The MA Mentored Research (STAT GR5398) provides a mechanism for MA in Statistics students to undertake on-campus projects or research, particularly for students who want to gain research experience or apply for a Ph.D. program after graduation. All students are strongly encouraged to prioritize their performance in core required and elective courses before considering a research project or any extracurricular data science experience. 

STAT GR5398 can count as an elective toward the MA in Statistics Degree if the project is relevant to the educational goals of the program.  

Research Eligibility 

  • Research projects and faculty mentors must be identified before a student can register.
  • Students in their first semester of the program are not eligible to register for GR5398.
  • While working with Columbia University faculty is preferred,  the project mentor can be an academic researcher, professor, or research scientist in the university OR a previously Statistics Department-approved setting. 

Application Process for Approved Projects 

At the start of each Spring and Fall semesters, a list of available projects will be shared with students. Students may apply to no more than five projects. The Project Mentor will review the applications and select students for their projects. Students who receive an offer to participate in a project have the option to register on the waitlist for GR5398 if they want to receive credits and count towards graduation. To be approved and accepted into the class roster, students must submit the MA Mentored Research Project Confirmation Form AND upload a copy of an email from the project mentor confirming the workload (number of hours/week) for the project.

Registration Process (Optional)

Step 1: Submit the MA Mentored Research Application.

Step 2: Once you receive and accept an offer from the mentor, you may register on the waitlist for GR5398 via SSOL ONLY if you want the MA Mentored Research to be recorded on your transcript. Make sure you select the number of credits and grading options accurately.

Step 3: To be approved and accepted into the class roster, students must submit the MA Mentored Research Project Confirmation Form AND upload a copy of the email from the project faculty/mentor confirming the workload (number of hours/week) for the project. 

Application Process for New Projects 

Any student already working on or with a confirmed and eligible research project, may send an email to Professor Demissie Alemayehu, da15@columbia.edu, for consideration. The email should include:   

  • A description of the research project
  • Confirmation from the faculty mentor

Once the project is approved by Professor Alemayehu, please follow Step 2 of the “Registration Process ” if you decide to register for GR5398.

Credit and Grading Registration Guidelines

For a course to count towards the MA Degree, it must be taken with a letter grade. The credit option must be indicated at the time of registration. 

  • Zero (0) credit for approximately 5 hours of work per week with P/F option only.
  • Students must register for a letter grade if they plan to take GR5398 for credits. 
    • One (1) credit for approximately 5 hours of work per week with a letter grade.
    • Two (2) credits for approximately 10 hours of work per week with a letter grade.
    • Three (3) credits for approximately 15 hours of work per week with a letter grade.

Depending on whether the course is taken for P/F or a letter grade, the end-of-semester requirement is different: 

  • For P/F,  a student must receive a letter from the faculty member certifying the student’s contribution to their research. 
  • For a letter grade, the student must submit a research report to Professor Alemayehu, da15@columbia.edu
  • The grading option must be selected by the Deadline to choose Pass/Fail. 

Grading for the course is based on a report and feedback from the research mentor.

Report

The following will be taken into account in the evaluation of the research report:

  • Clarity of Research Question: Clearly defined and relevant research question.
  • Methodology: Appropriate and well-executed methods for the research question.
  • Data Analysis or modeling: Effective use of data and sound analysis.
  • Interpretation of results.
  • Presentation and Organization: Well-organized report, clear writing, proper citations.
  • Originality and Critical Thinking: Novel insights, creativity, and critical evaluation of results.

Research Mentor Feedback

The research mentor will be asked to rate the student [as excellent, very good, good, fair, area of development] on the following:

  • Initiative and Independence: Proactively engages in research tasks, demonstrates self-direction, and works independently with minimal supervision.
  • Learning and Skill Development: Effectively develops new skills, learns necessary methods, and adapts to feedback.
  • Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Demonstrates ability to troubleshoot challenges, think critically about research problems, and offer solutions.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Works well within a team, communicates progress clearly with mentor and peers.
  • Project Management and Responsibility: Manages time well, meets deadlines, takes responsibility for the quality and completion of their work.

Questions about the course or the research component of the course should be sent to Professor Alemayehu, da15@columbia.edu.  

_____________________________

NOTE:  Students who are not interested in pursuing a Ph.D. after graduation are recommended to focus on class projects, data science hackathons/competitions, or activities organized by on-campus student associations such as the Columbia Statistics Club or the Columbia Data Science Society.