- Approved Courses
- Cross-Registration
- Electives by Interest Area
- PhD Level Statistics Courses
- Non-Approved Courses
Approved Courses
Admittance into any course below is not guaranteed. All courses are subject to availability.
The approved courses listed below are available for elective credit in the M.A. in Statistics Program. (Please also review non-approved courses.) The Columbia Course Directory lists the available courses for each semester.
The MA Program requires the equivalent of six (3-pt) elective courses, of which at least three must be offered by the Statistics Department. Details of course requirements for graduation are HERE.
Each student’s Faculty Adviser must approve all courses for graduation. It is recommended to use the MA PROGRAM COURSE CHECKLIST to send to the Faculty Adviser. All students should confer with their Faculty Adviser prior to selecting electives each semester.
Since new courses are coming up all the time, the MA Program has a procedure to request approval:
- The first step is to obtain the syllabus and share it with your Faculty Adviser for approval. A Faculty Adviser may approve a course for a particular student’s schedule to count for graduation. However, it is recommended that the faculty adviser seek input from the MA Program Faculty Directors.
- The second step is to fill out and submit the ELECTIVES APPROVAL FORM.
Entry into any course is not guaranteed, especially regarding courses in other Schools or Departments. Please see information about Cross Registration below. Check the Course Directory for up-to-date information on what courses are offered each semester.
Topics and seminar courses are generally not approved, although Topics in Modern Statistics GR5293** may be taken once as an approved elective. Statistics courses offered in other departments, other than the ones listed below, are generally not approved.
Course Registration: Statistics Elective Courses
Statistics Elective Courses (must complete a minimum of 3 total)
STAT | # | Course Title |
STAT | GR5206 | Statistical Computing and Intro to Data Science |
STAT | GR5207 | Elementary Stochastic Processes |
STAT | GR5221 | Time Series Analysis |
STAT | GR5222 | Nonparametric Statistics |
STAT | GR5223 | Multivariate Stat Inference |
STAT | GR5224 | Bayesian Statistics |
STAT | GR5231 | Survival Analysis |
STAT | GR5232 | Generalized Linear Models |
STAT | GR5233 | Regression and Multi-Level Models |
STAT | GR5234 | Sample Surveys |
STAT | GR5241 | Statistical Machine Learning |
STAT | GR5242 | Advanced Machine Learning |
STAT | GR5243 | Applied Data Science |
STAT | GR5245 | Introduction to TensorFlow with Python (1 pt) |
STAT | GR5261 | Statistical Methods in Finance |
STAT | GR5262 | Stochastic Processes for Finance |
STAT | GR5263 | Stat Inf/Time-Series Modeling |
STAT | GR5264 | Stochastic Processes Applications I |
STAT | GR5265 | Stochastic Methods in Finance |
STAT | GR5399 | Statistical Fieldwork |
STAT | GR5293* | Topics in Modern Statistics |
*The topics course GR5293 may only count ONCE as an approved elective for the MA Program, unless approval is obtained from the academic advisor.
Cross Registration: Approved Courses in other Departments
The Statistics Department does not have any influence on allowing you into a cross registered class. Cross Registration is always at the discretion of the specific School/Department/Instructor.
Admittance into any course is not guaranteed. All courses are subject to availability.
Most schools/departments do not allow students to cross-register until the first week of classes.
Schools and departments all have their own cross registration processes. Please review the links and information below. For schools/departments not listed, review each individual website and, if needed, reach out to their student affairs office to inquire about their cross registration options and processes.
- Computer Science
- Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
- Columbia Business School
- Most courses have a prerequisite of Capital Markets “FINC B8306/ MATH G4076” or “waiver exam”.
- Email crossreg@gsb.columbia.edu.
- Data Science Institute
- Non-Data Science students will be able to join a waitlist via SSOL.
- Space permitting, Non-DS students will be moved from the waitlist to the class roster during the first week of classes.
- Students are encouraged to attend the first day of class to get the syllabus and to get a pulse for the course.
- Email: DataScience-Registration@
columbia.edu. - Students who want to take COMS 4995 must have provide the syllabus of the specific section to their Faculty Adviser for individual approval.
- Math Finance
- All Math Finance courses have managed waitlists. This means that everyone who registers is automatically added to a waitlist which is managed by the instructor.
- The first priority goes to Math Finance students. After those students are given places, then spaces will be available for Statistics Students.
- Some Math Finance courses will not be available for cross registration until the first week of classes.
MA students may register for courses at Teachers College, as long as they get permission from TC and their adviser.
School of Public Health – Biostatistics
Course | Course Title |
PUBH P8108 | Survival Analysis (PUBH P6103/4, STAT GR5203, GR5204 and GR5205) |
PUBH P8116 | Design of Medical Experiments (PUBH P6103/4, STAT GR5203, 5204 and 5205) |
PUBH P8121 | Generalized Linear Models (PUBH P6103/4, STAT GR5203, GR5204, and GR5205) |
PUBH P8139 | Theoretical Genetic Modeling (PUBH P6103/4) |
PUBH P8140 | The randomized clinical trial I (PUBH P6103/4) |
PUBH P8142 | The randomized clinical trial II (PUBH P6103/4, P8140) |
Important:
The courses in parentheses are prerequisite courses. Biostat 6000 level courses are not approved for graduate credit in the MA Program in Statistics.
Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR) Courses
For information on how to cross-register for Industrial Engineering and Operations Research click here.
Course | Course Title |
IEOR E4403 | Advanced Engineering and Corporate Economics |
IEOR E4404 | Simulation |
IEOR E4407 | Game-Theoretical Models of Operations |
IEOR E4412 | Quality Control and Management |
IEOR E4700 | Introduction to Financial Engineering |
IEOR E4725 | Networks: Formation, Contagion, and Epidemics |
Mathematics Courses
Course | Course Title |
MATH GU4061 | Introduction to Modern Analysis I |
MATH GU4062 | Introduction to Modern Analysis II |
MATH GU4155 | Probability Theory |
MATH GR5010 | Introduction to the Theory of Mathematical Finance |
MATH GR5030 | Numerical Methods in Finance |
MATH GR5220 | Quantitative Methods in Investment Management |
MATH GR5280 | Capital Markets & Invest |
MATH GR5300 | Hedge Funds Strategies & Risk |
MATH GR5320 | Financial Risk Management & Regulation |
MATH GR5340 | Fixed Income Portfolio Mgmt |
MATH G5360 | Math Mthds-Fin Price Analysis |
MATH GR5380 | Multi-Asset Portfolio Mgmt |
MATH GR5400 | Non-Linear Option Pricing |
MATH GR6151 | Analysis & Probability I |
MATH GR6307 | Algebraic Topology |
MATH GR6308 | Algebraic Topology II |
Applied Mathematics Course
APMA 4300 – Introduction to Numerical Methods
Economics Courses
Course | Course Title |
ECON GU4415 | Game Theory |
ECON GU4301 | Economic Growth & Development |
Finance and Business Economics Courses at Columbia Business School
For specific instructions on how to cross-register for classes at Columbia Business School click here (Most courses have a prerequisite of Capital Markets “FINC B8306/ MATH G4076” or “waiver exam”).
Course | Course Title |
ACCT B8008 |
Earnings Quality & Fundamental Analysis |
FINC B8306 | Capital Markets & Investments |
FINC B8307 | Advanced Corporate Finance |
FINC B8308 | Debt Markets |
FINC B8318 | Investment Banking Tax Factors |
FINC B8323 | Asset Management |
FINC B8325 | Mergers & Acquisitions |
FINC B8326 | Capital Markets Regulation |
FINC B8333 | Real Estate Capital Markets |
FINC B8347 | Financial Crises and Regulatory Responses |
FINC B8348 | Emerging Financial Markets |
FINC B8362 | Project Finance |
FINC B8368 | Security Analysis |
FINC B8384 | Equity Derivatives |
FINC B8394 | Private Equity: the asset class, its investments & its markets |
FINC B8396 | Institutional Investing: Alternative Assets in Pension Plans |
FINC B8423 | Investor Influence on Corporate Sustainability |
FINC B8424 | Competitive Advantage in Investing |
BUEC B8250 | Global Economic Environment II |
Note: Most Business School courses have a prerequisite of Capital Markets (FINC B8306/ MATH GR5280 (formerly G4076) or waiver exam). Click here for more information.
Actuarial Science Courses
Course | Course Title |
PS5821 | Actuarial Methods I (By permission only by Faculty Adviser; must have demonstrated interest in AS) |
PS5822 | Actuarial Methods II (By permission only) |
PS5823 | Actuarial Models |
PS5830 | Models for Financial Economics (formerly known as Stochastic Processes for Actuaries) (By Permission Only) |
PS5846 | Quantitative Risk Management |
Machine Learning/Data Science/Computer Science Courses
Important Note: Students may take up to two courses from the list below to count toward graduation. Students must consult with Faculty Advisers about potential overlap in Data Science/Machine Learning courses when exploring courses not on the list below.
Course | Course Title |
U6506 | Data Science & Public Policy |
APMA E4990 | Introduction to Data Science in Industry |
BINF G4006 | Translational Bioinformatics |
COMS W4111 | Introduction to Databases* |
COMS W4121 | Computer Systems for Data Science (Spring course only) |
COMS 4705 | Natural Language Processing |
COMS 4775 | Causal Inference 1 |
COMS 4995* | Causal Inference for Data Science |
COMS E 6998-013 | Cloud Computing & Big Data |
CSOR W4231 | Analysis of Algorithms I |
CSOR W4246 | Algorithms for Data Science |
CSEE W4119 | Computer Networks |
ECBM E4040 | Neural Networks & Deep Learning |
ECBM E6040 | Neural Networks and Deep Learning (Research) |
EECS E6720 | Bayesian Mod Machine Learning |
EECS E6893 | Big Data Analytics |
EECS E6895 | Adv. Big Data Analytics |
EECS E6894 | Deep Learning for Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing |
*COMS 4995 Sections (if not specifically included on the list above) must be individually approved by the Faculty Adviser.
Computer Science courses are not open to Statistics students until the first two weeks of classes. They are restricted until then. Enrollment is determined by the CS Department and not guaranteed.
Political Science
- POLS GU4720: Applied Regression and Causal Inference
- POLS GU4724: Experimental Methods
Other
Statistics Electives by Interest Area
Below are some possible electives a student might select based upon interest area. Please note these courses are recommended as a helpful guide in course selection; however, they are not required.
Admittance into any course below is not guaranteed. All courses are subject to availability.
FINANCE
GR5221 | Time Series Analysis |
GR5207 | Elementary Stochastic Processes |
GR5264 | Stochastic Processes-Applications I |
GR5263 | Stat Inf/Time Series Modelling |
GR5265 | Stochastic Methods in Finance |
GR5261 | Statistical Methods in Finance |
In addition to approved courses from the Business School, Mathematics of Finance, & Related Programs.
DATA SCIENCE SEQUENCE IN STATISTICS
GR5206 | Stat Computing & Intro to Data Science (prerequisite for GR5241) |
GR5241 | Statistical Machine Learning (prerequisite for GR5242) |
GR5242 | Advanced Machine Learning |
*Data Science Sequence – The Data Science sequence includes GR5206 offered in the fall which is a prerequisite for GR5241 offered in the spring. Both courses are a prerequisite for the course, GR5242: Advanced Machine Learning.
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY OR PUBLIC HEALTH
GR5232 | Generalized Linear Models |
GR5222 | Non-Parametric Statistics |
GR5231 | Survival Analysis |
In addition to approved courses from Biostatistics and Epidemiology.
ACTUARIAL SCIENCE and THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY
GR5231 | Survival Analysis |
PS5823 | Actuarial Models |
GR5207 | Elementary Stochastic Processes |
In addition to approved courses from Economics, Actuarial Science, & the Business School.
PhD Level Courses in Statistics
Selected PhD level statistics courses may be open to MA Statistics Students only through an application process. For more information on the process and how to apply, click HERE.
Non-Approved Courses
The following courses are NOT approved for the Statistics MA degree requirement:
- 3000 level courses
- Courses offered by the Applied Analytics Program in the School of Professional Studies
- STAT GU4281 or K5281 – Theory of Interest
- STAT GU4282 – Linear Regression and Time Series Models
- Courses for Data Science Institute students only: STAT GR5701, 5702, 5703
- SIEO W4150 – Intro Prob & Stat Inference
- IEOR E4106 – Stochastic Models
- IEOR E4540 – Data Mining for Engineers
- ECON W4412 – Ad Econometrics or other 4000-level Econometrics courses
- ECON W4413 – Econometrics of Time Series
- QMSS W5067 – Natural Language Processing
- Finance 6000 – level courses
- Biostat 6000 – level courses
Many topics and seminar courses are not approved to fulfill the MA degree requirement.
For courses not listed above, students should confirm with their Faculty Adviser before registering and fill out the ELECTIVES APPROVAL FORM.