Program Information

Graduate programs are offered that lead to either the MS or PhD degrees in statistics. The master's program has been very successful in preparing 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, as well as a selection of courses from the following areas: stochastic processes, time series, sampling, multivariate analysis, categorical data analysis, statistical computing, and other topics in statistical methods. Most students find the hands-on data analysis experience received from consulting in the Franklin A. Graybill Statistical Laboratory or working on a CASE (Center for Applied Statistical Expertise) funded project to be invaluable.

The PhD degree program is sufficiently flexible to prepare candidates for careers in industry, government, and academia. Students, in consultation with their advisers, may choose a study program with emphasis on either statistical methodology and applications or the theory of statistics. Course work is required in advanced probability and mathematical statistics. Students may specialize in areas including: statistical methodology, linear models, time-series analysis, applied probability and stochastic processes, multivariate analysis, biostatistics, sampling theory, experimental design, and statistical computing. Formal course work is enhanced by an active visitors program and a seminar series. A course of study leading to the PhD degree can be designed either for the student who has completed the MS degree or for the student who has completed the bachelor's degree.

RESEARCH FACILITIES

The Morgan Library is a short walk from the Statistics Department. A reading room with commonly used journals is also maintained in the statistics building. The department is committed to maintaining a state-of-the-art computing environment. For computing needs, the department maintains both a Unix network Sun workstations and X-terminals) and an NT network (PCs), both of which provide access to many mathematical and statistical software packages, as well as the internet.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT

• TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS

The department has a number of graduate teaching assistantships available; most outstanding students are able to obtain them. Appointments are for the nine-month academic year and provide for a monthly stipend, as well as the payment of tuition. Assistantships are renewable, based on satisfactory performance and academic progress. In addition, summer support options, such as internships, teaching, and consulting are available through the department. Most students hold teaching assistantships during their first year and work under the supervision of a faculty member in recitation sections of introductory courses. Graduate students of proven teaching ability are often permitted to teach their own section of an undergraduate course.

• RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS

Students may also move on to research assistantships, gaining experience in research projects like the following examples: hurricane prediction techniques; biometric studies for the US Department of Agriculture; analysis of environmental and pollution data; analysis of data from the Colorado Division of Wildlife; disease incidence modeling for radiation and health studies; modeling methods for whale stock assessment and management; and a variety of theoretical projects related to experimental design, stochastic processes, time series, mathematical statistics, and multivariate analysis.

• PRIMES FELLOWSHIP

PRIMES (Program for Interdisciplinary Mathematics, Ecology, and Statistics) is a 2.85 million dollar IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training) grant from the National Science Foundation, most of which is devoted to supporting student participation in PRIMES and research on Ph.D. theses in quantitative ecology. The principal mechanism for support is the PRIMES Fellowship, which can be awarded to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The full year Fellowship stipend for 2005/2006 is $30,000 plus tuition. Partial awards for support for a combination of academic semesters and summers are available. PRIMES also supports student activities such as travel to conferences. Applications are invited by new and continuing students; visit http://www.primes.colostate.edu for application information and materials.

COST OF STUDY

Most assistantships include the payment of tuition on behalf of the student. All students are responsible for the payment of fees, which total approximately $1,090 for the 2005-06 academic year. For those students not on appointments, tuition in 2005-06 for the nine-month academic year is $3,690 for in-state and $14,958 for out-of-state students. Colorado residency for tuition purposes can be established in 12 months by students who are U.S. citizens.

COST OF LIVING

In 2005-06, the cost for room and board, books and classroom supplies, personal expenses, and health insurance is approximately $12,000 for nine months. Furnished housing facilities for married students are available on campus and range from $575 to $802 per month. Campus housing for single students runs from $375 per person per month in a two-bedroom (shared) unit to $575 per month for a one-bedroom (single) unit. The above rates include all utilities (gas, electricity, water, trash and sewer), installed telephone, and cable TV hook-ups.

THE AREA

Fort Collins, a city of about 120,000 residents, is located on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver and about 40 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park. The mountains offer excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation. The climate is one of the attractive features of the area, with an abundance of sunny days and cool summer nights. Fort Collins, the University, and Denver offer a wide variety of cultural and other activities.

THE UNIVERSITY AND THE DEPARTMENT

The University was founded in 1870 as the Agricultural College of Colorado. It became Colorado State University in 1957 and has grown rapidly in recent years and now serves about 25,000 students. The statistics program at Colorado State University was established in 1960, and a separate Department of Statistics was created in 1971. There are twelve full-time and four part-time faculty members, with between 45-50 on-campus students, as well another 20 off-campus distance degree graduate students. The Department's moderate size promotes effective interaction not only within the Department, but also with researchers in other disciplines.

CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Department of Statistics
Colorado State University
Fort Collins CO 80523-1877

Telephone: (970) 491-5269
FAX: (970) 491-7895
E-mail: stats@colostate.edu
URL: http://www.stat.colostate.edu

Information regarding the "on-line" application process is available at the Graduate School's homepage: http://www.graduateschool.colostate.edu.