The Department of Statistics & Operations Research of the School of
Mathematics offers three M.Sc. degrees in
Statistics (Applied Statistics,
Statistics & Probability and Biostatistics) and M.Sc. degree in
Operations Research .
Statistics is concerned with drawing conclusions and making
decisions from empirical data. Mathematical modeling
plays an important role in statistics, with a special role for
probability theory, which is often used to describe the variations
in observed data and as a basis for making inferences from them.
The computer is also an essential tool; it enables
us to analyze and visualize increasingly complex data sets.
Modern Statistics covers a wide range of disciplines from the theoretical development
of complex statistical and stochastic models to the most advanced applications
of
statistical methods in engineering, industry, medicine, biology, economics,
social sciences and other fields.
Typical problems range from efforts to identify risk
factors for heart disease to design and analysis of an experiment
to improve a production process to testing the effect of a new
instructional program to estimating indices for tracking the
economy.
There is a strong interplay in statistics between theory and
practice and many important ideas arose from the need to solve real problems.
Statistical methods are needed in virtually all branches of science and technology and
one of the exciting and enjoyable aspects of statistics is
the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from many different areas.
Biostatistics deals with development and applications of statistical tools in
biology, medicine and public health. Its role is essential in such areas as
the design and analysis of clinical trials in medical and pharmaceutical
research, the detection of influential genes, and the search for enviromental
factors affecting various deseases in epidemiological studies. Biostatistical
methods are
widely used in modern genetics and bioinformatics. The multi-displinary nature of
biostatistics requires a
close collaboration with colleagues from other fields and makes it necessary to
understand the problems they are facing. In additon to providing students with
necessary statistical tools, the Biostatistics
program involves basic epidemiological and medical science studies given by the
Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University.
The Department of Statistics & Operations Research
offers three M.Sc. degrees in Statistics:
Statistics & Probability, Applied Statistics and Biostatistics.
The normal requirement for admission as a M.Sc. student for all degrees
is a strong undergraduate record in Statistics, Mathematics or a related subject.
The Biostatistics program also welcomes applicants with degrees in Life Science or
Medical Science and strong mathematical ability.
The usual period of full-time study for the M.Sc. is two years to complete
courses and an additional half a year - a year to finish the M.Sc. Thesis.
During the studies a student has to take 30 credit hours of courses. Advanced courses
for Graduate Students usually give 3 credit hours.
To finish the degree one must carry out a research project under the supervision of
one of the staff members
of the Department you can choose
and, as a result, to submit the M.Sc. Thesis.
There are four mandatory
courses in Applied Statistics (Advanced Statistical Theory, Selected Topics
in Mathematics for Statistians,
Statistical Laboratory Workshop and a statistical seminar for graduate students)
and four for Statistics & Probability (Advanced Probability,
Advanced Statistical Theory, two advanced seminars for graduate students),
while others can be chosen from
a variety of elective courses covering a
wide spectrum of topics in statistics and probability.
Students are also encouraged to take courses in related areas
such as Operations Research, Mathematics, Computer Science.
For Biostatistics program a student has to take at least 18 credit hours from the
Department of Statistics & OR and at least 10 from the Faculty of Medicine.
The required courses include Statistical Theory, Regression,
Experimental Design and Analysis of Variance, Analysis of Contingency
Tables, Survival Analysis, Statistical Laboratory Workshop and
a statistical seminar for graduate
students within Department of Statistics & Operations Research, and Introduction to
Epidemiology and Methods in Research & Surveys within the Department
of Epidemiology. Students that already took these courses during their
undergraduate studies will complete the credit hours by other advanced
statistical/epidemiological
courses. Students without corresponding background in statistics and
epidemiology will be required to complete Probability,
Introduction to Biochemistry and Introduction to Physiology & Pathalogy
without credit. The required background in mathematics for Biostatistics program
includes two semesters of calculus and one semester of linear algebra.
More details about the programs may be found on the
Yedion
or consulting with an
Advisor for Graduate Students in Statistics who will be happy to help you in compiling your study program which will suit your interests and needs.
The usual period of full-time study for the M.Sc. in Operations
Research is two years to complete the course work and an additional
year to finish the M.Sc. Thesis.
A student has to take 30 credit hours of courses, where advanced
courses for graduate students usually give 3 credit hours each.
There are five mandatory courses in the program (Convex Analysis & Optimization,
Queuing Theory, Network Flows, one out of the 3 courses: Location,
Integer Programming and Dynamic Programming, and an advanced seminar
for graduate students), while other courses can be selected from a
variety of elective courses offered by the Department.
Students are also encouraged to select courses in related areas such
as Applied Statistics, Probability, Computer Science and
Mathematics.
To complete the requirements and graduate, the student must carry out
a research project under the
supervision of one of the staff members of the Department , and
submit the M.Sc. Thesis.
Information about the Department of Statistics & Operations Research can
be obtained here .
Today Statistics is an extremely effective and
necessary tool in essentially all areas of science and industry.
It is not just a beautiful slogan but the reality we face all the time!
Both in the research and teaching process, an intensive use of School of
Mathematics' extensive computing facilities is made. These include a powerful
network of SUN workstations and PC's. The most used statistical software tool is
S-Plus or its free analog R, although students are free to use any other statistical
packages they find appropriate such as SPSS, BMDP, SAS, etc.
Graduate Students with strong academic records are encouraged to apply for
Teaching Assistant positions. Usual duties include checking homeworks of
Undergraduates in various courses in Statistics and Probability.