Department of Mathematics and Statistics
368 Mathematics and Science Center (map)
(248) 370-3430 • Fax (248) 370-4184
http://www.oakland.edu/math/

Graduate Coordinator:
Li Li
350 Mathematics and Science Center
(248) 370-3447
li2345@oakland.edu

Program Description

The program’s primary goal is to provide the basis for the skilled and competent application of modern statistical methods. By offering the Master of Science in Applied Statistics degree program, the department seeks to increase the number of people with broad training in statistical methodology that is suitable for application in industrial, business and governmental settings. Areas of methodology in the program, in addition to a basic theoretical foundation, include design of experiments, regression analysis, discrete data, statistical computing, statistical process control, Bayesian, non-parametric, multivariate, reliability, sample survey, and time series. All applied courses make use of and stress the importance of modern statistical computing software. Courses required for the program are offered in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate the part-time student. Teaching assistantships are available to full-time students on a competitive basis.

A biostatistics concentration is offered within the Master of Science in Applied Statistics degree program. This coursework provides students with the quantitative knowledge and skills required for health-related careers within academia, industry, and government, including clinical trials, epidemiology, and observational studies, survey research, and genetics.

Admission Terms and Application Deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Oakland University Graduate School by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

February 15 (early), April 15 (regular), and July 15 (late) for fall semester
October 1 (early) and November 15 (regular) for winter semester
March 1 for summer semester
International applicants

Application Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

Graduate application requirements
Additional department application requirements

Recommendation for Graduate Admission form:
One recommendation must be from faculty members or professionals in the field who can evaluate the scholarly achievement and potential of the applicant.
All applicants who have received a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better will be considered.
Previous mathematical training should include the satisfactory completion of courses in multivariable calculus and linear algebra, as well as at least one introductory course in statistics. Applicants should also have some background in scientific computing.
Applicants who wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship should also submit a brief (up to 500 words) personal statement describing their goals and any prior teaching experience or other potentially relevant background. This statement should be sent to the Graduate Coordinator no later than February 15 in order to be considered for an appointment for the following academic year.

Admission Review and Assessment

Admission to graduate school at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Oakland University Graduate School, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Degree Requirements

To fulfill the requirements for the Master of Science in Applied Statistics, a student must successfully complete, with at least a B- in each course and an overall GPA of 3.00 or better, a 32-credit program as outlined below.

Course Requirements

a. Core Requirements (16 credits)

If the student has completed equivalent courses before admission, the student may substitute other statics (STA) or Biostatistics (BST) courses. Students with the necessary mathematics background are encouraged to complete these courses in their first year in order to satisfy prerequisites for more advanced courses.

All students must take:

b. Electives (16 credits)

All students are required to complete either 16 credits of elective courses -OR- complete the Biostatistics Concentration.

No more than 8 credits can be outside the STA or BST rubrics. All students have the option to take elective courses from the list of courses for the biostatistics concentration. All of the selected courses must be approved by the student’s adviser.

c. Biostatistics Specialization (16 credits)

This concentration emphasizes statistical theory and methods - preparing students to be statistical collaborators in interdisciplinary studies, take an active role in the design and execution of clinical trials, and develop methodologies relevant for biostatistics.

Required courses (12 credits)

course Reliability and Life Data Analysis I (4 credits)
course Longitudinal Data Analysis (4 credits)
course Clinical Trials and Ethics in Biomedical Sciences (4 credits)

One additional course (4 credits) from the following:

course Discrete Data Analysis (4 credits)
course Bayesian Data Analysis (4 credits)
course Bioinformatics and Biomedical Data Mining (4 credits)
course Introduction to Statistical Epidemiology (4 credits)

d. Applied Statistics Project

All students must complete an applied statistics project, demonstrating competence in applying statistical methods and theory in the solution of a practical problem or problems. The work must be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member appointed by the Graduate Coordinator, and the student must prepare a written report and make an oral presentation to a committee of faculty members appointed by the Graduate Coordinator. The committee must certify that the student has met the requirement. Contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information about this requirement.

Satisfactory academic progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good Academic Standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good Academic Standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.00.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

Holding a Graduate Assistantship
Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
Going on a leave of absence
Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Department requirements: To fulfill the requirements for the Master of Science in Applied Statistics, a student must successfully complete, with at least a B- in each course and an overall GPA of 3.00 or better, a 32-credit program as outlined above.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related Program Information

Plan of Study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Oakland University Graduate School.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)

Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.

Applied Statistics

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