Statistics and Data Science, MS

Program Description

The primary focus of the Master of Science in Statistics and Data Science is to develop industry-valued competencies in students by emphasizing data analysis, statistical computing, and professional skills. Courses are crafted to ensure students build a strong statistical foundation and develop industry-relevant competencies. Among many areas, students gain expertise in R, Python, PySpark, PyTorch, SAS, and other essential applications. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers as data scientists, data analysts, and data engineers in diverse industries such as banking, sports, healthcare, government, and technology. To complete the program, students are required to take courses that meet the core and elective requirements. They must also complete and present a project. Details about these requirements are outlined below.

Summary of Degree Requirements

To complete this program, students are required to take courses satisfying the core requirements (24 hours) and the elective component (12 hours). Students must also complete and present a project. Details about these requirements are outlined below.

Coursework

Core and Electives Requirement

The MS core requirements consist of the eight graduate courses listed below and four elective courses. It is strongly recommended students take these courses according to the schedule outlined below. Any deviation from this schedule should be approved of by the Associate Director for Graduate Studies and the student’s advisor.

First Semester Fall: 

• MATH 8000 - Probability 3 Credits  
• MATH 8050 - Data Analysis 3 Credits  
• MATH 8830 - Statistical Programming 3 Credits  

Second Semester Spring: 

• MATH 8040 - Statistical Inference 3 Credits  
• MATH 8850 - Advanced Data Analysis 3 Credits  
• MATH 8860 - Computational Methods for Statistical Learning 3 Credits  

Third Semester Fall: 

• MATH 8710 - Machine Learning I 3 Credits  
• Electives - 6 Credits¹

Fourth Semester Spring: 

• MATH 8720 - Machine Learning II 3 Credits  
• MATH 8920 - Master’s Project Course 1 Credits  
• Electives - 6 Credits¹

¹ Elective coursework should be selected from MATH 8010 , MATH 8020 , MATH 8060 , MATH 8070 , MATH 8080 , MATH 8090 , MATH 8100 , MATH 8110 , MATH 8810 , MATH 8820 , MATH 8840 , MATH 9010 , and MATH 9020 . It is strongly recommended that terminal MS students take MATH 8060, 8090, 8820, 8840, and 9040.

Research and Dissemination of Results

As a means of integrating the student’s program of diverse study, a master’s disquisition (project) must be completed by the end of the second year. The student makes an oral and written presentation of the master’s degree disquisition. The project does not typically contain original research. Instead, it usually presents a review of relevant literature the student has studied or an application of previously proposed methodologies to new applications.

Research Hours Policy

MS students who are completing a master’s project should register for one hour of MATH 8920 during their last semester in the program.