The M.S. in Statistics is administered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics located in the Chapman Building on the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) campus. UAF is reputed for its strength in the natural sciences, especially in those areas touching on the arctic environment. Many institutes and departments use statistical methodology in their research, among them the Institute of Arctic Biology, the Institute of Marine Sciences, the Geophysical Institute, the Department of Biology and Wildlife and the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. The MS in Statistics program builds upon UAF's strength in the natural sciences by introducing a strong quantitative alternative to existing programs. Graduates of this program could be labeled quantitative biologists, biometricians, quantitative geologists, geostatisticians, or mathematical statisticians depending upon their specific coursework. In addition, this program prepares individuals for Ph.D. level work in statistics or in their area of application. Students pursuing a Ph.D. in another field can pursue the M.S. program in statistics simultaneously. The program is intended to take two academic years to complete for individuals with the appropriate prerequisite courses and does not interfere with summer field work in the area of specialization.