• People
  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Advisors
• Undergraduate Programs
• Graduate Programs
• Research
• Colloquia and Lectures
• News & Special Events
• Resources
  • Student
    • Current
    • Prospective
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Visitor
• Employment Opportunities
• Statistical Consulting Center
• Contact Us
• Math & Stats Home
• COSM Home
• WSU Home

Master of Science in Applied Statistics

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS | DEGREE REQUIREMENTS | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM INFORMATION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Master of Science degree program in Applied Statistics is designed to prepare students for employment as professional statisticians in business, government, or industry, or to prepare students for doctoral studies in statistics. The program provides students with a thorough grounding in the statistical techniques used for the practical analysis of data. A core of required courses provides a thorough grounding in the theory and methodology needed for the design of experiments, and, the collection and subsequent analysis of data. Elective courses lend flexibility to the program and introduce students to advanced topics in statistical theory and techniques.

The Applied Statistics degree requires 45 quarter credits of course work. It is designed primarily to prepare graduates for careers in business, industry, or government, but can be tailored to provide a solid foundation for doctoral studies in statistics. The prior mathematical training needed for entrance into the program has been kept to a minimum to accommodate students with undergraduate majors in fields such as biology, business, or one of the social sciences. The department makes provision for part-time degree candidates by offering all required courses in the late afternoon or evening.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for admission to the program are set in part by the School of Graduate Studies and in part by the Statistics Program faculty. Graduate school admission criteria are described in detail in the Wright State University Graduate Catalog, but the key points are summarized here.

The Applied Statistics degree is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in mathematics, statistics or a variety of other fields. Applicants should have completed a calculus sequence that includes multivariable calculus and a course in linear or matrix algebra. Some experience in computer programming and enough background in probability and statistics to begin basic graduate courses in statistics is also required. The later normally means one or two prior courses in probability and statistics, depending on content and level.

To be admitted as a regular student, applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with at least a 2.7 (based on 4.0) overall GPA or with at least a 2.5 overall GPA with a 3.0 or better on the last 90 quarter hours (or 60 semester hours). To be admitted to the M.S. in Applied Statistics program, it is not necessary to have an undergraduate degree in mathematics or statistics, butapplicants do need to have previous work in four crucial areas:

1. Calculus - Applicants must have completed a calculus sequence that includes multivariable calculus. Generally this requirement is met by taking a 3-semester or 4-quarter "engineering" or "math major" sequence in calculus (equivalent to MTH 229, 230, 231, and 232 at Wright State).

2. Matrix or linear algebra - This requirement may be satisfied with a single course at any one of several levels (MTH 253 or 255 at Wright State).

3. Computer programming - Many students satisfy this requirement with course work (a course or two in scientific programming languages), but it is also possible to substitute substantial computer experience in a job setting for formal courses.

4. Probability and statistics - Statistics courses of many different types are acceptable as long as applicants have had some exposure to both descriptive statistics and statistical inference. Typical course sequences at Wright State that would suffice are STT 264 and 265 or preferably STT 360 and 361.

Applicants with insufficient preparation may be admitted on the condition that they complete certain prerequisite work to be specified by the department at the time of admission.

Applicants may be admitted on conditional status if they do not meet all of the requirements above. Generally, conditional status will be granted if the applicant's undergraduate GPA was below the cutoffs listed above, but not too far below (see the Graduate Catalog for exact rules) or if the applicant needs to complete courses in one of the four critical areas listed above prior to taking graduate courses. Students on conditional status must complete the conditions of their admission and maintain a 3.0 GPA during their first 12 hours of work in the program in order for the conditional status to be removed. Students who do not meet these criteria can sometimes still be admitted by petition.

International Students: Please check the application instructions and requirements for international students.

Note: The M.S. course requirements and comprehensive exam are scheduled to allow students who begin in a fall quarter to finish the program in two years by taking two courses per academic quarter or in four years by taking one course per academic quarter. The schedule is not optimally designed for students who enter in the middle of a year. Students who wish to enter the program are strongly encouraged to plan starting at the beginning of fall quarter.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School, the Master of Science degree in Applied Statistics may be earned by satisfying the degree requirements described below.

Quarters

NOTE: The statistical computing package, SAS, will be used in many courses in the program. The SAS software is taught as a part of STT 666 and STT 667.

The following requirements are applicable until Fall 2012.

Required Courses - 26 - 27 Credits:

Elective Courses - 18 credits (at least 12 credits from 700-level courses):

All master's degree candidates are required to pass a comprehensive written examination which must be taken at least one quarter before the expected date of graduation. The examination is ordinarily offered during fall quarter.

NOTE: With the prior approval of the statistics advisor, other appropriate courses, including courses from outside the department, may be used as electives. Credit will be allowed for STT 686 or STT 786, Independent Reading in Statistics and Probability, and STT 696 or STT 796, Topics in Probability and Statistics, only if approved in advance.

*Students who have taken STT 661, 662, 666, 667, or 669 or equivalent prior to entering the program will be required to take additional elective hours in lieu of the courses taken.

TOTAL CREDITS: 45 Credits

Semesters

NOTE: The statistical computing package, SAS, will be used in many courses in the program. The SAS software is taught as a part of STT 6660 and STT 6670.

The following requirements are applicable as of Fall 2012.

Required Courses - 18 - 19 Credits:

Elective Courses - 12 credits (at least 6 credits from 7000-level courses):

All master's degree candidates are required to pass a comprehensive written examination which must be taken at least one quarter before the expected date of graduation. The examination is ordinarily offered during fall semester.

TOTAL CREDITS: 30 Credits

Click here for a complete catalogue listing of graduate statistics courses. NOTE: You do not need to sign in to access the catalog. Scroll to the bottom of the webpage, click on the lowest drop-down box and select the top item.

For further information about the Applied Statistics program, contact:

Dr. Harry Khamis, Applied Statistics Advisor
130 MM
937-775-2433
harry.khamis@wright.edu