The basic Graduate School requirements for a Plan B M.S. degree are

• 30 course credits, including at least 6 credits in a minor area or related field;
• a grade point average of at least 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) in program courses, with no grade lower than a "C"; and
• completion of a Plan B Project.

No more than 40 percent of M.S. program credits may consist of those transferred from another institution or earned at the University through Adult Special or Extension programs. Students should consult the University's current Graduate School Bulletin for details of Graduate School requirements for the M.S. degree.

All degree programs are planned with an adviser and are subject to the approval of the adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must file an official "Degree Program" designating the courses that will be used to satisfy the requirements for the M.S. This is usually done in the fall of a student's second year.

Coursework for M.S. degree

Note: Fall 2006 finds the School of Statistics in the middle of a revision of its programs and curriculum. The requirements given here for the M.S. degree apply to those students entering in Fall 2006.

School of Statistics coursework requirements for the M.S. degree are as follows:

A statistical theory sequence

A statistical methods sequence

Stat 8801 (Statistical Consulting)

An approved supporting field of at least six credits

At least nine credits of approved electives

The statistical theory sequence can be either Stat 8101-8102 or Stat 5101-5102. Students with strong mathematical backgrounds will be advised into the 8-level sequence.

The statistical methods sequence can be either Stat 8051-8052 or Stat 5302, 5303, 5421. Students considering the Ph.D. degree should take the 8-level sequence. The 5-level sequence provides greater coverage of the more traditional statistical methods.

Most 5- and 8-level Statistics courses that do not overlap with the core courses are eligible for use as electives, and courses in statistics offerred by other units may be used with the approval of the adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Supporting Field

In addition to the courses in the major field, a minimum of two courses is required in one or more disciplines associated with statistics, such as biostatistics, computer science, ecology, economics, genetics, public policy, sociology, or mathematics. These courses must total at least 6 credits at the 5- or 8-level. The program of study in a related field must be approved by the student's adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies. Courses in the minor or related field will be in an area that supports statistics or in an area to which statistics can be applied.

Students considering the Ph.D. degree will usually take mathematics courses (often Math 5615-5616 "Honors Introduction to Analysis") for their supporting field.

Grade Point Average

M.S. students are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.00 or better in courses included in their Degree Program. Students may take 8801 and at most 4 non-core credits as S-N.

Consulting Requirement

M.S. students must earn 3 credits in Stat 8801: Statistical Consulting, as shown in the coursework requirements. This experience may involve service in the Statistical Consulting Service.

Seminar Requirement

All M.S. students must give one public seminar, usually on the topic of their Plan B project.

Language

There is no foreign language requirement.

Plan B Project

The Plan B project is intended to supplement coursework and provides the student with a broader view of the theory and applications of statistics. The student must demonstrate familiarity with the tools of research and scholarship in statistics and the ability to work independently and present results effectively. There are two ways of meeting this requirement in Statistics.

1. By an independent investigation of some subject related to the student's program.

   After two semesters of graduate study, the student selects a faculty member to direct work on the Plan B project. This faculty member usually serves as an adviser and chair of the final oral examining committee. Wide latitude is given in the selection of projects. Projects appropriate for a Plan B degree include, for example:
   

   • A consulting project in conjunction with a client of the Statistical Consulting Service.
   • A data analysis project on a problem of interest.
   • A literature survey of an important area in applied or theoretical statistics.
   • The preparation of a coordinated set of statistical computer programs.
   • An original research project.
     
   Projects must be approved by the advising faculty member.
2. By taking at least nine credits in 8-level Statistics courses, and passing the written Ph.D. preliminary examination. The additional courses must be approved by the student's adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies, and cannot be included in the minimum 30 credit requirement for the M.S. degree.

M.S. Oral Examination

A final oral examination for the M.S. degree is administered by an examining committee which consists of two members of the Statistics graduate faculty and one faculty member from the minor or related area. The oral examination often focuses on the Plan B project, but may be a comprehensive examination of the M.S. program course work.