Applied Statistics and Operations Research - 2022-23 Graduate Catalog

Chair: Richard "Herb" McGrath, Ph.D.
Graduate Coordinator: Yuhang Xu
Address: Maurer Center 241J
Phone: 419-372-2363
Program Web Page: http://www.bgsu.edu/business/departments-and-programs/applied-statistics-and-operations-research/graduateprograms.html

Degrees Offered
Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Offered
Master of Science in Applied Statistics*
Master of Science in Applied Statistics with a Specialization in Business Analytics

PhD in Data Science**

*The Master of Science in Applied Statistics is offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research. The program is designed to prepare students for direct entry into careers as statisticians in business, industry, or government, or for further study toward a Ph.D. degree in statistics.

**The Master of Science in Data Science and the Ph.D. in Data Science are offered jointly by three departments, the Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research, the Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. For more information on the program, please visit the Data Science page in the Graduate Catalog.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students in the Applied Statistics program are expected to be able to:

• Effectively explain critical concepts and assumptions in applied statistical modeling and analysis.
• Effectively analyze data using graphical, exploratory, and statistical modeling approaches to find patterns and assess if these patterns are statistically meaningful.
• Effectively use appropriate computer technology to help describe, predict, and prescribe solutions to applied statistical problems.
• Clearly communicate - both orally and in writing - conclusions drawn from descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analysis of applied statistical problems.

Prerequisites to Graduate Work
This program is designed for students with a background in mathematics, statistics, business, or a related science degree. Students without this background should expect to take longer to complete the degree requirements.

Applicants must have satisfactorily completed courses in differential and integral calculus, including multivariable calculus; a course in advanced calculus; and a course in linear algebra. At the Bowling Green State University, these requirements are equivalent to the completion of MATH 2330, MATH 4320, and MATH 4340.

These prerequisites may be waived for admission to the program but must be fulfilled early in the program.

Although no background in statistics is required for admission into the program, it is beneficial for applicants to have completed an introductory two-course sequence in probability and statistics, equivalent to MATH 4410 and MATH 4420 at Bowling Green State University.

Admission Procedure
Applicants seeking admission to the M.S. program should follow the instructions outlined in the Graduate Admission webpage.

Degree Requirements

Master of Science in Applied Statistics
Candidates must complete at least 33 semester hours of approved graduate credit, including at least 18 hours in courses numbered 6000 or above, excluding MATH 6850, 6940, and 6950. In addition, students must satisfy all the requirements described below. Students may pursue the M.S. degree under either Plan I or Plan II. Requirements under either plan are: MATH 6410 and 6420, STAT 5020, 5060, and 5080, and five elective courses (15 credit hours) in statistics (at least three at the 6000 level). Of these elective courses, at least six hours must be from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and at least six must be from the Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research. The remaining three hours may be from the offerings of either the Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research or the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, or may be any graduate course approved by the advisor. Any of these courses may be waived at the graduate level for students who can document equivalent undergraduate or graduate training; however, the credit hour requirement will not be reduced in this case. The student will be expected to substitute appropriate electives.

Plan I: Candidates must complete a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate course work and three hours of thesis credit. Candidates must submit a thesis on a topic approved by the Statistics Program Committee and must pass an oral examination over the thesis and MATH 6410 and 6420, and STAT 5020, 5060, and 5080.

Plan II: Candidates must complete a minimum of 33 hours of graduate course work including STAT 6750. Students must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination over MATH 6410 and 6420, and STAT 5020, 5060, and 5080. However, the oral examination will be waived for students with sufficient written examination scores.

M.S. in Applied Statistics with a specialization in Business Analytics
Candidates must complete at least 39 semester hours of approved graduate credit, including at least 18 hours in courses numbered 6000 or above. In addition, students must satisfy all the requirements described below. Students may pursue the M.S. degree under either Plan I or Plan II. Requirements under either plan are: MATH 6410 and 6420, STAT 5020, 5080, 5160, and 6440, OR 6610, IS 5400, and either OR 6620 or MATH 5450; and three elective courses (nine credit hours) with one from each of three groupings, OR/CS/IS, STAT/MATH, and ECON/MBA.

Plan I: Candidates must prepare a formal thesis while enrolled in STAT 6990 for at least three hours in addition to the 36 semester hours of graduate credit described above. The thesis must be successfully defended at an open meeting. Enrollment in STAT 6990 is restricted to students who have completed at least 18 hours of course work. The thesis committee should include at least one faculty member from the Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research, and at least one faculty member from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Plan II: Candidates must complete STAT 6750 and must pass separate comprehensive examinations in Applied Statistics (STAT 5020 and STAT 5080) and Mathematical Statistics (Math 6410 and Math 6420).

Graduate Courses
Please access graduate courses online at
http://www.bgsu.edu/registration-records/courses-and-classes/class-course-information.html. Graduate courses in these programs use the prefixes STAT, OR, CS, MATH, MBA, ECON, IS.