M.A., M.S. in Statistics

The department offers graduate work leading to MS degree in Statistics. Students can concentrate on theory or applications, and programs can be tailored to emphasize such areas of interest as ecology, engineering, forestry, genetics/genomics and computational biology, mathematics, or oceanography. All students obtain experience as statistical consultants for problems in a variety of areas, including agriculture, biology, forestry, exercise physiology, and engineering. Students interested in environmental sciences have the opportunity to obtain experience both in and outside the classroom with statistical methods for environmental data. The thesis is optional for MS and MA degrees. Statistical consulting is part of the program, enabling the student to gain a deeper appreciation of the need, power, and applicability of statistical tools through exposure to real problems. The MS program is designed to prepare a candidate for a career in industry or government or for further study at the PhD level. Recent MS graduates have found employment with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, Abt Associates, state of Oregon, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Veterans Affairs, NOAA, MRI Global, and Capital One.