George Mason University 1997-98 Catalog Catalog Index
Course Descriptions

Search the 1997-1998 Catalog:

Applied and Engineering Statistics


Faculty

Professors: Carr, Gantz, Gentle, Greenberg, D. Miller, Wegman (Chair)

Associate Professors: Bolstein, Habib, J. Miller, C. Sutton

Assistant Professor: Bell

Adjunct Professors: Andersen, Davis, Faxon, Poston, Sims, Sirgany, Solka, Tortora

URL: http://www.galaxy.gmu.edu


Course Work

Statistical methods and methods for data analysis are crucial for researching and exploring the natural sciences, the social sciences, business, nursing, education, and engineering. The department offers a variety of introductory courses as well as more advanced course work in specialized statistical methodology and applications. The focus of the department's offerings is applied with special emphasis on computing, federal and survey statistics, and engineering applications of statistics and data analysis.

Introductory courses are targeted for undergraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Nursing and Health Science, as well as in SITE. 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.

Although the department does not yet offer an undergraduate degree in statistics, a variety of advanced courses are available for inclusion in other degree programs.


Statistical Science, M.S.

Statistical science is regarded as one of the oldest and most successful information technology subjects, focusing 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 they impinge upon high-technology applications.

The M.S. program can be thought of in matrix form, one dimension offering a choice of research or professional options and the other dimension offering a choice of subject emphases, including federal statistics, computational statistics, statistical signal processing, applied statistics, and engineering statistics. The research option is intended for students planning to continue for the Ph.D. degree or to begin or continue careers in statistical methodology research. The professional option provides M.S. degree qualifications to those seeking an expanded knowledge base in modern statistical theory and practice, but not wishing to pursue a research career. Such students might plan to work in applied 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.


Admission Requirements In addition to satisfying the general admission requirements for graduate study, all applicants to this program must do the following:

  1. Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with an appropriate undergraduate major. Examples include, but are not limited to, mathematics, computer science, statistics, and electrical engineering. Applicants must have advanced preparation in mathematics, including calculus or real analysis, basic statistics and probability, and matrix theory or linear algebra.

    Course work taken to correct deficiencies in undergraduate preparation is not counted toward the degree.

  2. Demonstrate basic computer literacy.

    Presently the GRE is not required. It is recommended particularly for those students wishing to compete for graduate teaching assistantships, graduate fellowships, or graduate research assistantships.


Degree Requirements Students in both the research and professional options must complete the 12-credit-hour core requirements for the degree:

STAT 544 Applied Probability
STAT 554 Applied Statistics
STAT 652 Statistical Inference
STAT 656 Regression Analysis

The core course work covers the basic elements of statistics at the graduate level. Applied Probability (STAT 544) covers the major mathematical framework for statistical theory and practice. Statistical Inference (STAT 652) provides basic statistical theory. After completing this course, students have the theoretical basis from which statistical methods are derived.

Applied Statistics (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 Regression Analysis (STAT 656), which focuses on determining the relationship between two or more quantities possibly measured with error, particularly with emphasis on broad scientific and technological applications. From these basic elements, the perspective M.S. student may choose one of five predefined tracks or may, with the concurrence of his or her adviser, design a customized curriculum. The predefined tracks are (a) Applied Statistics, (b) Federal Statistics, (c) Computational Statistics, (d) Statistical Signal Processing, and (e) Engineering Statistics. Other courses may be chosen from any graduate STAT courses, except STAT 530, 610, and 612. STAT 679 and STAT 798 may be repeated for credit with departmental approval. Also, many courses from other departments may be chosen with departmental approval.


Professional Option The professional option focuses on the completion of course work in modern statistical theory and practice. The basic course work requirements include 30 credit hours. Twelve hours must be the core courses taken by all M.S. students, with 18 additional credit hours taken from the approved list or with the approval of the student's adviser. Students in this program are encouraged to pursue a broad background in statistical science and may elect to concentrate on applications of statistical methodology to other disciplinary areas. A student would normally complete the degree by taking 10 three-credit courses with no written reports such as a thesis and no oral examination. A student would have to satisfy the general degree requirements for graduate study.

A student in the professional option may write a master's essay that 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 the current technical literature into a scholarly essay. The essay is evaluated by the student's adviser, 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 may be required to revise their essays to develop their skills in preparing reports on technical subjects. The essay is normally written in the context of STAT 798, Master's Essay.

Students who complete the essay will take 27 credits of in-class work and three credits of STAT 798, Master's Essay. Students opting not to write an essay must take 30 credits of in-class work.


Research Option The research option requires 30 credit hours, of which 6 hours must be in independent research (thesis). Research is done under the guidance of a faculty member. Research may be carried out at the university or, if appropriate, at nearby facilities. For example, students may pursue research at their places of employment on topics of interest to their employers, provided the research meets the standards of the university. The remaining 24 credit hours must include the 12 core credit hours and elective courses taken from the approved list or added with the consent of the thesis adviser.

In addition to satisfying the general degree requirements for graduate study, candidates for the research option must do the following:

  1. 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.
  2. Pass a final oral examination that concentrates on, but is not limited to, the area on which the thesis or report is written. The examination 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.


Undergraduate Certificate Program in Applied Statistics

The Department of Applied and Engineering Statistics offers a certificate program to undergraduate degree programs in computer science, systems engineering, electrical engineering, urban systems engineering, or mathematics. Undergraduates majoring in other discipline areas may be admitted to the certificate program at the discretion of the department.

Because the demand for people with interdisciplinary training, which includes a background in statistics and data analysis, is great in the Washington metropolitan area, this program expands the career options available to students. Inquiries should be directed to the Department of Applied and Engineering Statistics. Students who plan to work toward the certificate should seek advice from the department.


Program Requirements This certificate program requires 24 semester hours, consisting of STAT 344, 362, and 354 or 554, along with five courses chosen from STAT 455, 457, 463, 474, 498, 499, 544, 574 and OR 435, 442, 481.


Graduate Certificate Program in Federal Statistics

The graduate certificate in federal statistics is a professional program 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 certificate program is extremely flexible and can be tailored to the needs of students within the federal statistical sector, but is also intended to be responsive to the needs of those in state and local governments and those in the private sector who support the statistical system.


Admission Requirements Potential candidates should have a bachelor's degree including at least two courses in statistics and/or mathematics. Applicants typically have degrees in diverse fields such as sociology, economics, engineering, mathematics, statistics, and business. Candidates should inquire with the certificate coordinator for details of program planning. Courses are offered in late afternoon and evening and are particularly suitable for part-time students.


Program Requirements The certificate program consists of 15 credit hours (five courses), which are selected from the certificate program courses and elective courses. The certificate courses are aimed at building the foundations of statistical analysis and survey methods and consist of the following:

STAT 554 Applied Statistics
STAT 574 Survey Sampling I
STAT 634 Case Studies in Data Analysis
STAT 663 Statistical Graphics and Data Exploration
STAT 673 Statistical Methods for Longitudinal Data Analysis
STAT 674 Survey Sampling II
STAT 679 Topics in Survey Design and Analysis

All these courses may be used for credit toward the M.S. in Statistical Science with a specialization in Federal Statistics. Students with a minimal background in mathematics or statistics should consider taking STAT 530. STAT 530 is intended to enhance a student's background and does not count toward the certificate.

For the certificate program, the student may choose any three of the certificate courses plus two elective courses chosen with the consent of the certificate coordinator. The electives are intended to provide a broad background supportive of the multidisciplinary needs of complex statistical systems. They include courses from statistics, marketing, computer science, economics, geography, psychology, sociology, information systems, operations research, and public administration. Some courses may have prerequisites for which the student must qualify or seek a waiver from the appropriate instructor.


Ph.D. Study in Statistics

Doctoral-level study in statistics is available through two of the university's Ph.D. programs. The Ph.D. in Information Technology has a specialization in Statistical Science with an engineering emphasis. The Ph.D. in Computational Sciences and Informatics has a specialization in Computational Statistics with a basic science emphasis. Both degrees are interdisciplinary and allow the student a broad range of course and research options. These programs are described elsewhere in this catalog. Advanced courses in statistics at the Ph.D. level are also listed under the respective Ph.D. program descriptions.

Students may obtain more information by contacting the graduate coordinator in Room 158, Science and Technology II, (703) 993-3645.

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