Master of Statistics-Co-Major

Description of Co-major Master's degree

Co-major programs at the master’s level can be arranged with other departments. A co-major degree results in one degree that encompasses both fields. In the recent past, co-major degrees at the master’s level were awarded jointly with the following programs: Bioinformatics, Biomathematics, Economics, Forestry and Operations Research.

Students wishing to do a co-major degree should consult with their current Director of Graduate Programs. Requests to the co-major department (Statistics, or for Statistics students, the other department) should be made early in the student's program to allow for planning course work and advising from both departments.

Required Course Work

As with the other Master’s programs in Statistics, 34 hours of course work are required. The minimum set of courses required by the Department of Statistics are

• ST 521, 522: Statistical Theory I,II.
• ST 511, 512: Experimental Statistics for Biological Sciences I, II
• ST 552: Linear Models.
• ST 641: Statistical Consulting
• 6 hours of Statistics electives
• The other department will impose further requirements.

For a Master of Science – Co-Major degree, six semester hours of research (ST 699) are required in place of six credit hours of electives. As a part of ST 699, the student must write a thesis representing both areas.

Graduate Advisory Committee

The student’s advisory committee must include two members of the Department of Statistics, one of which must serve as chair or co-chair. The statistics chair/co-chair must have FULL status in the Department of Statistics.

Examinations

In addition to the course work, the students are required to pass the Basic Exam and the Master's Final Oral examination. A student is allowed only two attempts to pass the Basic exam.

Required Documents

The documents required for this degree are identical to those required for a Master of Statistics degree. All documents must be approved by BOTH departments as well as by the Graduate School.

Example Co-Majors

Master of Statistics with co-major in Economics

Students interested in this co-major should also consult the Economic Degree Programs web site.

The co-major is only allowed for Master of Science (thesis) students. Required courses for this co-major are:

• ECG 700
• ECG 703
• ECG/ST 750
• ST 521
• ST 522
• ST 511
• ST 512
• ST 552
• ST 641
• two ECG 7xx field courses
• 3 hours of Statistics electives
• 3 hours ECG 695 if pursuing thesis based co-major or Supporting electives

This is a total of 34 hours, though students may take more credit hours. In addition to the course work requirements, students must pass the Basic Exam and the Master's final oral. The committee should include a co-chair in Statistics and a co-chair in Economics, plus a third member from either program.

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