Masters in Applied
Statistics
The Masters in Applied Statistics
is intended to equip the student for a career as an applied statistician
working in government, industry, research organizations, engineering and
consulting firms, health care organizations, public utilities, and so on.
These degree programs are not
interdepartmental programs, although they do rely, in part, on courses
offered by the Biostatistics, Computer Science, Economics, Industrial and
Operations Engineering, Mathematics, Sociology, and other Departments.
We recommend that a prospective
student has had some calculus, linear algebra, and one course each in
probability and mathematical statistics. Students without these
prerequisite courses will generally elect them in their first year, with
no credit toward the requirements for the degree.
For other admission requirements,
see the section on Admission earlier in this brochure.
The Curriculum
The program consists of at least 30
credit hours (10 courses) of graduate studies. You may take more than 10
courses. Core courses in the program are
-
Statistics 500 Applied
Statistics I
-
Biostatistics 601, 602 Probability
and Theoretical Statistics
-
Statistics 504 Statistical
Consulting
and any four from Statistics 406,
430, 501, 503, 526, 531, 535, 550, 560, 570, 580, or
any approved 600 or higher level Statistics course. Substitutions are
allowed with approval from the Graduate Chair.
Two graduate level cognate
courses (taken outside the Department of Statistics or cross-listed with
another department) must also be taken. These courses must be approved by
the Graduate Chair.
Options and Cognate Courses
Here are some suggestions for
optional and cognate courses. You are not restricted to the courses
listed below. We are also open to specializations in other areas.
Survey Sampling Option
The use of sample surveys to obtain
information on a myriad of subjects is becoming ever more popular. The
demand for statisticians trained in this subarea is extremely high. The
University of Michigan has, in various departments and in the Institute
for Social Research, the faculty talent to be able to offer one of the
best programs in the country.
Under this option, we suggest
students should elect Statistics 580 (Theory of Sampling) and Statistics
502 (Analysis of Categorical Data). (Note that Statistics 580 is
cross-listed as Biostatistics 617 and as Sociology 717. The course has
recently been taught most frequently by Biostatistics.) Other possible
courses are
-
Sociology 612 -- Methods of
Survey Sampling
-
Sociology 613 -- Advanced
Methods of Survey Sampling
-
Sociology 621 -- Workshop on
Sampling Techniques
-
Sociology 711 -- Questionnaire
Design, Interviewing and Coding
-
Other courses in sample survey
offered by the Department of Sociology or the Institute for Social
Research.
Actuarial Science Option
The University of Michigan has
enjoyed, since 1905, the reputation of having one of the best actuarial
programs offered anywhere. There is also a continuing demand for
statisticians specializing in actuarial science.
Under this option a student
should consider the following options
-
Statistics 550 -- Bayesian
Decision Analysis
-
Mathematics 520 -- Life
Contingencies I
-
Mathematics 521 -- Life
Contingencies II
-
Mathematics 523 -- Risk Theory
-
Biostatistics 675 -- Survival
Analysis
Econometrics and Forecasting
Option
Another subarea of increasing
importance involves the uses of statistical and econometric models in
predicting or forecasting various phenomena, economic and otherwise.
Under this option the following
courses should be considered:
-
Stat 576/
Econ 679 --
Econometric Theory II
-
Statistics 531 -- Statistical
Analysis of Time Series
-
Economics 501 -- Microeconomic
Theory
-
Economics 502 -- Applied
Macroeconomics
-
Economics 671 -- Econometric
Analysis
-
Economics 675 -- Applied
Econometrics
Some students electing this
option may have the opportunity to obtain further experience and training
by serving an apprenticeship in the Seminar in Quantitative Economics run
by the Department of Economics.
Industrial Statistics Option
With American industry becoming
increasingly aware of the need to assure quality by the application of
statistical methodology and of the uses of statistics in basic research,
the demand for statisticians having interests in this area is increasing.
Under this option a student
should consider the following courses:
-
Statistics 535 -- Reliability
-
IOE 515 -- Stochastic
Industrial Processes
-
IOE 645 -- Reliability,
Replacement and Maintenance
-
Other Engineering courses
Statistical Computing Option
With the computer revolution, there
is increasing pressure to apply new computing technology in statistics.
With present-day computing capabilities and graphics it is possible to
implement and apply statistical analyses which were inconceivable not very
long ago. There is a very large demand, and virtually no supply, for
individuals with training in modern statistical computing.
The following courses are
suggested:
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