Joint Statistics and Computer Science M.S. Degree

This joint M.S. program consists of 30 credits - either ten courses, or eight courses with a 6-credit thesis. Students must form an advisory committee consisting of three faculty, with at least one member with a primary appointment in each department. The non-thesis option requires five courses from each department; specific requirements are outlined below. The thesis option requires the same courses, but replaces two electives (one from each department) with six credits of M.S. research, culminating in an oral defense with the advisory committee.

Course Requirements

Statistics: One course from each of the following groups

1. Probability, STAT 519, STAT 532
2. Methods, STAT 525, STAT 526
3. Mathematical Statistics, STAT 517, STAT 528, STAT 553
4. Computational Statistics, STAT 527, STAT 545, STAT 546, STAT 598 Stochastic Optimization (will have a permanent number)
5. Elective: any regular lecture course higher than STAT 512

Computer Science

1. Theory courses: CS 580, CS 584, CS 588 Randomized Algorithms
2. Systems courses: CS 503, CS 505, CS 536, CS 565, CS541
3. Two statistical CS courses: CS 520 Optimization, CS 543, CS 544, CS 571 Artificial Intelligent, CS 573, CS 577 NLP, CS 578
4. Elective: any regular lecture CS course higher than 502, certain CS 592 or CS 593 with approval by the advisory committee. 

Communication Requirement

All students enrolled in the joint Statistics and CS Masters program must demonstrate effectiveness in communication. For students using the thesis option, this will be assessed in the normal course of their program. For students using the non-thesis option, if the assessment cannot be made on the basis of presentations and papers in courses, the student must write a technical essay at the beginning of the final semester. The chair of the Graduate Committee evaluates the essay.