College: College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Designation: Interdisciplinary program
Major: Biometry
Degrees Offered: M.S.
Other: Ph.D. Minor
Faculty: Professors Clayton (chair) (Statistics/Plant Pathology), Larget (Statistics/Botany), Nordheim (Statistics/Forest Ecology and Management), Yandell (Statistics/Horticulture), Zhu (Statistics/Soil Science).
Biometry is the development and application of statistical methods to biological problems. At the UW-Madison, this application refers to problems from plant, animal, and agriculture biology. Biostatistics denotes this application to human biology. The master of science program in biometry is interdisciplinary, providing course work in statistics and biology, consulting experience, and supervised research combining the two areas.
The program is intended for two groups of students: those simultaneously working toward or intending to work toward a Ph.D. in some biological discipline, and non-Ph.D. students. Students who complete the M.S. in biometry and the Ph.D. in a biological science should be at the forefront of quantitative biological research. Students who end their studies with the M.S. in biometry, possibly obtaining another M.S. in a biological science concurrently, will be well suited for positions with industry or government.
Prospective students may apply for admission to the biometry program without application to any other program, simultaneously with application to another program, or after admission to another program. It is anticipated that most students enrolled in biometry will be enrolled concurrently in another program. It is expected that most students will be supported through a biological department or program or with their own funds. Opportunity for financial support through the program is very limited.
Applicants to the M.S. program should have completed the following prerequisites: calculus (Math 221, 222, and 223 or equivalent); one course in computer science (Comp Sci 302 or equivalent); one course in statistics (Stat 301 or equivalent); and background courses in biology (e.g., Botany 130 or Zoology 101 and 102).
Students may be admitted to the M.S. program without some prerequisites but will be required to make up deficiencies as quickly as possible. Credit received for courses to overcome deficiencies may not be used toward meeting the degree requirements.
For more information: Chair of Biometry, c/o Department of Statistics, 1300 University Ave, MSC, Room 1220, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-1009; jzg@stat.wisc.edu; www.stat.wisc.edu/Department/phd-masters/biometry.html.