Dec 04, 2024

2017-2019 Graduate Catalog

2017-2019 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Science in Applied Statistics

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Department of Mathematics and Statistics
368 Mathematics and Science Center (map)
(248) 370-3430 • Fax (248) 370-4184
http://www.oakland.edu/math/

Graduate Coordinator:
Meir Shillor
554 Mathematics and Science Center
(248) 370-3439
shillor@oakland.edu

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Program description

By offering the Master of Science in applied statistics degree program, the department seeks to increase the number of people with broad training in statistical methodology that is suitable for application in industrial, business and governmental settings. The program’s primary goal is to provide the basis for the skilled and competent application of modern statistical methods. Areas of methodology in the program, in addition to a basic theoretical foundation, include design of experiments, regression analysis, discrete data, statistical computing, statistical process control, Bayesian, non-parametric, multivariate, reliability, sample survey and time series methodology. All applied courses make use of and stress the importance of modern statistical computing software. Courses required for the program are offered in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate the part-time student. Teaching assistantships are available to full-time students on a competitive basis.

A biostatistics concentration is offered within the Master of Science in applied statistics degree program. This coursework provides students with the quantitative knowledge and skills required for health-related careers within academia, industry and government, including clinical trials, epidemiology and observational studies, survey research and genetics.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

February 15 (early), April 15 (regular), and July 15 (late) for fall semester
October 1 (early) and November 15 (regular) for winter semester
March 1 for summer semester
International applicants

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

Graduate Application Requirements
Additional department application requirements

All applicants who have received a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or more will be considered.
Previous mathematical training should include the satisfactory completion of courses in multivariable calculus and linear algebra, as well as at least one introductory course in statistics. Applicants should also have some background in scientific computing.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Degree requirements

To fulfill the requirements for the Master of Science in applied statistics, a student must successfully complete, with at least a 2.5 in each course and an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, a 32-credit program as outlined below.

Course requirements

a. Core requirements (16 credits)

If the student has completed equivalent courses before admission, the student may substitute other STA/BST courses. Students with the necessary mathematics background are encouraged to complete these courses in their first year in order to satisfy prerequisites for more advanced courses.

All students must take:

STA 5002 - Applied Linear Models I (4 credits)
STA 5003 - Applied Linear Models II (4 credits)
STA 5113 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I (4 credits)
STA 5114 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II (4 credits)

b. Electives (16 credits)

All students must take 16 credits of elective courses. No more than 8 credits can be outside the STA or BST rubrics. All students have the option to take elective courses from the list of courses for the biostatistics concentration. All of the selected courses must be approved by the student’s adviser.

c. Biostatistics concentration (16 credits)

Students may choose to apply the 16 elective credits toward the biostatistics concentration. The concentration emphasizes statistical theory and methods so that the students are prepared to be statistical collaborators in interdisciplinary studies, take an active role in the design and execution of clinical trials, and develop methodologies relevant for biostatistics. In order to complete the biostatistics concentration, a student must select elective courses that meet the following requirements:

Required courses (12 credits)

STA 5228 - Reliability and Life Data Analysis I (4 credits)
BST 5441 - Longitudinal Data Analysis (4 credits)
BST 5551 - Clinical Trials and Ethics in Biomedical Sciences (4 credits)
One additional course (4 credits) from the following:
STA 5224 - Discrete Data Analysis (4 credits)
STA 5331 - Bayesian Data Analysis (4 credits)
BST 5446 - Bioinformatics and Biomedical Data Mining (4 credits)
BST 5771 - Introduction to Statistical Epidemiology (4 credits)

d. Applied statistics project

All students must complete an applied statistics project, demonstrating competence in applying statistical methods and theory in the solution of a practical problem or problems. The work must be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member appointed by the Graduate Coordinator, and the student must prepare a written report and make an oral presentation to a committee of faculty members appointed by the Graduate Coordinator. The committee must certify that the student has met the requirement. Contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information about this requirement.

Satisfactory academic progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good academic standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

Holding a Graduate Assistantship
Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
Going on a leave of absence
Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Department requirements: To fulfill the requirements for the Master of Science in applied statistics, a student must successfully complete, with at least a 2.5 in each course and an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, a 32-credit program as outlined above.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information

Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)

Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.