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Overview
The Ecological and Environmental Statistics Program will train students to understand and critically apply modern statistical principles to the solution of problems in ecological and environmental science. We feel that to do this successsfully the student must develop an understanding of both statistics and the underlying science.
Mission
The purpose of the masters program in Ecological and Environmental Statistics is to foster interdisciplinary cross-training at MSU, by promoting the statistical training of ecological and environmental scientists and the scientific training of statisticians. Ecology and other biological and environmental science disciplines have become increasingly quantitative, and graduate students in those disciplines now require extensive training in sophisticated statistical methodology. The old criterion of one introductory statistics course followed by an additional course in linear modeling is no longer adequate. Such quantitative and interdisciplinary skills are needed so that ecological and environmental scientists are equipped to facilitate communication between science and society, between scientists and the general public and between scientists and those who make policy based on scientific knowledge. MSU's location provides a unique opportunity to take advantage of and address these needs. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is recognized by scientists around the world as an outstanding natural laboratory for ecology and environmental science.
MS Program - Ecological and Environmental Statistics
A student's graduate committee would be composed of a minimum of two members from Mathematical Sciences, and one member representing the collaborating department. Students would need to pass two comprehensive exams, one in statistics and one in the participating field.
Requirements
- Minimum of 30 postbaccalaureate units.
- No more than 9 units duplicated in other MSU degrees.
- Minimum of 21 units in statistics (400 level or higher) or other approved quantitative courses. Unless equivalent previously taken, these must include:
- Minimum 2/3 graduate level units (note that unless some of the required undergraduate statistics courses have been previously taken this implies at least 36 units).
- Demonstration of the following competencies:
- Technical knowledge of participating substantive field. Requirements to be determined by collaborating department. Requirements may include:
- Comprehensive exam (one in statistics and one in participating field).
- Course work.
- Undergraduate degree.
- Scientific writing, satisfied by:
- A graduate course in scientific writing and a professional paper.
- BIOL 508 SCIENTIFIC WRITING
- Or research thesis in statistical ecology.
- Or a published paper (with approval).
- Or research thesis of collateral degree.
- Scientific presentation satisfied by:
- Presentation at a scientific meeting.
- Or a seminar course requiring presentation.
- Research satisfied by:
- 6 units of statistical consulting
- Or research thesis in statistical ecology.
- Or research thesis of collateral degree.
- Or a published paper (with approval).
- Philosophy of science, one course such as:
- Fostering Interdisciplinary Communication:
- Seminar series in Statistical Ecology
- Invited speakers in statistics, ecology, and environmental sciences.
- University funding will be sought at initiation of program.
- Interdisciplinary reading seminar or journal club in statistical ecology.
- Involvement of faculty and students from multiple departments.
- Jointly taught courses
Potential statistics and approved quantitative courses:
Competency in Ecology
Competency in ecology can be demonstrated either by the completion of a collateral graduate degree in ecology (M.S. or Ph.D.) or by completion of at least four graduate courses in ecology and a comprehensive exam. Ecology would require a course from each of four categories:
- philosophy and process of science
- population level ecology
- ecology at higher levels of organization such as community, ecosystem, or landscape scales
- evolutionary ecology
Competency in Environmental Science
Competency in environmental science can be demonstrated either by the completion of a collateral graduate degree in Land Resources and Enviromental Sciences (M.S. or Ph.D.) or Land Rehabilitation (M.S.); or by completion of a comprehensive exam and at least four graduate courses (12 credits) in environmental sciences from the following list:
- LRES advisor approved, graded, graduate-level LRES courses, not including 500 or courses numbered ≥ 570 other than 580 (special topics)
- up to 6 credits of LRES advisor approved, graded, graduate-level MSU environmental science course work may be substituted for LRES courses
Collaborating Departments and Faculty
Mathematical Sciences
- Homepage
- 2-214 Wilson
- Participating Faculty
Ecology
- Homepage
- 310 Lewis
- Participating Faculty
Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
- Homepage
- 334 Leon Johnson
- Participating Faculty
How to Apply
- Application includes:
- Statement of purpose (why you want to be an ecological statistician)
- Transcripts
- GREs
- Three letters of recommendation
- TOEFL scores are required for non-native speakers of English
- Names of any MSU faculty contacted
- Apply to:
- Montana State University
- Department of Mathematical Sciences
- Attn: Graduate Program Committee
- PO Box 172400
- Bozeman, MT 59717-2400
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