Statistics, Ph.D.

Profile

The Ph.D. Program in Statistics will give the student a solid background in statistical theory and in statistical methods, in technical reading and writing skills, and in conducting independent research. Most graduates from our doctoral program have been employed as tenure-track faculty at other universities. They also have the necessary background to work as lead researchers in industrial and research organizations.

Graduation Requirements

1. At the end of the first year in the doctoral program each student must take a comprehensive qualifying examination. If needed astudent may retake this examination. A passing grade on this examination is mandatory for continuance in the doctoral program.
2. After completing this examination a student with the assistance of her/his adviser will be expected to form a doctoral committee. This committee will determine which courses are to be included in the Graduate Level Statistics electives, and will set the conditions of and conduct the preliminary examination. A passing grade on this examination is mandatory for official admittance into the doctoral program.
3. The student must write and successfully defend a dissertation research project. The specific conditions of the dissertation project are to be determined by each student’s doctoral committee, but should consist of original research suitable for publication.