Mar 19, 2024  
Graduate Record 2005-2006 
    
Graduate Record 2005-2006 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Statistics


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Degree Requirements


Programs of Study


The Department of Statistics administers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. These programs provide diverse opportunities for advanced study and research in all areas of applied and theoretical statistics, and practical experience in statistical consulting.

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is completed within three semesters, though in some cases, the degree can be completed in one calendar year (two semesters and a summer session). Candidates for the M.S. degree complete course requirements covering the breadth of applied and theoretical statistics, and statistical consulting, and pass certain general examinations based on those courses.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is normally completed within five years. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree fulfill certain course requirements and examinations beyond the M.S. degree. The fundamental addition is the Ph.D. dissertation, which presents original research performed under the supervision of a faculty member.

All full-time graduate students are required, as part of their training, to gain instructional experience by assisting with the teaching of undergraduate courses.

Master of Science Degree


Course requirements


The M.S. program requires 24 units of coursework. M.S. required courses: STAT 501, STAT 512, STAT 513, HES 704 or STAT995 and one of STAT 516, 531, or 718. The following courses will not count towards the required 24 units: STAT 997/STAT 999, STAT 598, STAT 912, MATH 311/509, MATH 312/510. STAT 501 may be taken S/NS; all other courses must be taken for a grade.

(For detailed course information, see statistical course offerings). Consulting (STAT 995) cannot be taken in the first semester of the M.S. program. In addition, a student may choose consulting as at most one of the three electives. No more than three units of consulting can be taken in any one semester and no more than 6 units are allowed overall.

Students are not permitted to register for Non-Topical Research. If a student registers for three courses, such a student needs to fill out a 12 unit program, and does so, by enrolling in STAT 912 (Statistics Seminar) for 3 units; a grade of S or NS will be given for STAT 912 based upon attendance. The credits for STAT 912, however, as noted above, do not count toward the 24 units requirement.

Examination Schedule


There are two examinations required for the M.S. degree:

Master’s Exam This exam covers STAT 512, STAT 513, and either STAT 516, 531, or STAT 718; it is given once a year on the second Saturday in April (if this coincides with the Easter weekend, then it will be given on the third Saturday in April).

Language Exam This covers one programming language (SPlus) and one statistical package (SAS); it is given once a year on the second Saturday in April (if this coincides with the Easter weekend, then it will be given on the third Saturday in April).

Doctor of Philosophy Degree


Course requirements


The Ph.D. degree requires 72 credits of statistics and approved mathematics courses at the 500 level and above. All statistics courses at the 500 level and higher, except STAT 501 and 520, may be counted toward the Ph.D. degree. Statistical consulting (STAT 995) is limited to a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 credits. Further, statistics seminar (STAT 912), directed reading (STAT 996), and non-topical or dissertation research (STAT 997 and 999) are limited to a combined total of 18 credits.

MATH 511, 531, 532, 551, 552, 731, 732 and 736 may be counted without special permission. MATH 510 or 512 may not be used toward the Ph.D. degree requirements. Other mathematics courses, as well as courses from other University programs, such as applied mathematics, computer science, economics, and systems engineering, may be counted subject to successful petition to the Graduate Committee of the Division of Statistics.

General examinations


All students are required to take the Ph.D. General Exams at the end of the first year. The exams encompass the six required first year courses (Option A students take exams on five required first year courses). The exams are given on the Friday and Saturday preceding the first day of classes in the Fall semester of the second year. Only one retake is allowed; it is given on the Friday and Saturday preceding the first day of classes in Spring semester of the second year.

Qualifying examination


The Ph.D. Qualifying Exam is designed to establish the candidate’s preparedness for dissertation research. It must be taken in the third year of graduate study. By the time of taking the examination, the candidate should have chosen a broad area of potential research (e.g. multivariate statistics) and a probable dissertation advisor. The Ph.D. Qualifying Exam is not intended as a dissertation proposal and it is not expected that the student have formulated a probable dissertation topic prior to taking the qualifying exam.

In consultation with the dissertation advisor, the student shall choose a committee of at least two faculty members. Normally this committee shall be chosen from the Statistics and Biostatistics faculty. The committee together with the student shall choose a small coherent package of one to three papers for the student to prepare and present. The selected papers should be in the student’s proposed area of dissertation research and should involve substantial statistical issues.

The format of the exam consists of a talk prepared by the student and delivered to the Statistics and Biostatistics graduate students and faculty. After the talk, the Statistics and Biostatistics faculty will question the student to establish the student’s understanding of the papers and of the background subject fields inherent in these papers.

Language requirement


The Computer Language Exam covers one statistical programming language (S-Plus) and one statistical package (SAS); it is given once a year on the second Saturday in April (if this coincides with the Easter weekend, then it will be given on the third Saturday in April).

Course Descriptions


The Statistics Colloquium


The colloquium is held weekly, with the sessions devoted to research activities of students and faculty members, and to lectures by visiting statisticians on current research interests.


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