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<h2>Program Pre-requisites</h2>
<p>Knowledge of calculus I, II, III, linear algebra, advanced calculus and introductory
statistics, equivalent to [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st511/ ST 511], is assumed in all other statistics courses and will be tested on the [[Basic Exam Syllabus | Basic Exam]].</p>
<ul>
<li>Students who enroll in a Master of Statistics program without having advanced
calculus are required to take MA 511 during their first semester as their supporting
elective. It is a co-requisite for [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st521/ ST 521].</li>
<li>Students planning to continue for a Ph.D. in statistics should take MA 425 and MA
426, instead of MA 511.</li>
<li>Students with inadequate backgrounds in mathematics and statistics may be required
to take [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st421/ ST 421] and [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st422/ ST 422] in their first year (thereby delaying taking [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st521/ ST 521], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st522/ ST 522]
, and [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st552/ ST 552] until their second year, and extending their program by at least a
semester).</li>
<li>Students without adequate applied statistics in their background should take [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st511/ ST 511]
before taking [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st512/ ST 512].</li>
</ul>

<h2>Degree Programs</h2>
<p>Master of Statistics students can choose from several concentrations. In addition to the
basic [[Master of Statistics (no concentration)|Master of Statistics]] degree, concentrations are available in [[Master of Statistics with concentration in Biomedical Statistics|Biomedical Statistics]],
[[Master of Statistics with concentration in Environmental Statistics|Environmental Statistics]], [[Master of Statistics with concentration in Mathematical Statistics|Mathematical Statistics]] and [[Master of Statistics with concentration in Statistical Genetics|Statistical Genetics]]. The
basic difference between concentrations is required coursework.  Students can
also choose the [[Master of Science]] degree, though currently most students do not. The [[Master of Science]] degree requires a Thesis. </p>

<p>The [[Master of Statistics with concentration in Biomedical Statistics|concentration in Biomedical Statistics]] will provide training in statistical methods
useful in the design and analysis of studies conducted in medical research, the
pharmaceutical industry, and the area of public health. Students will learn fundamentals
of clinical trials and epidemiological studies and will be exposed to recent advances in
statistical methods for the analysis of time-to-event, categorical, and longitudinal data.
Specialized training in these areas will be complemented by courses in advanced linear
models, classical design of experiments, and supporting electives in areas such as
quantitative genetics, biomathematics, and pharmacology. Depending on availability,
students may have the opportunity to gain practical experience through formal
internships, co-ops, or traineeships at local biomedical institutions (e.g.
GlaxoSmithKline, Duke Medical Center, NIEHS). In this event, they are strongly urged
to share and discuss their experiences with their fellow students in [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st641/ ST 641]. </p>

<p>It is recommended that students in the [[Master of Statistics with concentration in Environmental Statistics|Environmental Statistics]] Concentration be
involved with research and consulting in the environmental area and interact with
environmental scientists. This may be accomplished through projects of the department
or University, or through formal internships with EPA and the National Institute of
Statistical Sciences (NISS) at RTP. </p>

<p>The [[Master of Statistics with concentration in Mathematical Statistics|Mathematical Statistics concentration]] will provide training in theoretical
statistics. It provides the necessary foundation for a doctoral degree in statistics. One of
the main purposes of this concentration is to provide the students a faster track to
obtaining their doctoral degree, and hence is recommended mainly for those students that
are considering a doctoral degree. Passing the Basic Exam at the PhD level at the beginning of the
second year of study may serve as an indication whether one should consider this
concentration.</p>

<p>The [[Master of Statistics with concentration in Statistical Genetics|Statistical Genetics concentration]] is appropriate for those who are interested in the
relevance of genetic data to areas that include genomic science, medicine, and
agriculture. This is a different program than the Master of Bioinformatics program.</p>

<p>For students who began the program Spring 2006 or before, an Industrial Statistics
Concentration is also available.</p>

<h2>Required Course Work</h2>
<p>All Master of Statistics degrees require a minimum of 34 semester hours. This includes
13 hours of common course work:</p>
<ul>
<li>Statistical methods: [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st512/ ST 512] and lab (sections restricted to ST majors)</li>
<li>Statistical theory: [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st521/ ST 521]-[http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st522/ ST 522] and labs (sections restricted to ST majors)</li>
<li>Linear models: [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st552/ ST 552] and lab</li>
<li>Statistical consulting: [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st641/ ST 641]</li>
</ul>
<p>The syllabi for the core courses ([http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st512/ ST 512], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st521/ ST 521], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st522/ ST 522] and [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st552/ ST 552]) , can be found in the
[[Appendix]]. All students who enroll with the intention of receiving a Master’s
degree are required to take [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st521/ ST 521], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st522/ ST 522], and
[http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st552/ ST 552] even though they may have had
similar courses elsewhere. [[Co-majors]] have different course requirements.</p>

<h2>Electives</h2>
<p>Additional course work for each concentration is described on those respective pages. Electives are defined as follows.</p>
<ul>
<li>Statistics electives are any course listed or cross-listed as an ST course at the 500-
level or higher, excluding required courses and [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st507/ ST 507], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st508/ 508], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st511/ 511], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st514/  514], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st515/ 515], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st516/ 516].</li>
<li>Supporting electives include Statistics electives and courses in other departments at
the 400-level or above.</li>
<ul>
<li>Students often choose supporting electives from ST courses which are not
required, Biomathematics, Botany and Ecology, Business and Economics,
Epidemiology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Industrial
Engineering, Mathematics, or Zoology.</li>
<li>Ideas for [[Non-statistics Electives]]</li>
<li>Note that MA 425-426 and MA 511-512 can be counted as supporting
electives.</li>
</ul>
</ul>

<h2>Graduate Advisory Committee</h2>
<p>Every Master of Statistics student is required to have an advisory committee consisting of
at least two Statistics faculty members, one of whom serves as chair. The committee is
initially appointed by the Director of Graduate Programs. The chair of the committee
also serves as the student’s academic advisor. Changes to the committee, if needed, can
be requested through the Director of Graduate Programs. All committee appointments
and any changes to the committee must be approved by the Graduate School.</p>

<h3>Students with minors</h3>
<p>Students with formal minors are required to include a minor representative (a faculty member from
the minor area) as a third member.</p>

<h3>Master of Science students</h3>
<p>The student is not obligated to complete the Master’s thesis under the direction of the
faculty member who is initially assigned to serve as a student’s academic advisor. Neither
is the advisor obligated to direct the student. If a student wishes to complete the Master
of Science degree, it is the student’s responsibility to find a faculty member to work with.
Once a student and faculty member have agreed to work together, the student should
notify the DGP to request a change in the graduate advisory committee.</p>

<h2>Examinations</h2>
<p>In addition to the course work, students are required to pass the Master’s Written (Basic)
Examination and the Master’s Final Oral examination.</p>

<h3>Master’s Written (Basic) Exam</h3>
<p>To get a Master of Statistics or Master of Science, students must pass the Master’s
Written (Basic exam). This is a comprehensive exam that will cover the topics
from [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st511/ ST 511]-[http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st512/ 512], [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st521/ ST 521]-[http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st522/ ST 522], and [http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/st552/ ST 552]. For a more detailed syllabus of topics covered
on the exam, see the [[Basic Exam Syllabus]]. Students are
responsible for material described in the syllabus, whether or not it is covered in classes.
Copies of the old exams are available from the graduate secretary.</p>

<p>The exam is currently offered in August and January. Students should take the Master’s
exam as soon as they have completed the core courses. For most students this will be in
the summer before beginning the third semester. If a student does not pass the Basic
Exam on the first try, s/he should retake it as soon as possible. Students are allowed to
take this exam at most two times.</p>

<h3>Master’s Final Oral Exam</h3>
<p>The final oral exam is required for all Master’s students. The student may request to
schedule his/her final oral exam during the semester s/he expects to complete all course
work requirements. For Fall graduation, the final oral exam should be held before
November 6, and for Spring graduation, before March 30. The student should return the
signed forms from the final oral exam to the graduate secretary immediately after the
exam.</p>

<p>Prior to scheduling the final oral exam, the student must have passed the Basic exam and
have a GPA above 3.0. The student should find a final oral exam date that is suitable for
his/her advisory committee and should inform the graduate secretary at least 20 working
days prior to the exam date. The student will be required to answer questions based on
courses listed in his or her plan of graduate work and the core of the master’s program.
Areas in which the student demonstrated weakness on the Basic exam may be
emphasized.</p>

<h2>Required Documents</h2>
<p>The student is required to submit several documents before s/he can graduate from
NCSU. The following information is taken from the Schedule of Required Documents
prepared by the Graduate School. Please see Adrian Blue for any necessary forms.
In addition to submitting the following documents, a Master’s student must be in
residence (see Graduate Catalog) for at least one academic year, and all requirements
must be completed in 6 calendar years beginning from the date of enrollment in the
program.</p>
<ol>
<li>Outstanding Transcripts:
Official transcripts from all universities and colleges a student has attended must
be submitted to the Graduate School before the end of the first semester of
registration. Transcripts submitted with the application may not be adequate since
typically they do not include either the final semester’s grade or graduation date.</li>
<li>Patent Agreement Form:
Students need to sign the Patent Agreement Form during the first semester of
registration. Typically the agreement is signed at the departmental orientation.</li>
<li>Plan of Graduate Work:
The [[Plans of Work | Plan of Work]] (POW) must be approved before a student can schedule the Master's final oral exam.  Students must submit the courses that they have
taken or plan to take before graduation. If the POW is submitted early in the degree program, changes can be made
prior to scheduling the final oral exam.</li>
<li>Request to Schedule Final Oral Exam:
Request for scheduling the final oral exam must be submitted to the Graduate Program Assistant at least 3 weeks prior to the proposed exam date. The student should
contact all committee members prior to selecting a date for the final oral exam.  Contact the 
Graduate Program assistant to reserve a room.  The request to schedule will be denied if the POW has not already been approved.  </li>
<li>Diploma Order Request Card:
The student is required to fill out the diploma card before the end of the third
week of classes of the semester in which s/he plans to graduate. A new card is
required if the student does not graduate during the intended semester.</li>
<li>Final Oral Examination:
The committee chair should return the signed forms from the final oral exam to the
Graduate Program assistant or DGP immediately after the exam.</li>
</ol>

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[[Category:Master]]