PhD in Statistics
To receive the Ph.D. degree in mathematical statistics, a student must display a high level of scholarship shown by the ability to do original research and should possess a broad knowledge of major fields of the subject. It is not necessary to obtain a master's degree before obtaining the doctorate.
Progress expected of full-time students:
| By end of: | Ideal Progress | To Maintain Support | To Remain in Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | Prepare for and pass 2 qualifying exams | Pass 12 credit hours with at least a 2.75 GPA | Pass 24 units each term with at least a 2.75 GPA |
| 2nd Year | Finish the 4 courses and choose field/advisor | Pass 1 exam by January, and pass 24 credit hours, at least 15 of which are at 600 level, with 3.0 GPA | Pass 24 units each term with at least a 3.0 GPA |
| 3rd Year | Advance to candidacy, start working on dissertation | Pass all exams and course requirements by January of 3rd year | Pass all exams and course requirements by January of 3rd year |
| 4th Year | Make good progress toward dissertation | Reach candidacy by March 1 | Pass 24 units each term with at least 3.0 GPA |
| 5th Year | Finish dissertation, publish paper(s) and apply for jobs | Make good progress toward finishing dissertation | Pass 24 units each term with at least 3.0 GPA and reach candidacy |
| 6th Year | --- | Last year of support eligibility | Have a further 4 years to complete PhD |
To convert credit hours to units:
- 899, units = 18 × credits
- 799, units = 12 × credits
- 600 level, units = 6 × credits
- 400 level, units = 4 × credits
Additional Notes:
- The time limits for support by the Mathematics Department apply even if the student is not supported by the Mathematics Department for some intervening period.
- In the absence of exceptional circumstances, students who do not pass all of their written qualifying exams by the end of the January cycle of their THIRD year will be dropped from the program.
- In some cases, upon admission, the Graduate Director can negotiate a slower timetable. Examples include part-time students, and students that would benefit from taking 400-level courses in their first year.
- Since the requirements in the Scientific Computation concentration of the AMSC program are somewhat different, there is a separate set of charts for students in this concentration.
- For students in the Applied Mathematics concentration of the AMSC program, "qualifying exam" may in some cases be replaced by its equivalent in other departments. In BMGT, this may mean two written examinations (since they only cover one semester of material each), and in CMSC this may mean "qualifying requirement".
- Please note that it is a University requirement that a student be registered during the semester that they plan on completing their degree/graduating.
- Here is a great resource for students to keep track of their credits.
