Deliver A Curriculum With Appropriate Discipline Specific Skill Sets
The curriculum will provide students with opportunities to develop the skills typically required of professionals in the area of study.
Objective
Foundation Areas In Probability And Statistics
Students will have a working knowledge of the foundational topics including regression analysis, design of experiments, multivariate analysis, and mathematical statistics (Bayesian analysis, biostatistics, quality control, nonparametric statistics, sampling theory, and statistical computing).
Indicator
Comprehensive Oral Examination
A comprehensive oral examination, given by a committee of four faculty members, will be administered to candidates for the degree of M.S. in Statistics which will examine the candidate's knowledge of the primary areas of concentration within the program, as well as the candidates own communication abilities. The committee will then judge the candidates' knowledge of the material according to a previously agreed upon rubric with three levels of comparison: High Pass, Pass, and Fail.
Criterion
Multivariate Analysis
All candidates will receive a mark of either "High Pass" or "Pass" for the Multivariate Analysis component of the comprehensive oral exam. The rubric used is the same one shown in the "Mathematical Statistics" criterion.
Finding
Results: Multivariate Analysis
Seven students received a "pass" in multivariate analysis. A common issue seemed to be lack of a strong knowledge base.
Criterion
Regression Analysis
All candidates will receive a mark of either "High Pass" or "Pass" for the Regression Analysis component of the comprehensive oral exam. The rubric used is the same one shown in the "Mathematical Statistics" criterion.
Finding
Results: Regression Analysis
Seven students received a "pass" in regression analysis. While there were some small, correctable statistical errors, most candidates displayed an adequate knowledge of the material.
Criterion
Mathematical Statistics
All candidates will receive a mark of either "High Pass" or "Pass" for the Mathematical Statistics component of the comprehensive oral exam.
Finding
Results: Mathematical Statistics
All seven students received a "high pass" in mathematical statistics.
Criterion
Design Of Experiments
All candidates will receive a mark of either "High Pass" or "Pass" for the Design of Experiments component of the comprehensive oral exam. The rubric used is the same one shown in the "Mathematical Statistics" criterion.
Finding
Results: Design Of Experiments
Seven students received a "high pass" in design of experiments.
Action
Summary Of Oral Exam Results.
All seven candidates were able to receive "high pass" or "pass" on their comprehensive examinations. Because students seemed to struggle somewhat in regression and multivariate statistics, the faculty will re-examine the course material. It has not been an issue in the past, so it may well be that this was a one-time occurrence.
Goal
Deliver A Curriculum That Emphasizes Communication Skills
The curriculum will provide students with opportunities to develop the appropriate speaking and writing skills to function as a professional in the area.
Objective
Communicating Mathematical Ideas - Oral
Students will be able to prepare and deliver oral presentations of mathematical material based on a statistics practicum. Students will develop the ability to critique problems, and provide their own solutions based on statistical analysis.
Indicator
Statistics Practicum
A statistics practicum, under the guidance of one of the faculty members, and assessed by a committee of four faculty members, will be administered to candidates for the degree of M.S. in Statistics which will examine the candidate's knowledge of the primary areas of concentration within the program, as well as the candidates own communicative abilities. The committee will then judge the candidates' ability to effectively communicate mathematical ideas according to a previously agreed upon rubric with three levels of comparison: High Pass, Pass, and Fail.
Criterion
Practicum Assessment
All candidates will receive a rating of either "High Pass" or "Pass" by the members of the examining committee during the practicum assessment according to the attached rubric.
Finding
Practicum Assessment
Seven students completed their practicum this academic year. All seven received a "high pass."
Action
Efficacy Of Practicum
The results this year were very encouraging in light of the fact that all of the students doing the practicum this year were international students. They have made great progress in their written and oral English skills.