics Program and the MS in Statistical Science Program. A joint faculty committee from the Mathematical Sciences and Statistics Departments make final admission decisions into the dual-degree program.
The dual-degree program requires a total of 48 credits as specified below:
Students in either the BS/Accelerated MS in Mathematics Program or the BS/Accelerated MS in Statistics Program, cannot get a reduction of 6 credits toward this dual degree. Students who want to proceed to a PhD degree will only be able to waive the number of credits specified in the associated PhD degree requirements, even though they will have 48 credits at the MS level.
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.
HH-MS-EBST
This joint program with the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) prepares participants to apply epidemiological and statistical principles to quantitative analysis of health care issues. It is aimed at health scientists and professionals in government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, as well as in pharmaceutical companies, research hospitals, public health agencies, and other medical research organizations with the need to design experiments for medical and health services research. Graduates are also expected to analyze and interpret increasingly complex nonexperimental health care data. The degree is taught jointly by faculty from Volgenau School’s Department of Statistics and CHHS’ Department of Global and Community Health.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a discipline related to health science or statistics with a GPA of 3.00 in the last 60 credits is required. Such fields include medicine, biology, nursing, health science, biostatistics, statistics, mathematics, and psychology. Courses in calculus at the undergraduate level through multivariate calculus equivalent to MATH 113, 114, and 213 with a grade of B or better are required for admission to the program. Applications to the degree program are made through CHHS. A joint faculty committee from the Volgenau School’s Department of Statistics and CHHS’ Department of Global and Community Health make admission decisions.
The degree requires 36 credits, as specified below:
| Credits | |
|---|---|
|
Core Requirements |
12 |
|
GCH 712 Introduction to Epidemiology |
3 |
|
GCH 726 Advanced Seminar in Epidemiology |
3 |
|
STAT 554 Applied Statistics |
3 |
|
STAT 660 Biostatistical Methods |
3 |
|
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Requirements |
9 |
|
Select a minimum of three courses from the following: |
|
|
GCH 605 Social Epidemiology |
3 |
|
GCH 680 International Research Ethics and Methods |
3 |
|
GCH 722 Infectious Disease Epidemiology |
3 |
|
GCH 732 Chronic Disease Epidemiology |
3 |
|
GCH 752 Nutritional Epidemiology |
3 |
|
GCH/NURS 804 Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis for Healthcare Research I |
3 |
|
GCH/NURS 805 Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis for Healthcare Research II |
3 |
|
GCH/NURS 807 Measurement Theories and Applications in Healthcare Research |
3 |
|
Statistics Requirements |
9 |
|
Choose three from the following list of statistics courses: |
|
|
STAT 544 Applied Probability |
3 |
|
STAT 574 Survey Sampling I |
3 |
|
STAT 652 Statistical Inference |
3 |
|
STAT 655 Analysis of Variance |
3 |
|
STAT 656 Regression Analysis |
3 |
|
STAT 657 Nonparametric Statistics |
3 |
|
STAT 662 Multivariate Statistical Methods |
3 |
|
STAT 665 Categorical Data Analysis |
3 |
|
STAT 668 Survival Analysis |
3 |
|
STAT 673 Statistical Methods for Longitudinal Data Analysis |
3 |
|
Electives |
6 |
|
Choose two electives (6 credits) in consultation with advisor. Students may choose to work with their advisor to conduct an epidemiology/biostatistics project. |
CERG-BSTA
This certificate, a joint program with CHHS, prepares participants to apply statistical methods to quantitative analysis of health care issues. It is aimed at health scientists and professionals in government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, pharmaceutical companies, research hospitals, public health agencies, and other medical research organizations that design medical experiments and analyze and interpret increasingly complex health care data. The program will also help prepare students begin careers in such organizations. The certificate is taught jointly by faculty from the Department of Statistics and Department of Global and Community Health.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in a discipline related to health science or statistics, with a GPA of 3.00 in the last 60 credits. Such fields include medicine, biology, nursing, health science, biostatistics, statistics, mathematics, and psychology. A course in college algebra with a grade of B or higher is required for admission to the program.
Students must complete one course from each of the five groups.
CERG-FSS
This professional program is targeted at upgrading the skills of practitioners. The federal statistical system is a complex data collection and analysis system that requires a wide variety of multidisciplinary skills for its maintenance. The federal statistics certificate is intended to respond to the need for broad training in statistics; survey methods; data analysis, including graphics and data visualization; databases and data security; parallel computation and related technology; geographic information systems; and issues of statistics and public policy. The program is extremely flexible and can be tailored to the needs of students within the federal statistical sector. It is also intended to be responsive to the needs of those in state and local governments, and those in the private sector involved in the collection, interpretation, or statistical analysis of federal data.
Potential candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree and have taken at least two courses in calculus and one course in probability or statistics at the 300 level or higher. The recommended minimum preparation includes MATH 113–114 and STAT 344 or their equivalents. Candidates must also be computer literate. Applicants typically have degrees in such fields as sociology, economics, engineering, mathematics, statistics, and business. Candidates should inquire with the department’s graduate coordinator for details of program planning. Courses are offered in late afternoon and evening and are particularly suitable for part-time students.
The certificate program consists of 15 credits (five courses), which are selected from certificate courses and electives. The certificate courses build the foundations of statistical analysis and survey methods. They consist of the following:
All of these courses, except for STAT 535, may be used for credit toward the MS in statistical science. Credit is granted for only one of STAT 535 and 554.
For the certificate program, students must choose three of the certificate courses plus two electives chosen with the consent of the department’s graduate coordinator. The electives are intended to provide a broad background supportive of the multidisciplinary needs of complex statistical systems. They include courses from economics, operations research, public administration, sociology, and statistics. Only one course (3 credits) can be outside the Statistics Department program and must be approved in advance by the department’s graduate coordinator. Suggested electives include STAT 544, 655, 656, 657, 660, 662, 664, 668, 875; ECON 637; OR 541, 542; PUAD 741, 742; and SOCI 631. Some courses may have prerequisites for which students must qualify or seek a waiver from the appropriate instructor. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required, and no more than one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. Only one of STAT 501–503 can be applied toward the 15 credits required for the certificate.
CERG-SIGP
The Department of Statistics, in conjunction with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, offers the certificate in signal processing, which provides graduate students with a program of courses and laboratory experience. Course work for the graduate certificate can be used for credit toward the MS in statistical science as well as the MS in electrical engineering. The primary purpose is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance or update their knowledge in this fast-moving field. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in the Volgenau School.
The program is open to all students who hold a bachelor’s degree in any scientific or engineering discipline from an accredited university.
The certificate consists of five graduate courses (15 credits) in signal processing. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required, and no more than one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. The certificate courses consist of two required foundation courses and three elective courses. See the list of courses under the Certificate in Signal Processing in the Electrical and Computer Engineering section of this chapter.
PHD-STAT
The terminal degree PhD in statistical science represents the highest academic attainment for a statistician and, as such, requires in-depth knowledge of modern statistical theory and practice. Current research areas of key department faculty in the program include sampling, statistical signal processing, biometric identification, biostatistics, statistical genetics, statistical graphics, and data exploration.
Students are required to complete 72 credits. Typically, a student entering with a master’s degree in statistics, mathematics, or similar discipline is able to receive a reduction of up to 24 credits from approved course work. In particular, students entering with a master’s degree in statistics are expected to have completed course work equivalent to STAT 544, 554, 652, and 656 with a 3.50 GPA. The program also requires a course in advanced calculus (MATH 315 or equivalent) with a B or better. In exceptional circumstances, talented students with a mathematically intensive undergraduate degree may be admitted.
Written qualifying exams will be taken in the following areas:
The remaining five courses are selected and approved by the doctoral supervisory committee and the Statistics Department chair and should be numbered 600 or above. For STAT courses, qualified electives must be numbered 655 or above. STAT 700–701 do not count as electives for the PhD program.
No later than the end of the second semester of study, students should select a dissertation director and a doctoral supervisory committee. The chair of the doctoral supervisory committee, if a tenured member of the Department of Statistics, will ordinarily be the doctoral dissertation supervisor. If not a tenured member of the department, the chair will be chosen from among tenured department faculty on the committee. The committee will consist of the dissertation advisor, at least two graduate faculty members from the Department of Statistics, and an external member. The doctoral supervisory committee must be approved by the department chair.
Admission to candidacy is acquired on completion of an oral comprehensive exam administered by the doctoral supervisory committee, covering the three core courses and five advanced emphasis courses, and a dissertation proposal. The student is evaluated as pass, conditional pass, and fail. A student who fails the comprehensive exam may take it a second time. If the student fails a second time, the student is terminated from the program.
The dissertation defense serves as the student’s final examination and is conducted by the doctoral supervisory committee. Both the comprehensive exam and final exam are scheduled on approval of a written request to the department chair.
For more information, e-mail specific questions to statistics@gmu.edu.