The master's program is designed to prepare candidates for careers in industry or government or for further study at the PhD level. The MS is broadly based with course work in statistical methodology, probability theory, mathematical statistics and linear statistical models, along with a selection of courses from a wide variety of areas in statistics, mathematics, and computer science.

Unique to our program is the opportunity for students to collaborate with Mines faculty and scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) on statisical problems related to climate change and global warming.

Following is a summary of the Master of Science Program with a specialty in Statistics. Additional information on Graduate School Requirements can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

Requirements for Admission

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, from an accredited institution. Students are expected to have completed a course in Multivariate Calculus. Undergraduate work in probability and statistics is desirable, but not required. Applicants without the prequisites stated above may occasionally be admitted with deficiencies.

Degree Options

Students may choose either the thesis option or the non-thesis option. The thesis option requires 24 hours of coursework plus 12 hours of thesis credit leading to an acceptable Master's thesis. The non-thesis option requires 36 hours of coursework.

The following core courses, comprising 21 credits, are required of all students. Elective courses may be selected from any other graduate courses offered by the Department, except for specially designated service courses. In addition, up to 6 credits of elective courses may be taken in other departments on campus.

A Typical Schedule

For a student entering without deficiencies, the Master's program in Statistics typically takes two years to complete. A typical schedule follows.

Year 1: Fall Semester:

• MATH 500 - Linear Vector Spaces
• MATH 530 - Statistical Methods I
• MATH 534 - Mathematical Statistics I

Year 1: Spring Semester:

• MATH 531 - Statistical Methods II
• MATH 535 - Mathematical Statistics II
• Elective

Year 2: Fall Semester:

• MATH 438 - Stochastic Models
• Research (thesis students) or Elective (non-thesis students)
• Research (thesis students) or Elective (non-thesis students)

Year 2: Spring Semester:

• MATH 436 - Advanced Statistical Modeling
• Research (thesis students) or Elective (non-thesis students)
• Research (thesis students) or Elective (non-thesis students)

Course descriptions of both graduate level courses and senior level courses are available for you to review.

For thesis students, it is desirable to find a thesis advisor and form a thesis committee by the end of the first year. You may review the detail requirements and a sample timeline for any additional questions you may have.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following materials:

• an application form, available online from the Graduate Admissions home page.
• transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work
• a statement of purpose (short essay) from the applicant briefly describing background, interests, goals at CSM, career aspirations, etc;
• three letters of recommendation; and
• the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

The Graduate School may require additional materials from some applicants, for example, applicants whose native language is not English may be required to provide proof of English proficiency by submitting TOEFL scores.

Variations from these requirements may be allowed in rare cases where exceptional promise is clear from other evidence provided.

If you are interested in our program, we'd like to learn more about you. Please complete our Online Request Form and we'll send you additional information about our program.