Degrees and Programs

Students who choose courses with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics Department develop a strong background in mathematics. They can earn teacher licensure in mathematics at the secondary level or choose minor programs in mathematics and statistics.

Visit our academic catalogues for more information.

Undergraduate

• Main
• College of Arts and Sciences
• Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Graduate

• Main
• Graduate Programs

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate certificate program must hold a bachelors degree from an accredited university or college in this country. Alternatively, applicants can hold the equivalent to a bachelors degree from a foreign institution based on a four-year program. They must have a strong overall academic record with a "B" average or better on courses prerequisite to statistical methodology.

Applicants are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

1. An application for graduate admission
2. All official transcripts (both undergraduate and graduate)
3. Three letters of recommendation describing the individual's potential to complete the program

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UNCW offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Applied Statistics. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact our Program Coordinator Jim Blum or Graduate Coordinator Mark Lammers.

Visit the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Philosophy of the Program

The collection and dissemination of vast quantities of information has been made possible by modern technology. he use of statistical techniques in a variety of fields has quickly increased as a result.

Leaders in business and industry and public administrators all have the desire to make the most efficient and effective use of the wealth of information available to them. Enrollment in graduate programs has increased alongside the need for trained statisticians over the last 10 years.

The Professional Certification Program in Applied Statistics is intended to help fill the need for qualified personnel trained in the proper use of statistical methodology. The curriculum allows for a balance between the technical and practical aspects of statistical applications. Students are equipped with knowledge on reporting results to different audiences.

The overall objective of the program is to give working professionals the necessary skills to ensure their data-based inferences and decisions are based on sound statistical principles.

The certificate program is designed for:

• Business, industry and public administration professionals who have limited training in statistics but deal with data on a regular basis. Ideally, they would like to improve their working knowledge of data analysis, use more sophisticated techniques than those in current practice and/or use the acquired knowledge to advance their career.
• Graduate students in other disciplines who have a need for statistical knowledge in their future career or are interested in a deeper understanding of statistical methodology as it relates to their field.
• Students who have earned undergraduate degrees in other programs and believe statistical training will give them a competitive advantage in their field.
• Those who wish to pursue an advanced degree in statistics but would prefer to gain more experience before proceeding.
• Secondary school teachers who would like to be more adequately prepared to discuss statistical techniques in their courses.

Things to Know

• The program requires 17 or 18 credit hours for completion.
• Students must complete a minimum of 15 hours from graduate courses containing a substantial degree of statistical theory or application.
• At least 12 of those credits must be from courses offered in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
• The remaining hours may include another three hour graduate course or a two hour research project STT 596.
• The course options selected are subject to approval by the program coordinator.

Course descriptions for statistics courses and other potential electives.

The following are courses that may be applied to elective coursework. This is by no means a comprehensive list and will be updated frequently.

Coming Soon: sample plans of study tailored to various professions.

STT 501. Applied Statistical Methods (3)

Prerequisite: Any elementary statistics course. A survey of statistical methods for scientists.

Topics include:

• Data description
• Probability
• Estimation and hypothesis testing
• ANOVA
• Linear regression
• Contingency tables

This course does not count toward the masters degree in mathematics. No credit granted after successful completion of STT 411/511 or STT 412/512.

STT 505. Data Analysis (3)

Prerequisite: Any statistics course. Introduction to exploratory data analysis.

Topics include:

• Use of stem and leaf plots
• Boxplots
• Transformations of data
• Resistant lines
• Analysis of two-way tables
• Residual analysis
• Comparison of robust/resistant methods with standard statistical techniques

STT 511. Design of Experiments and Analysis of Variance (3)

Prerequisite: Any elementary statistics course.

Topics include:

• Review of elementary statistics
• Design of experiments including completely randomized block, factorial, split-plot, and repeated measures designs
• Analysis of variance
• Non-parametric alternative methods of analysis

Statistical software packages will be used as appropriate in problem solving.

STT 512. Applied Regression and Correlation (3)

Prerequisite: Any elementary statistics course.

Topics include:

• Review of elementary statistics
• Linear and multiple regression
• Correlation

Statistical software packages will be used as appropriate in problem solving.

STT 520. Biostatistical Analysis (3)

Prerequisite: Statistical programming and consent of instructor. Basic knowledge of statistical methods used in epidemiological studies and clinical trials.

Topics include:

• Measures of association
• Logistic regression
• Covariance
• Life tables

Cox regression; statistical analysis using SAS.

STT 525. Categorical Data Analysis (3)

Prerequisite:

• Statistical programming and consent of instructor
• Introduction to the analysis of qualitative data
• Basic methods of summary and inference for two and three way contingency tables
• Introduction to the generalized linear model for binary and Poisson data
• Focus on multinomial responses (nominal and ordinal) and matched pairs data
• Statistical analysis using SAS

STT 530. Introduction to Non-parametric Statistics (3)

Prerequisite:

• A calculus-based statistics course
• Theory and methods of non-parametric statistics in the one- and two-sample problems and their comparisons with standard parametric procedures
• Non-parametric tests for comparing more than two samples
• Tests of randomness and independence

STT 535. Applied Multivariate Analysis (3)

Prerequisite:

• STT 511 & 512
• Matrix manipulations
• Multivariate normal distribution
• Inference for mean vector and covariance matrix
• Multivariate analysis of variance
• Principal components
• Canonical correlations
• Discriminant analysis
• Factor analysis
• Cluster analysis
• Statistical analysis using SAS

STT 540. Linear Models and Regression Analysis (3)

Prerequisite:

• A calculus-based statistics course
• Theoretical introduction to the general linear model and its application to simple linear regression and multiple regression
• Estimation and hypothesis testing of:
  • Model coefficients
  • Residual analysis
  • Analysis of covariance

STT 565. (MAT 565/465) Applied Probability (3)

Prerequisite: A calculus-based statistics course

Topics include:

• The formulation, analysis and interpretation of probabilistic models
• Selected topics in probability theory
• Conditioning
• Markov chains
• Poisson processes
• Renewal theory
• Queuing theory
• Gaussian processes
• Brownian motion
• Elementary stochastic differential equations

STT 566-567. Mathematical Statistics (3-3)

Prerequisite: A calculus-based statistics course.

• A rigorous introduction to mathematical statistics including:
• Univariate and multivariate probability distributions
• Conditional and marginal distributions
• Theory of estimation and hypothesis testing
• Limiting distributions and the central limit theorem
• Sufficient statistics
• The exponential class of probability density functions

STT 569. (MAT 569) Stochastic Processes in Operations Research (3)

Prerequisite: MAT/STT 565

Probabilistic models with applications in operations research including:;

• Queueing theory
• Birth-death processes
• Embedded Markov chains
• Finite and infinite waiting-room systems
• Single and multi-server queues
• General service distributions
• Markov decision processes
• Reliability

STT 590. Case Studies in Statistical Consultation (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Topics include:

• Review of case studies involving consulting with clients on statistical design of experiments
• Analysis of experimental and observational data
• Consulting on statistical issues with clients on campus through the departmental consulting center
• Presentation of oral report on consulting experience

STT 592. Topics in Statistics (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Topics in statistics of current interest not covered in existing courses.

STT 596. Research Project (2)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Coursework includes:

• Design of an experiment and/or survey approved by the program coordinator
• Collection and analysis of data to be detailed in an oral and written report

EDN 525. Tests, Measures, and Measurement in Education (3)

Prerequisite: EDN 301, EDN 520, or approval of instructor.

Designed to develop a conceptual framework for obtaining and interpreting data about behavioral and psychological traits of persons. This data may be needed for a variety of purposes.

Particular attention will be given to developing understanding of:

• Validity of measures for intended purposes
• Assessing the trait that is intended to be measured

Students will learn to:

• Make judgments of validity of testing systems
• Develop valid tests and testing systems
• Use mathematical and statistical tools to:
  • Analyzing items
  • Tests
  • Scores
• Use computers for test development, administration and to analyze records of performance on tests

PLS 506. Research Methods and Program Evaluation (3)

Covers research methods and basic statistics. This includes:

• Hypothesis testing
• Examines the theory and practice of program evaluation
• Examines ethical issues related to the practice of program evaluation

PSY 555. Psychological Research Methods I (3)

Prerequisite: Course in research methods and permission of instructor.

Advanced study of research design and statistical analysis applicable to research in psychology including:

• Topics in basic psychological statistics are taught from an advanced perspective
• Analysis of variance, correlational and nonparametric techniques

PSY 589. Psychological Research Methods II (3)

Prerequisite: PSY 555.

Overview of the various research strategies and designs used in psychology including:

• Application and extension of methods learned in Psychological Research Methods I
• Contemporary research problems in psychology

GGY 524. Geographic Information Systems (3)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Introduction to the science and technology of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) including:

• Data collection
• Spatial data structures
• spatial analysis theory and techniques
• End-user map products

Instruction will be provided through lectures, demonstrations and lab exercises. Two lecture and three laboratory hours each week.

The program has prepared or helped prepare past graduates for the following specific positions (with SOC information).

Thad Dankel Mathematics Scholarship

This award was established to honor Dr. Thaddeus Dankel's 30 years of service and commitment to UNCW and the Mathematics Department. The recipient of this merit based award should have been accepted into the College of Arts and Sciences, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and have indicated a commitment to major in mathematics.

Gene T. and Elizabeth J. Fales Scholarship

This award was established by Mr. and Mrs. Fales in memory of Dr. Adrian Hurst and in honor of Dr. J. Marshall Crews. It is awarded to a student who has declared a major in mathematics or pre-engineering and has completed high school in North Carolina. Preference is given to students from New Hanover, Brunswick, Guilford or Randolph Counties. Scholarship is based primarily on need with merit secondary consideration.

Adrian D. Hurst Mathematics Scholarship

This award was established by Mr. Dean Sidbury, a Wilmington College graduate who received an Associate of Arts degree in 1956. This scholarship is in memory of Dr. Adrian D. Hurst, an original Wilmington College faculty member who taught and mentored Mr. Sidbury while he was a student.

It is awarded to provide assistance with tuition and fees for a rising junior, senior or graduate student that has declared a major in mathematics or a student in a pre-engineering transfer program and is a full time student at UNCW.

A. Carl Nelson, Jr. Scholarship

This award was established by Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Nelson, Jr. in recognition of Mr. Nelson's long association with UNCW and his love for teaching statistics. It is awarded to a full time student minoring or majoring in statistics. The student must have completed at least 75 hours of coursework, 24 hours must have been taken at UNCW.

Douglas D. Smith Scholarship in Mathematics and Statistics

This award was established in recognition of Dr. Douglas Smith for his 29 years of service to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. And 16 years were served as the department chair. This scholarship is merit-based and awarded annually to an undergraduate student who has declared a major in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Kenneth R. and Linda Smith Gurganus Scholarship in Mathematics and Statistics

This award was established by Linda Smith in honor of Kenneth's retirement from UNCW. Both Dr. and Mrs. Gurganus have served as faculty members in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics..

Toney Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Award

This award was established in memory of Dr. Fred Toney, Jr., a former UNCW faculty member. It is given to a student who has declared a major within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics who has demonstrated academic excellence and participation in extra-curricular activities in mathematics.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has a program that enables a student majoring in mathematics to receive a Bachelors and a Masters degree in a five year period. The key feature of the program is that a student can count up to 12 hours of graduate level courses satisfying requirements for the B.A. or B.S. toward the M.A. or M.S. in Mathematics.

This program is designed for students in the B.A. or B.S. program in Mathematics at UNCW who have:

1. Completed a minimum of 75 and maximum of 98 credit hours in their undergraduate programs in mathematics
   1. This includes credits earned from advanced placement
   2. If they start at UNCW or are transfer students and have completed a minimum of two semesters as a full-time student at UNCW, a minimum of 24 hours
2. Completed a minimum of 9 hours of 300-400 level mathematics or statistics courses
3. A minimum accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on all 300-400 level mathematics or statistics courses at UNCW

You can apply for this program if you meet the above criteria. Follow these steps:

1. First obtain an application form from the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
2. Return the completed form to the Graduate Coordinator

If you are accepted to this program, then you must complete the following steps:

• During your senior year, you must submit the standard application for admission to the Graduate School including: an application form for Graduate School, application fee, transcripts and GRE scores
• A Graduate Degree Plan, signed by the prospective student, the Department Chair and Graduate Coordinator must be submitted before the end of the senior year

In addition, the Graduate Degree Plan for the Master's degree must clearly indicate:

• Courses (maximum of 12 graduate credit hours) that will be double-counted for both Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• Additional graduate courses that will be taken during the senior year but not counted toward the Bachelor's degree
• The student intends to fulfill his/her course requirements for the masters' degree no later than a year after receiving the bachelors' degree
• Intended graduation date for the Master's degree

A letter of acceptance (or denial) to the Master's program will be sent to the student and copied to the Department Chair and the Graduate Coordinator. Acceptance will be contingent on meeting degree requirements, including completion of the Bachelor's degree.

A student who is ineligible to participate or continue in, or withdrawals from the Bachelor's/Master's program cannot double count any courses for both Bachelor's and Master's degrees.