Statistics encompasses course work in designing and analyzing experiments, planning and interpreting surveys, and exploring relationships among variables observed on social, physical, and biological phenomena. The applied nature of the program allows the student to develop data analysis tools for such diverse areas as business and economics, crop and animal production, biological sciences, human behavior, education, engineering, and natural resource management. The statistics program thus supports major programs in other disciplines. Within the Department of Mathematics, a statistics option is available under applied mathematics leading to a baccalaureate degree.

Graduate study in statistics is designed for two types of students. Students whose undergraduate degrees are in subject matter disciplines will prepare for a career involving the application of statistical methods to their particular area of interest. Students with degrees in mathematics, computer science, or similar areas will prepare for a career in technical data analysis, statistical computing, and teaching of introductory-level statistics.

All students who wish to do graduate work in statistics should have a background in quantitative methods including Math 275, Analytic Geometry and Calculus III, and 6 hours of statistics including Stat 401 or equivalent. Additionally, students should have knowledge of at least one higher level programming language.

Faculty members in the Division of Statistics will be happy to answer questions about specific programs and courses. Such questions can also be addressed to the division director (Brink 414; phone 208/885-2802).

See Part 6 for courses in Statistics (Stat).

Math 160 Survey of Calculus or Math 170 Analytic Geometry and Calculus (4 cr)

Math 330 Linear Algebra (3 cr)

Stat 251 Prin of Statistics or Stat 301 Probability and Statistics (3 cr)

Stat 401 Statistical Analysis (3 cr)

Stat 422 Sample Survey Methods (2 cr)

Two of the following courses (5-6 cr):

Stat 433 Econometrics

Stat 437 Statistics for Business Decisions

Stat 456 Quality Management

Stat 514 Nonparametrics

Math 451 Probability Theory

Candidates must fulfill the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and of the Division of Statistics. See the College of Graduate Studies section of Part 4 for the applicable general requirements for M.S. degree.

An individual graduate program is tailored for the student, but all students must complete a basic core requirement of 12 credits and either i) a thesis (Stat 500), ii) an internship report (Stat 598), or iii) a research course (Stat 599) that includes a comprehensive examination and presentation of written and oral project reports. The core requirements are Stat 451-452, 507, and 510. A maximum of 6 credits of Stat 500 may be counted toward the thesis degree option.