Department of Statistics
Volgenau School of Engineering
Volgenau School of Engineering
The terminal degree "Ph.D. in Statistical Science" represents the highest academic attainment for a statistician, and as such, requires in-depth knowledge of modern statistical theory and practice and an ability to conduct cutting-edge independent research in statistics. The degree program is a hybrid of mathematical theory, computation, and data analysis, and students are expected to be proficient in all three. Research areas of key departmental faculty in the program include biometric identification, biostatistics, computational statistics, data exploration, financial statistics, statistical genetics, statistical graphics, and statistical learning and visualization. The Department has had a history of producing top quality Ph.D. students; many of them are employed in academia, the federal government, and technology firms. Ph.D.-level statisticians have 0% unemployment, and have a large range of high-end employment opportunities.
Degree Requirements: All students must take, at minimum, 24 approved credits of advanced emphasis coursework above the M.S. degree, including three core courses (STAT 876 or 971, and STAT 972-973) and five special emphasis courses selected in conjunction with a doctoral studies committee, plus 24 credits of dissertation work with a faculty member in the Department. Three written qualifying examinations must be taken within the first year of admission, and must be passed within two consecutive administrations:
Applied Statistics
Applied Probability
Statistical Inference
Qualifying Examination Application
Qualifying Examination Schedule
Admission to candidacy will be based on two comprehensive exams: one covering the 8 advanced emphasis courses and one for the dissertation proposal presentation. The applications for those exams can be found below:
Application for Comprehensive Exam
Application for Dissertation Proposal
Admission Requirements: Students should have a master's degree in a mathematically intensive discipline with a minimum 3.50 GPA. Students entering with a master's degree are expected to have completed coursework equivalent to STAT 544, 554, 652, and 656 with exceptional performance. The program also requires a course in advanced calculus (MATH 315 or equivalent) with a B or better. In exceptional circumstances, talented students with a mathematically intensive undergraduate degree may be admitted. The GRE exam is required for admission.
Application is made through the central Volgenau School Admissions Office website. The admissions deadlines are strict and are clearly stated here. Students are strongly encouraged to submit a complete package to the admissions office to avoid delays in processing separate mailings. International students must have minimal TOEFL exam scores, which are found here. (This is University policy and cannot be waived by the Department.)