PhD in Statistics

Prerequisites

  • Three semesters of calculus
  • Linear algebra
  • Year of mathematical statistics (equivalent to STAT 1151-1152)
  • A semester of advanced calculus

Students lacking this background can arrange to remediate it either in the first year or in the summers proceeding or following the first year.

Course and Examination Requirements

  1. A total of 72 credits is required for the PhD.
  2. Passing the PhD preliminary exam, usually given in the summer prior to the second year of graduate study. 
  3. STAT 2631, Theory of Statistics 1; STAT 2641, Asymptotic Methods in Statistics; STAT 2661, Linear Models Theory 1; STAT 2711, Probability Theory 1; STAT 2712, Probability Theory 2; or their equivalents
  4. At least 3 credits of STAT 2381, Supervised Statistical Consulting. Students anticipating a career involving consulting should take a substantial number of credits of STAT 2381.
  5. Passing the PhD comprehensive exam,   in which the student presents in an open meeting a formal presentation on his or her proposed research areas, as well as an overview of the questions to be addressed in the student's proposed research.
  6. Defend the PhD disseration. 

Dissertation Requirements

The student is required to complete a dissertation in some area of theoretical statistics, applied statistics, or probability that is an original contribution of publishable quality and must successfully defend the dissertation in an oral presentation open to the University community.