Frequently Asked Questions
Application and Preparation
Planning Your Courses
Consulting, Internship, Practical Experience
Financial Aspects
Application and Preparation
How much mathematics and statistics should I know to qualify for admission?
Students who apply should have the preparation of a mathematics minor. They should have taken two semesters of single variable calculus in high school or college, and it is essential that they have taken full courses in multivariable (vector) calculus and linear algebra and done well in them (B+ or better). One or two additional courses at the sophomore or junior level are desirable. These can be as varied as additional mathematical courses (e.g. Graph Theory, Number Theory, Complex Variables) or courses in another discipline that have substantial mathematical content (e.g. Econometrics, Physical Chemistry, or Circuit Theory). Applicants should also know elementary concepts of statistics, at the level of a general introductory course for non-specialists.
I am not sure how well I am prepared for the course work. What do you recommend?
You can email us a list of relevant courses that you have taken. Please tell us your grade, when you took the class and whether you think it was a success for you.
I have only taken Calculus I and Calculus II. Can I get admitted to this program?
You should not submit an application at this time, but rather contact us to tell us your level or preparation. A good way to get prepared for the program is to take these courses at a local college before applying. Many community colleges offer these courses at convenient times. Georgetown University also offers these courses through its School of Continuing Studies during the summer. We'll work with you to prepare a plan.
You should also refresh your Calculus knowledge before enrolling in these courses, e.g. by going over your old notes or by spending some time working with a Calculus textbook.
I am currently taking Linear Algebra at a college nearby. Can I apply for admission before I have completed this course?
Yes, please advise us by email of your plans and your progress. You may end up getting admitted under the condition that you complete this course successfully (e.g. with a B+ or better).
I took Econometrics in College, and we did a good deal of matrix algebra in that course. Am I prepared adequately?
Ordinarily, this is not a sufficient preparation. Please contact the program by email, and submit some of the material or a syllabus from the course so that we can make a detailed assessement. You will still need to know Multivariable Calculus to enroll.
Is there a minimum GPA for applicants?
The Graduate School expects a B-average (3.0 or better) for applicants. We want to make sure that entering students can meet or come close to this requirement. For a successful application, evidence of success (A-grades) in advanced mathematics or statistics courses is even more important. If the application shows this, a student with a slightly lower GPA may still have a chance of admission.
How many courses can I take at a time?
Three courses per semester, plus perhaps a consulting clinic for advanced students (nine to eleven credits) is a manageable load for full time students. Incoming students may take no more than four courses in their first semester. In later semesters, they make take a fifth course only if they have done well so far and if there is room in that course.
How long can I take to complete the degree?
Graduate school rules state that students admitted to a master's degree program are allowed three years from matriculation to complete all requirements for the degree. Talk to your advisor if you think you might take longer, since there war ways to get an extension..
Will there be advisors for graduate students?
Before arriving at Georgwton University, entering students will be advised by the Director of Operations. After arrival, each new student will be assigned a permanent advisor.
Does the department offer graduate courses during the Summer?
We usually offer an elective course during the summer, alternating between courses in statistics and applied mathematics. The summer course typically meets twice a week in the early evening for eight weeks in June and July. The statistical consulting clinic is also usually offered. You may also find electives that are offered by other departments during the summer, and you can take summer courses through the Consortium.
I plan to continue working full time. How long can I take to complete the degree?
You are expected to complete the degree within three years from matriculation. If this becomes difficult, talk to your advisor, because there are ways to get an exception. The coursework can be completed by taking one or two courses per semester for three years.
How easy is it to take courses in other departments?
In most cases, there are no barriers for mathematics/statistics graduate students who wish to take courses in other departments. Departments may however have rules that restrict access to their courses. You should always contact the instructor before enrolling in a course offered by a third department in order to find out about prerequisites and restrictions.
Is is possible to take the Probability Theory / Mathematical Statistics courses out of sequence?
We strongly recommend that you take Probability Theory first and then Mathematical Statistics. Also, it is recommended that Mathematical Statistics be taken soon after Probability Theory.
Is is possible to take the Deterministic Models / Numerical Methods courses out of sequence?
These two courses can be taken in either order or in parallel. If possible, Deterministic Models should be taken first.
When are the core courses offered?
Probability Theory (Math-501) is offered in the fall and Mathematical Statistics (Math-503) is offered in the spring. Deterministic Models (Math-502) and Numerical Methods (Math-504) will be offered each semester, starting in spring 2010.
What is the typical enrollment in a graduate class?
Enrollment ranges from about 20 students in popular sections of core courses down to six or eight students in certain elective courses.
Will I be able to get a seat in the course I want to take?
We are trying to make sure that this is always possible, subject of course to a student satisfying the prerequisites for a given class. Some core courses (Math-501 and Math-503) are offered in multiple sections, and at least one of these sections will have room. Other core courses (Math-502 and Math-504) are offered every semester, and you may have to wait a semester to take one of these courses if it is currently full. We will help you plan your studies around such bottlenecks and will make sure that your graduation is not delayed.
Can I take elective courses before completing the four core courses?
Yes, this is possible, depending on the prerequisites for the elective course. Usually, there is at least one elective course each semester that is accessible to new students or to students who have only been in the program for one semester. Please contact the instructor of the elective course if you have questions.
I have taken graduate courses elsewhere. What are the rules for transferring credit?
Students may transfer up to 7.5 credits (in practice: six credits) for qualifying graduate courses from other institutions. Please look at our webpage for more information. It is important that you contact us by email to determine which of your courses qualify. We will require details such as a syllabus, information about the textbooks that were used, or possibly a final exam copy.
There is a course at another university in the Washington area that I would like to take. Can I do this?
Students enrolled in a Graduate School degree program may enroll for courses through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, provided the courses are not available at Georgetown University. You must obtain permission from this program, Georgetown's Graduate Dean, and the visiting institution, and you cannot register for a Consortium course during Early Registration. Detailed rules are available on the Graduate School's webpage. If you took a class at another area institution directly (not through the Consortium), you can ask for transfer of credit, subject to the 25% limit on transfer credit.
Can I take courses in the Biostatistics department to satisfy the degree requirements?
The Biostatistics courses BIST-510 (Probability and Sampling) and BIST-511 (Statistical Inference) may be taken instead of the core courses MATH-501 (Probability Theory) and MATH-503 (Mathematical Statistics). In addition, courses such as Statistical Modeling I and II may be taken as electives. Contact the instructors of these courses before enrolling. Other elective courses offered by the Biostatistics Masters' program may also satisfy requirements for our program. Look at the Courses webpage for details.
The courses BIST 501 (Introductory Biostatistics) and BIST 502/TBIO502 (Applied Biostatistics) are graduate level service courses and do not count as electives for the Mathematics and Statistics program.
I understand that graduate students must maintain a B-average. How is this rule enforced?
An average GPA of 3.0 is one of the graduation requirements, and a student cannot accumulate two or more failing (F) or unsatisfactory (U) grades. Keep in mind that this is a requirement for an average, not a requirement for each course or for each semester. Thus an occasional B- or even a C can be made up with grades that are better than B. Students whose average GPA falls below 3.0 in a given semester should talk to their advisor and/or the Director of Graduate Studies to determine the best way to improve their standing. They will not be kicked out of the program without previous warnings. Details of these rules may be found here.
Consulting, Internship, Practical Experience
How does the consulting experience actually work?
The statistical consulting clinic will offer consulting services mainly to members of the Georgetown community. Students who are enrolled in this clinic should have taken at least Math-503 (Mathematical Statistics) and preferably another statistics course. They should also be comfortable with at least one statistical software package such as SAS, SPSS, Minitab, or R/S-Plus.
Students will work on statistical questions that are brought by Georgetown researchers and students, mainly from the social and natural sciences. Some of these questions may take only an afternoon to solve, and the answer may take the form of a telephone call or an email. Others may take several weeks to finish and require work with datasets that are provided by clients and a written report.
The applied mathematics clinic will mainly work on projects that originate with outside partners or with departmental faculty and that have a more mathematical flavor. Projects are expected to take a month or longer and will usually result in a detailed report. Students who are enrolled in this clinic should have taken Math-502 (Deterministic Models) and Math-504 (Numerical Methods). They should also be comfortable with at least one computational software package such as Matlab and/or Mathematica.
Is there a difference between the academic year and the summer versions of the consulting clinic?
Yes. During the summer, the consulting clinic usually assists a group of graduate nursing students with the evaluation of a set of surveys. There is a specific time frame. The work usually starts in early July and a substantial time commitment is required in August. Students who take consulting during the academic year see a broader variety of problems, and a student's time commitment is spread out over the entire semester.
Can I receive credit for an internship?
Students who entered the program before fall 2009 may earn academic credit for an internship. Students who enter in fall 2009 or later do not have this option. Internships are strongly encouraged.
I am working full time. What are my options to satisfy the requirement for a practical experience?
You may already be working in an environment which provides opportunities for work that is related to mathematics and statistics. In that case, the requirement can be satisfied by preparing a written report on a suitable project and giving an oral presentation. If you have done that kind of work in the past but are doing something else now or if your current work cannot be shared with others due to confidentiality requirements, you can also satisfy the requirement by writing a report and giving a presentation on past work. You can also enroll in the consulting clinic, either during the regular academic year or during the summer, and present a report on some substantial consulting projects.
Can I satisfy the consulting requirement at my workplace?
Talk to the Director of Graduate Studies about this option.
Can past work experience be used to satisfy the requirement for a practical experience?
Yes, this is possible. It's essential that your work has had substantial mathematical or statistical aspects. You will be asked to prepare a written report and give a presentation.
How does an internship actually work?
An internship takes place off campus, at a location and in an environment that is usually not connected to Georgetown University. Summer internships are usually full-time and last from four to more than eight weeks. They may continue into the academic year on a part-time basis. Internships during the academic year are usually part-time. The graduate program will help students find internships with external partners, according to their interests and time constraints. Students are encouraged to find internships on their own.
Will I have be able to choose between different internships?
Yes, students have had choices between internships in the past.
Can I get paid for an internship?
Interns are often paid for their work. However, there is no guarantee. Keep in mind that the financial benefit of an internship may come later - when you apply for a job and can point to past experience.
What is the difference between internship and consulting?
An internship is spent off campus, and you will work for a non-Georgetown partner, typically on a single project. Consulting is done on campus, supervised by Georgetown faculty, never on a full time basis (perhaps one afternoon per week). Problems will be smaller (ranging from a few hours to several weeks) and will typically come to you. A formal written for the client report may not be required in consulting, depending on the nature of the problem. Finally, you will be consulting in a group, so there will be other students or faculty to help out if a problem is too difficult or too lengthy. In both experiences, you will learn to talk to non-specialists, use your mathematical and statistical skills to solve problems for them, and communicate the solutions in their language.
I'd rather take another course instead of enrolling in the consulting practicum. Is that possible?
This is possible if you are currently working in an environment that provides substantial practical experience, requiring mathematical or statistical work at an advanced level and work with non-specialists. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies if you are interested in this option. Keep in mind that consulting experience will generally look good on your transcript and may improve your chances with future employers.
Financial Aspects
What kind of financial assistance is available for students?
The program offers a few scholarships, that is, reduced tuition. Students interested in scholarships have earlier application deadlines. Currently, we do not offer fellowships. That is, there are no student salaries for teaching or research. However, there are some opportunities for student employment.
Can I become a teaching assistant?
We do not have formal positions for teaching assistants, but we do hire teaching assistants on an hourly basis.
What other possibilities are there for student employment?
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics regularly hires graders and tutors. There are also other opportunities for student employment, ranging from work in the library to work for an administrative department at Georgetown University.
Will I receive an automatic offer of financial assistance when I get admitted?
We can only offer scholarships to a few candidates for admission, not to all.
If I don't receive an offer for a scholarship upon admission, will I have another chance once I am enrolled?
We will offer limited additional scholarships to students who do exceptionally well after enrolling in the program and have not received a scholarship upon acceptance. These students will be contacted individually.
Where can I find out more about financial assistance?
Georgetown University's Office of Student Financial Services has information for graduate students.
