STATS-MS - Statistics (MS)
Download as PDF
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Statistics and the Master of Science in Statistics (Data Science track) are terminal degree programs designed to prepare students for careers in statistics, data science, and related fields. These programs are not pathways to the PhD in Statistics; students interested in doctoral study should apply directly to the PhD program.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Recommended preparatory courses include advanced undergraduate level courses in linear algebra and probability, and introductory courses in stochastic processes, numerical methods and proficiency in programming (Basic usage of the Python and C/C++ programming languages).
Course fulfillment equivalency
Statistics MS prerequisites
Multivariable calculus and linear algebra at the level of course
Introductory programming at the level of course
Intermediate statistics (multiple regression and ANOVA, possibly without linear
algebra) at the level of course
Introductory probability at the level of course
Data Science subplan prerequisites
Prerequisite courses may not be counted towards the 45 units required of the MS.
Courses below 200 level are not acceptable with the following exceptions: STATS 118; Math 104, Math 113; CS 106B, CS 107, CS140-182, CME 108.
- 2254091
OR 1254321
OR 1254841
OR 2282711
Students must take two advanced courses in probability or stochastic processes when replacing both STATS 118 and STATS 217.
Students may NOT enroll in STATS 118 AFTER completion of any of the following: STATS 200, 218, 219, 300A, 310A.
Students with limited background in probability should consider STATS 116X: Theory of Probability (accelerated).
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 1254311
- 2021882
- 1254841
OR 1254851
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 1254161
- 2022141
- 1254761
Students may NOT enroll in STATS 200 AFTER completion of any course in the STATS 300 series.
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 1254211
- 1254801
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 1172891
- 1172961
- 1057521
- 2066522
Students who enter the program with these foundational skills must select a more advanced course; course substitution may require DGS approval one quarter prior.
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 1056451
- 1056491
- 1056641
Students who enter the program with these foundational skills must select a more advanced course; course substitution may require DGS approval one quarter prior.
Must be taken for a letter grade.
15 Units
Five (5) Statistics courses must be taken from graduate offerings in the Statistics department at or above the 200-level*.
*Statistics workshop (WKS), seminars (SEM), practicum (PRA), and independent research (INS, RES) credit (1-2 unit) may only count towards breadth/general elective credit. See Breadth section below.
*STATS 200Q is not an allowable course for graduate students.
Must be taken for a letter grade, except those offered CR/S only.
Course substitution may require DGS approval one quarter prior. Courses in the depth requirement must be STATS course or its cross-listing.
Breadth courses are meant to complement their statistical training with graduate-level courses from a variety of disciplines. Courses develop relevant skills or emphasize applications of statistics and probability and expand their interests in areas such as optimization, scientific computing, economics, quantitative finance, healthcare, operations research, and environmental science.
Course substitution may require approval from DGS one quarter prior to enrollment.
Minimum three courses (3 units each).
Students can customize their academic experience through a wide range of elective courses in statistics and adjacent fields (lectures, workshops, training, independent study, practicum, seminars) enabling them to develop expertise aligned with their individual interests and professional aspirations.
With the exception of STATS 118; Math 104, Math 113, Math 151; CS 106B, CS 107, CME 108, classes must be taken at the 200 level or higher.
May be taken for CR/S.
- 2012622
- 1120642
- 1410301
- 1254573
- 2203691
- 1286521
- 2276851
- 2276841
- 1286521
- 1254551
- 1286541
- 2012731
- 1048651
- 1057521
- 2042901
- 1174062
- 1045842
- 2145632
- 2066522
- 2066542
- 1056701
- 2085161
- 1056721
- 2075241
- 1056751
- 1056761
- 1056791
- 1056821
- 2016391
- 1056841
- 1056871
- 2213951
- 1057251
- 1057301
- 2248641
- 2255581
- 1209041
- 2242591
- 2036822
- 2054181
- 1058241
- 1057481
- 1057501
- 2010401
- 1057881
- 2214723
- 2244912
- 2249831
- 1058351
- 2022701
- 1134091
- 1133741
- 1133752
- 1134651
- 2020911
- 1013241
- 1013281
- 2177851
- 1045501
- 2045041
- 1045921
- 2158531
- 1045431
- 1045441
- 1045551
- 1045561
- 1045581
- 1045281
- 1045841
- 1045871
- 2207332
- 1046011
- 2170261
- 1173491
- 1173761
- 1173931
- 1174301
With the exception of STATS 118; Math 104, Math 113, Math 151; CS 106B, CS 107, CME 108, classes must be taken at the 200 level or higher.
STATS workshop, seminar, practicum, independent study & research, and are repeatable up to 6 units.
STATS 200Q is not an allowable course for graduate students.
- 1038971
- 1038991
- 2211591
- 1039161
- 2273941
- 2066521
- 2066541
- 2161992
- 1040631
- 2256161
- 1035351
- 1036001
- 2101922
- 1036041
- 1037141
- 1228881
- 1233621
- 1233631
- 2121161
- 2241201
- 2273761
- 2076453
- 2229501
- 1247971
- 2279241
The following classes are recommended to be taken in sequence:
Year 1, Autumn: STATS 200
Year 1, Winter: STATS 203 and STATS 217
- 1254161
- 1254761
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 1254211
- 1254801
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 2244912
- 1133752
- 2235031
- 2159451
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 1254311
- 1254321
- 2021882
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 1254201
OR 2264331
OR 2264341 - 1254901
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 2265311
- 2120661
- 1057521
- 2066522
- 2253921
- 2117823
- 1057671
- 2010401
- 2214723
- 2247281
Students may also petition to use other classes that are focused on optimization, scientific computing and/or large-scale data analyses for this requirement. Requests must be submitted to the DGS one quarter prior to enrollment.
Must be taken for a letter grade.
- 1057301
- 1209041
- 2242591
- 2036822
- 2054181
- 1058241
- 1057481
- 1057501
AND 1057502 - 2164531
- 2190451
- 2117823
- 2205691
- 2249831
- 2226491
- 2254172
- 1254901
- 1254911
Students may also petition to use other classes that fulfill ML or AI learning objectives. Requests must be submitted to the DGS one quarter prior to enrollment.
Must be taken for a letter grade.
In consultation with the student's program advisor, the student selects 2-3 graduate level courses within the realm of data science to fulfill the remaining coursework required for the degree. Courses are expected to expand and strengthen the student's skill set.
May be taken for letter grade or CR/S.
The capstone project should be computational in nature with real-world project-based research and experiential learning using data science and computation skills learned during the course of their program.
Students should submit a 2-page proposal, supported by the faculty mentor/PI and send to the Data Science program advisor at least one quarter prior to enrolling in any research credit course.
Students are required to take minimum of 3 units of practical component.
Here are some examples of courses that have been used to meet the Capstone requirement:
Analysis and Measurement of Impact (course)
By application; Non-GSB students must apply for and be accepted into the course to enroll.
Statistical Consulting Workshop (course) Units: 1. Repeatable up to 3 times.
This class requires mastery of Statistics at the (graduate) level necessary to provide consultation to fellow members of the university.
Students attend weekly lectures on Friday to discuss consulting cases and various statistical techniques that arise frequently in consulting.
Consulting Workshop on Biomedical Data Science (course) Units: 1. Repeatable up to 3 times.
The Data Studio is a collaboration between Spectrum (The Stanford Center for Clinical and Translational research and Education) and the Department of Biomedical Data Science (DBDS). The educational goal of this workshop is to provide data science consultation training for students.
Workshop in Biomedical Data Science (STATS 260ABC/BMDS 280ABC) Repeatable up to 3 times.
Applications of data science techniques to current problems in biology, medicine and healthcare. To receive credit for one or two units, a student must attend every workshop. To receive two units, in addition to attending every workshop, the student is required to write a two page critical summary of one of the workshops, with the choice made by the student.
Xplore (course) Project Based Research Course Units: 1 - 6.
Enrollment by application only - limited enrollment; priority is given to ICME students.
Research for Credit
Independent Study (course) Units: 1-3; Repeatable up to 6 units.
In consultation with your program advisor, and permission of statistics faculty/advisor students may formulate independent study or directed reading in statistics, data science or related field. Students should submit a one-page proposal, supported by the faculty member and sent to the student's program advisor for approval (one quarter prior to start of the project).
or equivalent course in statistics adjacent department with program advisor approval.
Research in The Computational Neuroscience Laboratory (course) Units: 3. Repeatable up to 6 units.
Enrollment by application only.
Stanford students interested in research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, medical image analysis, and computational neuroscience to collaborate with our group in multiple exciting projects.
The research can be performed as an independent study at the CNSLab (part of the School of Medicine).
Industrial Research for Statisticians (course) Units: 1. Repeatable up to 3 units.
International students (F-1) MUST enroll when employed by a U.S. company (CPT).
Students MUST submit one-page summary of the job offer to their advisor prior to enrolling in STATS 298 and applying for CPT.
Students MUST submit one-page report of their internship to advisor by the end of the quarter.
Courses for the Capstone requirement may be taken for letter grade or CR/S.