Degree Requirements for MS in Statistics

Course Requirements for the M.S. Degree in Statistics

Full-time students take approximately two years to complete the MS degree. The degree requires 30 credits of coursework and a capstone project. There are 5 required courses related to probability, statistical theory, regression, consulting, and the capstone project. Students must choose 5 remaining elective courses, 3 of which must be statistically focused. We organize the coursework into 4 components: 1) core courses, 2) statistics electives, 3) other electives, and 4) capstone project. Students must complete the following coursework:

Core courses

• One of the following courses:
  
  • MATH 5310 Probability
  • MATH 5792 Probabilistic Modeling
  • MATH 6380 Stochastic Processes
• MATH 5320 Statistical Inference
• MATH 5387 Applied Regression Analysis
• MATH 6330 Workshop in Statistical Consulting

Statistics-related electives

Nine additional credit hours (typically, three courses) from the following choices:

• MATH 5337 Introduction to Statistical and Machine Learning
• MATH 5388 Machine Learning Methods
• MATH 5394 Experimental Designs
• MATH 6101 Uncertainty Qualification
• MATH 5792 Probabilistic Modeling
• MATH 6380 Stochastic Processes
• MATH 6384 Spatial Data Analysis
• MATH 6388 Statistical and Machine Learning
• MATH 7384 Mathematical Probability
• MATH 7386 Monte Carlo Methods
• MATH 7393 Bayesian Statistics
• MATH 7826 Topics in Probability and Statistics
• Additional courses with prior approval by the student’s advisor and the Director of the Program in Statistics.

Other Electives

Six additional credit hours (typically, two courses) from the following choices:

• Any MATH course applicable to a graduate degree in Applied Mathematics. The following courses will not count toward the degree: MATH 5010, MATH 5012-5015, MATH 5017, MATH 5198, and MATH 5830.
• Courses outside the Department of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences at the 4000 level or above with prior approval by the student's advisor and the Graduate Studies Committee. 

Capstone

All students must complete a written project and pass a final oral exam. The project is developed as a student-centered independent research component within one of the following courses:

• MATH 6960 Research Methods in Mathematics and Statistics (recommended)
• MATH 5950 Master’s Thesis
• MATH 5960 Master’s Project

Program Requirements

• Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of accepted coursework.
• At least 24 credit hours of accepted coursework must be graduate MATH courses numbered 5000 or above. The remaining six hours must be either MATH courses numbered 5000 or above or approved courses outside the department numbered 4000 or above.
• Students must earn a minimum grade of B- (2.7) in all courses that apply to the degree and must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. All graded attempts in required and elective courses are calculated in the GPA. Courses taken using pass/fail grading cannot apply to program requirements.
• Students must complete 21 credit hours with CU Denver faculty.
• All students must take and pass a final oral examination that includes a written report (M.S. non-thesis option) or thesis (M.S. with thesis option). Passing this final oral examination fulfills the requirements of the capstone project.

Program Restrictions, Allowances, and Recommendations

• Up to nine semester hours of prior course work may be transferred in (subject to approval); these must be at the 5000 level or above with a B- or better grade. Courses already applied toward another degree (graduate or undergraduate) cannot be used toward the MS degree in Statistics. Credit cannot be transferred until the student has established a satisfactory record of at least six graduate credits in mathematics or statistics at CU Denver with a minimum GPA of 3.0. All transfer courses must be approved by the Graduate Program Director. Courses taken while registered as a non-degree student are considered transfer courses.
• According to graduate education policies and procedures, Master's students, whether enrolled full-time or part-time, must complete all degree requirements within seven years of matriculation.
• The following courses will not count toward the degree: MATH 5010, MATH 5012-5015, MATH 5017, MATH 5198, and MATH 5830
• In relation to completing the capstone project, 3-6 credits of MATH 5950 Master's Thesis or 3 credits of MATH 5960 Master's Project can be applied toward the degree. There is no co-credit between MATH 5950, MATH 5960, and MATH 6960 Research Methods in Mathematics and Statistics.
• Students continuing into the PhD program in Applied Mathematics are strongly encouraged to take MATH 5718 Applied Linear Algebra and either MATH 5070 Applied Analysis or MATH 6131 Real Analysis for their "other" electives.