Program Overview
The PhD in Statistical Science equips students with advanced knowledge of statistical theory and practice. Through coursework, qualifying exams, and a dissertation, students develop proficiency in theoretical statistics, computation, and data analysis. The program fosters independent research contributions and prepares graduates for careers in academia, industry, or government, with research areas spanning biostatistics, big data, and statistical computing.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The PhD in Statistical Science is the highest academic attainment for a statistician. It requires in-depth knowledge of modern statistical theory and practice. The program is a hybrid of theory, computation, and data analysis, and students are expected to be proficient in all three.
Objectives:
The program aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of modern statistical theory and practice, enabling them to conduct independent research and contribute to the field of statistics.
Assessment:
- Qualifying Exams: Students must take written qualifying exams in Applied Statistics and Theoretical Statistics. The exams cover content from specific courses listed in the program requirements.
- Dissertation Proposal Examination: Students must complete all coursework, pass the qualifying exams, and defend a dissertation proposal. The examination includes a proposal manuscript and an oral presentation.
- Doctoral Defense: The dissertation defense serves as the student's final examination and is conducted by the Dissertation Committee.
Other:
- Research Areas: Current research areas of key department faculty include biostatistics, modern statistical methodology, big data, data analytics, statistical or machine learning, applied probability, statistical networks, statistical computing, statistical imaging, bioinformatics, financial statistics, Bayesian statistics, data confidentiality, and statistics interfaced with other disciplines.
- Dissertation Committee: The Dissertation Committee consists of a chair, two members of the graduate faculty who hold regular appointments in the Department of Statistics, and an external member.
- Advancement to Candidacy: Admission to candidacy is acquired on completion of a dissertation proposal examination.
- Student Disagreements: Student disagreements with any committee evaluation must be reviewed by the committee, with the Department Chairperson as the last arbiter of the appeal.
