maths statistics phd

Cornell University does not offer a separate Masters of Science (MS) degree program in the field of Statistics. Applicants interested in obtaining a masters-level degree in statistics should consider applying to Cornell's MPS Program in Applied Statistics.

Choosing a Field of Study

There are many graduate fields of study at Cornell University. The best choice of graduate field in which to pursue a degree depends on your major interests. Statistics is a subject that lies at the interface of theory, applications, and computing. Statisticians must therefore possess a broad spectrum of skills, including expertise in statistical theory, study design, data analysis, probability, computing, and mathematics. Statisticians must also be expert communicators, with the ability to formulate complex research questions in appropriate statistical terms, explain statistical concepts and methods to their collaborators, and assist them in properly communicating their results. If the study of statistics is your major interest then you should seriously consider applying to the Field of Statistics.

There are also several related fields that may fit even better with your interests and career goals. For example, if you are mainly interested in mathematics and computation as they relate to modeling genetics and other biological processes (e.g, protein structure and function, computational neuroscience, biomechanics, population genetics, high throughput genetic scanning), you might consider the Field of Computational Biology . You may wish to consider applying to the Field of Electrical and Computer Engineering if you are interested in the applications of probability and statistics to signal processing, data compression, information theory, and image processing. Those with a background in the social sciences might wish to consider the Field of Industrial and Labor Relations with a major or minor in the subject of Economic and Social Statistics. Strong interest and training in mathematics or probability might lead you to choose the Field of Mathematics . Lastly, if you have a strong mathematics background and an interest in general problem-solving techniques (e.g., optimization and simulation) or applied stochastic processes (e.g., mathematical finance, queuing theory, traffic theory, and inventory theory) you should consider the Field of Operations Research .

Residency Requirements

Students admitted to PhD program must be "in residence" for at least four semesters, although it is generally expected that a PhD will require between 8 and 10 semesters to complete. The chair of your Special Committee awards one residence unit after the satisfactory completion of each semester of full-time study. Fractional units may be awarded for unsatisfactory progress.

Your Advisor and Special Committee

The Director of Graduate Studies is in charge of general issues pertaining to graduate students in the field of Statistics. Upon arrival, a temporary Special Committee is also declared for you, consisting of the Director of Graduate Studies (chair) and two other faculty members in the field of Statistics. This temporary committee shall remain in place until you form your own Special Committee for the purposes of writing your doctoral dissertation. The chair of your Special Committee serves as your primary academic advisor; however, you should always feel free to contact and/or chat with any of the graduate faculty in the field of Statistics.

The formation of a Special Committee for your dissertation research should serve your objective of writing the best possible dissertation. The Graduate School requires that this committee contain at least three members that simultaneously represent a certain combination of subjects and concentrations. The chair of the committee is your principal dissertation advisor and always represents a specified concentration within the subject & field of Statistics. The Graduate School additionally requires PhD students to have at least two minor subjects represented on your special committee. For students in the field of Statistics, these remaining two members must either represent (i) a second concentration within the subject of Statistics, and one external minor subject; or, (ii) two external minor subjects. Each minor advisor must agree to serve on your special committee; as a result, the identification of these minor members should occur at least 6 months prior to your A examination.

Some examples of external minors include Computational Biology, Demography, Computer Science, Economics, Epidemiology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Operations Research. The declaration of an external minor entails selecting (i) a field other than Statistics in which to minor; (ii) a subject & concentration within the specified field; and, (iii) a minor advisor representing this field/subject/concentration that will work with you in setting the minor requirements. Typically, external minors involve gaining knowledge in 3-5 graduate courses in the specified field/subject, though expectations can vary by field and even by the choice of advisor. While any choice of external minor subject is technically acceptable, the requirement that the minor representative serve on your Special Committee strongly suggests that the ideal choice(s) should share some natural connection with your choice of dissertation topic.

The fields, subjects and concentrations represented on your committee must be officially recognized by the Graduate School ; the Degrees, Subjects & Concentrations tab listed under each field of study provides this information. Information on the concentrations available for committee members chosen to represent the subject of Statistics can be found on the Graduate School webpage . 

Statistics PhD Travel Support

The Department of Statistics and Data Science has established a fund for professional travel for graduate students. The intent of the Department is to encourage travel that enhances the Statistics community at Cornell by providing funding for graduate students in statistics that will be presenting at conferences. Please review the Graduate Student Travel Award Policy website for more information. 

Completion of the PhD Degree

In addition to the specified residency requirements, students must meet all program requirements as outlined in Program Course Requirements and Timetables and Evaluations and Examinations, as well as complete a doctoral dissertation approved by your Special Committee. The target time to PhD completion is between 4 and 5 years; the actual time to completion varies by student.

Students should consult both the Guide to Graduate Study and Code of Legislation of the Graduate Faculty (available at www.gradschool.cornell.edu ) for further information on all academic and procedural matters pertinent to pursuing a graduate degree at Cornell University.

The Ph.D. in Mathematics, with a Specialization in Statistics is designed to provide a student with solid training in statistical theory and methodology that find broad application in various areas of scientific research including natural, biomedical and social sciences, as well as engineering, finance, business management and government regulations. It aims to produce future researchers in contemporary statistics, both in academia and industry, who will contribute to satisfy the tremendous need for new statistics theory and methodology following the rapid growth of computing power, high throughput technology, and the explosion of digital data acquisition technologies.

Prospective students must apply to the  Ph.D. program in Mathematics  and select "Statistics" in the "Current Area of Interest" section of their on line application (this means the person is applying the Specialization in Statistics degree). Demonstration of computer literacy is highly desired; knowledge of a programming language such as Perl or C, and knowledge of a statistical computing package such as SAS, R, S-PLUS or STATA are also desirable. The program may admit students without this level of preparation with the understanding that the student will promptly make up any deficiencies by taking additional courses upon entering the program.

Program Requirements for the Specialization in Statistics

• The specialization requires completion of 72 units before advancement to Ph.D. candidacy.
• Full-time students are required to register for a minimum of twelve (12) units every quarter, eight (8) of which must be graduate-level mathematics courses taken for a letter grade only.
• MATH 280A-B-C (Probability Theory)
• MATH 281A-B-C (Mathematical Statistics)
• MATH 282A-B (Applied Statistics)
• MATH 287A (Time Series Analysis)
• MATH 287B (Multivariate Analysis)
• MATH 287C (Advanced Time Series Analysis)
• MATH 287D (Statistical Learning)
• MATH 202A (Applied Algebra I)
• MATH 240A-B-C (Real Analysis)
• MATH 241A-B (Functional Analysis)
• MATH 261A-B-C (Probabilistic Combinatorics and Algorithms)
• MATH 270A-B (Numerical Analysis)
• MATH 271A-B-C (Numerical Optimization)
• MATH 283 (Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics)
• MATH 285 (Stochastic Processes)
• MATH 289A-B (Topics in Probability and Statistics)
• MATH 294 (The Mathematics of Finance)
• Candidates must acquire experience in statistical consulting and the practical analysis of data. To meet this requirement, students must participate in the MathStorm graduate student consulting seminar for one year. A project outside the consulting seminar can be substituted only if prior approval is obtained from the director of the consulting seminar and the student's advisor. Students should complete at least five quarters of coursework before taking the consulting seminar and are encouraged to fulfill the requirement in their third or fourth year.
• Students must pass two written qualifying exams. One of the required exams is in Mathematical Statistics (MATH 281A-B-C) the other is recommended to be in Real Analysis (MATH 240A-B-C). At least one of the exams should be passed at the Ph.D. level, and both exams should be passed at the provisional doctoral level or better.
• At least one of the exams should be passed at the provisional doctoral level before the start of the second year and both passed before the start of the third year, for the student to remain in the Ph.D. program.
• Before the start of the third year, the student is required to take Applied Statistics (MATH 282A-B) and pass the comprehensive exam in this subject.
• No foreign language requirement.

Advancement to Candidacy

It is expected that by the end of the third year (9 quarters), students should have a field of research chosen and a faculty member willing to direct and guide them. A student will advance to candidacy after successfully passing the oral qualifying examination, which deals primarily with the area of research proposed but may include the project itself. This examination is conducted by the student's appointed doctoral committee. Based on their recommendation, a student advances to candidacy and is awarded the C. Phil. degree.

Dissertation and Final Defense

Students participating in the Ph.D. in Mathematics with a Specialization in Statistics must complete a dissertation and final defense that meets all requirements for the regular Ph.D. in mathematics.

Students who wish to switch between the regular Ph.D. program in Mathematics and the Specialization in Statistics must submit a written request to the graduate vice chair for consideration. Approval is not automatic, however.

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PhD Program information

The Statistics PhD program is rigorous, yet welcoming to students with interdisciplinary interests and different levels of preparation. Students in the PhD program take core courses on the theory and application of probability and statistics during their first year. The second year typically includes additional course work and a transition to research leading to a dissertation. PhD thesis topics are diverse and varied, reflecting the scope of faculty research interests. Many students are involved in interdisciplinary research. Students may also have the option to pursue a designated emphasis (DE) which is an interdisciplinary specialization:  Designated Emphasis in Computational and Genomic Biology ,  Designated Emphasis in Computational Precision Health ,  Designated Emphasis in Computational and Data Science and Engineering . The program requires four semesters of residence.

Normal progress entails:

Year 1 . Perform satisfactorily in preliminary coursework. In the summer, students are required to embark on a short-term research project, internship, graduate student instructorship, reading course, or on another research activity. Years 2-3 . Continue coursework. Find a thesis advisor and an area for the oral qualifying exam. Formally choose a chair for qualifying exam committee, who will also serve as faculty mentor separate from the thesis advisor.  Pass the oral qualifying exam and advance to candidacy by the end of Year 3. Present research at BSTARS each year. Years 4-5 . Finish the thesis and give a lecture based on it in a department seminar.

Program Requirements

• Qualifying Exam

Course work and evaluation

Preliminary stage: the first year.

Effective Fall 2019, students are expected to take four semester-long courses for a letter grade during their first year which should be selected from the core first-year PhD courses offered in the department: Probability (204/205A, 205B,), Theoretical Statistics (210A, 210B), and Applied Statistics (215A, 215B). These requirements can be altered by a member of the PhD Program Committee (in consultation with the faculty mentor and by submitting a graduate student petition ) in the following cases:

• Students primarily focused on probability will be allowed to substitute one semester of the four required semester-long courses with an appropriate course from outside the department.
• Students may request to postpone one semester of the core PhD courses and complete it in the second year, in which case they must take a relevant graduate course in their first year in its place. In all cases, students must complete the first year requirements in their second year as well as maintain the overall expectations of second year coursework, described below. Some examples in which such a request might be approved are described in the course guidance below.
• Students arriving with advanced standing, having completed equivalent coursework at another institution prior to joining the program, may be allowed to take other relevant graduate courses at UC Berkeley to satisfy some or all of the first year requirements

Requirements on course work beyond the first year

Students entering the program before 2022 are required to take five additional graduate courses beyond the four required in the first year, resulting in a total of nine graduate courses required for completion of their PhD. In their second year, students are required to take three graduate courses, at least two of them from the department offerings, and in their third year, they are required to take at least two graduate courses. Students are allowed to change the timing of these five courses with approval of their faculty mentor. Of the nine required graduate courses, students are required to take for credit a total of 24 semester hours of courses offered by the Statistics department numbered 204-272 inclusive. The Head Graduate Advisor (in consultation with the faculty mentor and after submission of a graduate student petition) may consent to substitute courses at a comparable level in other disciplines for some of these departmental graduate courses. In addition, the HGA may waive part of this unit requirement.

Starting with the cohort entering in the 2022-23 academic year , students are required to take at least three additional graduate courses beyond the four required in the first year, resulting in a total of seven graduate courses required for completion of their PhD. Of the seven required graduate courses, five of these courses must be from courses offered by the Statistics department and numbered 204-272, inclusive. With these reduced requirements, there is an expectation of very few waivers from the HGA. We emphasize that these are minimum requirements, and we expect that students will take additional classes of interest, for example on a S/U basis, to further their breadth of knowledge. 

For courses to count toward the coursework requirements students must receive at least a B+ in the course (courses taken S/U do not count, except for STAT 272 which is only offered S/U).  Courses that are research credits, directed study, reading groups, or departmental seminars do not satisfy coursework requirements (for courses offered by the Statistics department the course should be numbered 204-272 to satisfy the requirements). Upper-division undergraduate courses in other departments can be counted toward course requirements with the permission of the Head Graduate Advisor. This will normally only be approved if the courses provide necessary breadth in an application area relevant to the student’s thesis research.

First year course work: For the purposes of satisfactory progression in the first year, grades in the core PhD courses are evaluated as: A+: Excellent performance in PhD program A: Good performance in PhD program A-: Satisfactory performance B+: Performance marginal, needs improvement B: Unsatisfactory performance First year and beyond: At the end of each year, students must meet with his or her faculty mentor to review their progress and assess whether the student is meeting expected milestones. The result of this meeting should be the completion of the student’s annual review form, signed by the mentor ( available here ). If the student has a thesis advisor, the thesis advisor must also sign the annual review form.

Guidance on choosing course work

Choice of courses in the first year: Students enrolling in the fall of 2019 or later are required to take four semesters of the core PhD courses, at least three of which must be taken in their first year. Students have two options for how to schedule their four core courses:

• Option 1 -- Complete Four Core Courses in 1st year: In this option, students would take four core courses in the first year, usually finishing the complete sequence of two of the three sequences.  Students following this option who are primarily interested in statistics would normally take the 210A,B sequence (Theoretical Statistics) and then one of the 205A,B sequence (Probability) or the 215A,B sequence (Applied Statistics), based on their interests, though students are allowed to mix and match, where feasible. Students who opt for taking the full 210AB sequence in the first year should be aware that 210B requires some graduate-level probability concepts that are normally introduced in 205A (or 204).
• Option 2 -- Postponement of one semester of a core course to the second year: In this option, students would take three of the core courses in the first year plus another graduate course, and take the remaining core course in their second year. An example would be a student who wanted to take courses in each of the three sequences. Such a student could take the full year of one sequence and the first semester of another sequence in the first year, and the first semester of the last sequence in the second year (e.g. 210A, 215AB in the first year, and then 204 or 205A in the second year). This would also be a good option for students who would prefer to take 210A and 215A in their first semester but are concerned about their preparation for 210B in the spring semester.  Similarly, a student with strong interests in another discipline, might postpone one of the spring core PhD courses to the second year in order to take a course in that discipline in the first year.  Students who are less mathematically prepared might also be allowed to take the upper division (under-graduate) courses Math 104 and/or 105 in their first year in preparation for 205A and/or 210B in their second year. Students who wish to take this option should consult with their faculty mentor, and then must submit a graduate student petition to the PhD Committee to request permission for  postponement. Such postponement requests will be generally approved for only one course. At all times, students must take four approved graduate courses for a letter grade in their first year.

After the first year: Students with interests primarily in statistics are expected to take at least one semester of each of the core PhD sequences during their studies. Therefore at least one semester (if not both semesters) of the remaining core sequence would normally be completed during the second year. The remaining curriculum for the second and third years would be filled out with further graduate courses in Statistics and with courses from other departments. Students are expected to acquire some experience and proficiency in computing. Students are also expected to attend at least one departmental seminar per week. The precise program of study will be decided in consultation with the student’s faculty mentor.

Remark. Stat 204 is a graduate level probability course that is an alternative to 205AB series that covers probability concepts most commonly found in the applications of probability. It is not taught all years, but does fulfill the requirements of the first year core PhD courses. Students taking Stat 204, who wish to continue in Stat 205B, can do so (after obtaining the approval of the 205B instructor), by taking an intensive one month reading course over winter break.

Designated Emphasis: Students with a Designated Emphasis in Computational and Genomic Biology or Designated Emphasis in Computational and Data Science and Engineering should, like other statistics students, acquire a firm foundation in statistics and probability, with a program of study similar to those above. These programs have additional requirements as well. Interested students should consult with the graduate advisor of these programs. 

Starting in the Fall of 2019, PhD students are required in their first year to take four semesters of the core PhD courses. Students intending to specialize in Probability, however, have the option to substitute an advanced mathematics class for one of these four courses. Such students will thus be required to take Stat 205A/B in the first year,  at least one of Stat 210A/B or Stat 215A/B in the first year, in addition to an advanced mathematics course. This substitute course will be selected in consultation with their faculty mentor, with some possible courses suggested below. Students arriving with advanced coursework equivalent to that of 205AB can obtain permission to substitute in other advanced probability and mathematics coursework during their first year, and should consult with the PhD committee for such a waiver.

During their second and third years, students with a probability focus are expected to take advanced probability courses (e.g., Stat 206 and Stat 260) to fulfill the coursework requirements that follow the first year. Students are also expected to attend at least one departmental seminar per week, usually the probability seminar. If they are not sufficiently familiar with measure theory and functional analysis, then they should take one or both of Math 202A and Math 202B. Other recommended courses from the department of Mathematics or EECS include:

Math 204, 222 (ODE, PDE) Math 205 (Complex Analysis) Math 258 (Classical harmonic analysis) EE 229 (Information Theory and Coding) CS 271 (Randomness and computation)

The Qualifying Examination 

The oral qualifying examination is meant to determine whether the student is ready to enter the research phase of graduate studies. It consists of a 50-minute lecture by the student on a topic selected jointly by the student and the thesis advisor. The examination committee consists of at least four faculty members to be approved by the department.  At least two members of the committee must consist of faculty from the Statistics and must be members of the Academic Senate. The chair must be a member of the student’s degree-granting program.

Qualifying Exam Chair. For qualifying exam committees formed in the Fall of 2019 or later, the qualifying exam chair will also serve as the student’s departmental mentor, unless a student already has two thesis advisors. The student must select a qualifying exam chair and obtain their agreement to serve as their qualifying exam chair and faculty mentor. The student's prospective thesis advisor cannot chair the examination committee. Selection of the chair can be done well in advance of the qualifying exam and the rest of the qualifying committee, and because the qualifying exam chair also serves as the student’s departmental mentor (unless the student has co-advisors), the chair is expected to be selected by the beginning of the third year or at the beginning of the semester of the qualifying exam, whichever comes earlier. For more details regarding the selection of the Qualifying Exam Chair, see the "Mentoring" tab.  

Paperwork and Application. Students at the point of taking a qualifying exam are assumed to have already found a thesis advisor and to should have already submitted the internal departmental form to the Graduate Student Services Advisor ( found here ).  Selection of a qualifying exam chair requires that the faculty member formally agree by signing the internal department form ( found here ) and the student must submit this form to the Graduate Student Services Advisor.  In order to apply to take the exam, the student must submit the Application for the Qualifying Exam via CalCentral at least three weeks prior to the exam. If the student passes the exam, they can then officially advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. If the student fails the exam, the committee may vote to allow a second attempt. Regulations of the Graduate Division permit at most two attempts to pass the oral qualifying exam. After passing the exam, the student must submit the Application for Candidacy via CalCentral .

The Doctoral Thesis

The Ph.D. degree is granted upon completion of an original thesis acceptable to a committee of at least three faculty members. The majority or at least half of the committee must consist of faculty from Statistics and must be members of the Academic Senate. The thesis should be presented at an appropriate seminar in the department prior to filing with the Dean of the Graduate Division. See Alumni if you would like to view thesis titles of former PhD Students.

Graduate Division offers various resources, including a workshop, on how to write a thesis, from beginning to end. Requirements for the format of the thesis are rather strict. For workshop dates and guidelines for submitting a dissertation, visit the Graduate Division website.

Students who have advanced from candidacy (i.e. have taken their qualifying exam and submitted the advancement to candidacy application) must have a joint meeting with their QE chair and their PhD advisor to discuss their thesis progression; if students are co-advised, this should be a joint meeting with their co-advisors. This annual review is required by Graduate Division.  For more information regarding this requirement, please see  https://grad.berkeley.edu/ policy/degrees-policy/#f35- annual-review-of-doctoral- candidates .

Teaching Requirement

For students enrolled in the graduate program before Fall 2016, students are required to serve as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) for a minimum of 20 hours (equivalent to a 50% GSI appointment) during a regular academic semester by the end of their third year in the program.

Effective with the Fall 2016 entering class, students are required to serve as a GSI for a minimum of two 50% GSI appointment during the regular academic semesters prior to graduation (20 hours a week is equivalent to a 50% GSI appointment for a semester) for Statistics courses numbered 150 and above. Exceptions to this policy are routinely made by the department.

Each spring, the department hosts an annual conference called BSTARS . Both students and industry alliance partners present research in the form of posters and lightning talks. All students in their second year and beyond are required to present a poster at BSTARS each year. This requirement is intended to acclimate students to presenting their research and allow the department generally to see the fruits of their research. It is also an opportunity for less advanced students to see examples of research of more senior students. However, any students who do not yet have research to present can be exempted at the request of their thesis advisor (or their faculty mentors if an advisor has not yet been determined).

Mentoring for PhD Students

Initial Mentoring: PhD students will be assigned a faculty mentor in the summer before their first year. This faculty mentor at this stage is not expected to be the student’s PhD advisor nor even have research interests that closely align with the student. The job of this faculty mentor is primarily to advise the student on how to find a thesis advisor and in selecting appropriate courses, as well as other degree-related topics such as applying for fellowships.  Students should meet with their faculty mentors twice a semester. This faculty member will be the designated faculty mentor for the student during roughly their first two years, at which point students will find a qualifying exam chair who will take over the role of mentoring the student.

Research-focused mentoring : Once students have found a thesis advisor, that person will naturally be the faculty member most directly overseeing the student’s progression. However, students will also choose an additional faculty member to serve as a the chair of their qualifying exam and who will also serve as a faculty mentor for the student and as a member of his/her thesis committee. (For students who have two thesis advisors, however, there is not an additional faculty mentor, and the quals chair does NOT serve as the faculty mentor).

The student will be responsible for identifying and asking a faculty member to be the chair of his/her quals committee. Students should determine their qualifying exam chair either at the beginning of the semester of the qualifying exam or in the fall semester of the third year, whichever is earlier. Students are expected to have narrowed in on a thesis advisor and research topic by the fall semester of their third year (and may have already taken qualifying exams), but in the case where this has not happened, such students should find a quals chair as soon as feasible afterward to serve as faculty mentor.

Students are required to meet with their QE chair once a semester during the academic year. In the fall, this meeting will generally be just a meeting with the student and the QE chair, but in the spring it must be a joint meeting with the student, the QE chair, and the PhD advisor. If students are co-advised, this should be a joint meeting with their co-advisors.

If there is a need for a substitute faculty mentor (e.g. existing faculty mentor is on sabbatical or there has been a significant shift in research direction), the student should bring this to the attention of the PhD Committee for assistance.

PhD Student Forms:

Important milestones: .

Each of these milestones is not complete until you have filled out the requisite form and submitted it to the GSAO. If you are not meeting these milestones by the below deadline, you need to meet with the Head Graduate Advisor to ask for an extension. Otherwise, you will be in danger of not being in good academic standing and being ineligible for continued funding (including GSI or GSR appointments, and many fellowships). 

†Students who are considering a co-advisor, should have at least one advisor formally identified by the end of the second year; the co-advisor should be identified by the end of the fall semester of the 3rd year in lieu of finding a Research Mentor/QE Chair.

Expected Progress Reviews: 

* These meetings do not need to be held in the semester that you take your Qualifying Exam, since the relevant people should be members of your exam committee and will discuss your research progress during your qualifying exam

** If you are being co-advised by someone who is not your primary advisor because your primary advisor cannot be your sole advisor, you should be meeting with that person like a research mentor, if not more frequently, to keep them apprised of your progress. However, if both of your co-advisors are leading your research (perhaps independently) and meeting with you frequently throughout the semester, you do not need to give a fall research progress report.

Graduate Student Handbook (Coming Soon: New Graduate Student Handbook)

Phd program overview.

The PhD program prepares students for research careers in probability and statistics in academia and industry. Students admitted to the PhD program earn the MA and MPhil along the way. The first year of the program is spent on foundational courses in theoretical statistics, applied statistics, and probability. In the following years, students take advanced topics courses. Research toward the dissertation typically begins in the second year. Students also have opportunities to take part in a wide variety of projects involving applied probability or applications of statistics.

Students are expected to register continuously until they distribute and successfully defend their dissertation. Our core required and elective curricula in Statistics, Probability, and Machine Learning aim to provide our doctoral students with advanced learning that is both broad and focused. We expect our students to make Satisfactory Academic Progress in their advanced learning and research training by meeting the following program milestones through courseworks, independent research, and dissertation research:

By the end of year 1: passing the qualifying exams;

By the end of year 2: fulfilling all course requirements for the MA degree and finding a dissertation advisor;

By the end of year 3: passing the oral exam (dissertation prospectus) and fulfilling all requirements for the MPhil degree

By the end of year 5: distributing and defending the dissertation.

We believe in the Professional Development value of active participation in intellectual exchange and pedagogical practices for future statistical faculty and researchers. Students are required to serve as teaching assistants and present research during their training. In addition, each student is expected to attend seminars regularly and participate in Statistical Practicum activities before graduation.

We provide in the following sections a comprehensive collection of the PhD program requirements and milestones. Also included are policies that outline how these requirements will be enforced with ample flexibility. Questions on these requirements should be directed to ADAA Cindy Meekins at [email protected] and the DGS, Professor John Cunningham at [email protected] .

Applications for Admission

• Our students receive very solid training in all aspects of modern statistics. See Graduate Student Handbook for more information.
• Our students receive Fellowship and full financial support for the entire duration of their PhD. See more details here .
• Our students receive job offers from top academic and non-academic institutions .
• Our students can work with world-class faculty members from Statistics Department or the Data Science Institute .
• Our students have access to high-speed computer clusters for their ambitious, computationally demanding research.
• Our students benefit from a wide range of seminars, workshops, and Boot Camps organized by our department and the data science institute .
• Suggested Prerequisites: A student admitted to the PhD program normally has a background in linear algebra and real analysis, and has taken a few courses in statistics, probability, and programming. Students who are quantitatively trained or have substantial background/experience in other scientific disciplines are also encouraged to apply for admission.
• GRE requirement: Waived for Fall 2024.
• Language requirement: The English Proficiency Test requirement (TOEFL) is a Provost's requirement that cannot be waived.
• The Columbia GSAS minimum requirements for TOEFL and IELTS are: 100 (IBT), 600 (PBT) TOEFL, or 7.5 IELTS. To see if this requirement can be waived for you, please check the frequently asked questions below.
• Deadline: Jan 8, 2024 .
• Application process: Please apply by completing the Application for Admission to the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences .
• Timeline: P.hD students begin the program in September only.  Admissions decisions are made in mid-March of each year for the Fall semester.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the application deadline? What is the deadline for financial aid? Our application deadline is January 5, 2024 .
• Can I meet with you in person or talk to you on the phone? Unfortunately given the high number of applications we receive, we are unable to meet or speak with our applicants.
• What are the required application materials? Specific admission requirements for our programs can be found here .
• Due to financial hardship, I cannot pay the application fee, can I still apply to your program? Yes. Many of our prospective students are eligible for fee waivers. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers a variety of application fee waivers . If you have further questions regarding the waiver please contact  gsas-admissions@ columbia.edu .
• How many students do you admit each year? It varies year to year. We finalize our numbers between December - early February.
• What is the distribution of students currently enrolled in your program? (their background, GPA, standard tests, etc)? Unfortunately, we are unable to share this information.
• How many accepted students receive financial aid? All students in the PhD program receive, for up to five years, a funding package consisting of tuition, fees, and a stipend. These fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success; they are contingent upon the student remaining in good academic standing. Summer support, while not guaranteed, is generally provided. Teaching and research experience are considered important aspects of the training of graduate students. Thus, graduate fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship. PhD students are given funds to purchase a laptop PC, and additional computing resources are supplied for research projects as necessary. The Department also subsidizes travel expenses for up to two scientific meetings and/or conferences per year for those students selected to present. Additional matching funds from the Graduate School Arts and Sciences are available to students who have passed the oral qualifying exam.
• Can I contact the department with specific scores and get feedback on my competitiveness for the program? We receive more than 450 applications a year and there are many students in our applicant pool who are qualified for our program. However, we can only admit a few top students. Before seeing the entire applicant pool, we cannot comment on admission probabilities.
• What is the minimum GPA for admissions? While we don’t have a GPA threshold, we will carefully review applicants’ transcripts and grades obtained in individual courses.
• Is there a minimum GRE requirement? No. The general GRE exam is waived for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. 
• Can I upload a copy of my GRE score to the application? Yes, but make sure you arrange for ETS to send the official score to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
• Is the GRE math subject exam required? No, we do not require the GRE math subject exam.
• What is the minimum TOEFL or IELTS  requirement? The Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences minimum requirements for TOEFL and IELTS are: 100 (IBT), 600 (PBT) TOEFL, or 7.5 IELTS
•  I took the TOEFL and IELTS more than two years ago; is my score valid? Scores more than two years old are not accepted. Applicants are strongly urged to make arrangements to take these examinations early in the fall and before completing their application.
• I am an international student and earned a master’s degree from a US university. Can I obtain a TOEFL or IELTS waiver? You may only request a waiver of the English proficiency requirement from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences by submitting the English Proficiency Waiver Request form and if you meet any of the criteria described here . If you have further questions regarding the waiver please contact  gsas-admissions@ columbia.edu .
• My transcript is not in English. What should I do? You have to submit a notarized translated copy along with the original transcript.

Can I apply to more than one PhD program? You may not submit more than one PhD application to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. However, you may elect to have your application reviewed by a second program or department within the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences if you are not offered admission by your first-choice program. Please see the application instructions for a more detailed explanation of this policy and the various restrictions that apply to a second choice. You may apply concurrently to a program housed at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and to programs housed at other divisions of the University. However, since the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences does not share application materials with other divisions, you must complete the application requirements for each school.

How do I apply to a dual- or joint-degree program? The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences refers to these programs as dual-degree programs. Applicants must complete the application requirements for both schools. Application materials are not shared between schools. Students can only apply to an established dual-degree program and may not create their own.

With the sole exception of approved dual-degree programs , students may not pursue a degree in more than one Columbia program concurrently, and may not be registered in more than one degree program at any institution in the same semester. Enrollment in another degree program at Columbia or elsewhere while enrolled in a Graduate School of Arts and Sciences master's or doctoral program is strictly prohibited by the Graduate School. Violation of this policy will lead to the rescission of an offer of admission, or termination for a current student.

When will I receive a decision on my application? Notification of decisions for all PhD applicants generally takes place by the end of March.

Notification of MA decisions varies by department and application deadlines. Some MA decisions are sent out in early spring; others may be released as late as mid-August.

Can I apply to both MA Statistics and PhD statistics simultaneously?  For any given entry term, applicants may elect to apply to up to two programs—either one PhD program and one MA program, or two MA programs—by submitting a single (combined) application to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.  Applicants who attempt to submit more than one Graduate School of Arts and Sciences application for the same entry term will be required to withdraw one of the applications.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences permits applicants to be reviewed by a second program if they do not receive an offer of admission from their first-choice program, with the following restrictions:

• This option is only available for fall-term applicants.
• Applicants will be able to view and opt for a second choice (if applicable) after selecting their first choice. Applicants should not submit a second application. (Note: Selecting a second choice will not affect the consideration of your application by your first choice.)
• Applicants must upload a separate Statement of Purpose and submit any additional supporting materials required by the second program. Transcripts, letters, and test scores should only be submitted once.
• An application will be forwarded to the second-choice program only after the first-choice program has completed its review and rendered its decision. An application file will not be reviewed concurrently by both programs.
• Programs may stop considering second-choice applications at any time during the season; Graduate School of Arts and Sciences cannot guarantee that your application will receive a second review.
• What is the mailing address for your PhD admission office? Students are encouraged to apply online . Please note: Materials should not be mailed to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences unless specifically requested by the Office of Admissions. Unofficial transcripts and other supplemental application materials should be uploaded through the online application system. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Office of Admissions Columbia University  107 Low Library, MC 4303 535 West 116th Street  New York, NY 10027
• How many years does it take to pursue a PhD degree in your program? Our students usually graduate in 4‐6 years.
• Can the PhD be pursued part-time? No, all of our students are full-time students. We do not offer a part-time option.
• One of the requirements is to have knowledge of linear algebra (through the level of MATH V2020 at Columbia) and advanced calculus (through the level of MATH V1201). I studied these topics; how do I know if I meet the knowledge content requirement? We interview our top candidates and based on the information on your transcripts and your grades, if we are not sure about what you covered in your courses we will ask you during the interview.
• Can I contact faculty members to learn more about their research and hopefully gain their support? Yes, you are more than welcome to contact faculty members and discuss your research interests with them. However, please note that all the applications are processed by a central admission committee, and individual faculty members cannot and will not guarantee admission to our program.
• How do I find out which professors are taking on new students to mentor this year?  Applications are evaluated through a central admissions committee. Openings in individual faculty groups are not considered during the admissions process. Therefore, we suggest contacting the faculty members you would like to work with and asking if they are planning to take on new students.

For more information please contact us at [email protected] .

For more information please contact us at  [email protected]

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Department of Statistics

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• PhD Program

The department encourages research in both theoretical and applied statistics. Faculty members of the department have been leaders in research on a multitude of topics that include statistical inference, statistical computing and Monte-Carlo methods, analysis of missing data, causal inference, stochastic processes, multilevel models, experimental design, network models and the interface of statistics and the social, physical, and biological sciences. A unique feature of the department lies in the fact that apart from methodological research, all the faculty members are also heavily involved in applied research, developing novel methodology that can be applied to a wide array of fields like astrophysics, biology, chemistry, economics, engineering, public policy, sociology, education and many others.

Two carefully designed special courses offered to Ph.D. students form a unique feature of our program. Among these, Stat 303 equips students with the  basic skills necessary to teach statistics , as well as to be better overall statistics communicators. Stat 399 equips them with generic skills necessary for problem solving abilities.

Our Ph.D. students often receive substantial guidance from several faculty members, not just from their primary advisors, and in several settings. For example, every Ph.D. candidate who passes the qualifying exam gives a 30 minute presentation each semester (in Stat 300 ), in which the faculty ask questions and make comments. The Department recently introduced an award for Best Post-Qualifying Talk (up to two per semester), to further encourage and reward inspired research and presentations.

PhD Program Requirements

PhD Program Admissions Process

• PhD Admissions FAQ
• AM in Statistics
• Stat 300: Research in Statistics
• Stat 303: The Art and Practice of Teaching Statistics

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Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Statistics

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The Interdisciplinary PhD in Statistics (IDPS) is designed for students currently enrolled in a participating MIT doctoral program who wish to develop their understanding of 21st century statistics, using concepts of computation and data analysis as well as elements of classical statistics and probability within their chosen field of study.

Participating programs: Aeronautics & Astronautics Brain and Cognitive Sciences Economics Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Physics Political Science Social and Engineering Systems

How to join IDPS:

Doctoral students in participating programs may submit a selection form between the end of their second semester and penultimate semester in their doctoral program. Selection forms are due by the current semester add date, and students will be notified of a decision by the drop date.

Required documents include a CV, unofficial transcript, anticipated course plan and thesis proposal or statement of interest in statistics.  For access to the selection form or for further information, please contact the IDSS Academic Office at [email protected]

Graduate Departments:

MIT Statistics + Data Science Center Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 617-253-1764

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• Interdisciplinary PhD in Aero/Astro and Statistics
• Interdisciplinary PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Statistics
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• Interdisciplinary PhD in Political Science and Statistics
• Interdisciplinary PhD in Social & Engineering Systems and Statistics
• LIDS & Stats Tea
• Spring 2023
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• Fall 2019 – IDS.190 – Topics in Bayesian Modeling and Computation
• Fall 2019 – Spring 2019
• Fall 2018 and earlier

Ph.D. Program Overview

Description.

The graduate program in the field of mathematics at Cornell leads to the Ph.D. degree, which takes most students five to six years of graduate study to complete. One feature that makes the program at Cornell particularly attractive is the broad range of  interests of the faculty . The department has outstanding groups in the areas of algebra, algebraic geometry,  analysis, applied mathematics, combinatorics, dynamical systems, geometry, logic, Lie groups, number theory, probability, and topology. The field also maintains close ties with distinguished graduate programs in the fields of  applied mathematics ,  computer science ,  operations research , and  statistics .

Core Courses

A normal course load for a beginning graduate student is three courses per term. 

There are no qualifying exams, but the program requires that all students pass four courses to be selected from the six core courses. First-year students are allowed to place out of some (possibly, all) of the core courses. In order to place out of a course, students should contact the faculty member who is teaching the course during the current academic year, and that faculty member will make a decision. The minimum passing grade for the core courses is B-; no grade is assigned for placing out of a core course.

At least two core courses should be taken (or placed out) by the end of the first year. At least four core courses should be taken (or placed out) by the end of the second year (cumulative). These time requirements can be waived for students with health problems or other significant non-academic problems. They can be also waived for students who take time-consuming courses in another area (for example, CS) and who have strong support from a faculty; requests from such students should be made before the beginning of the spring semester. 

The core courses  are distributed among three main areas: analysis, algebra and topology/geometry. A student must pass at least one course from each group. All entering graduate students are encouraged to eventually take all six core courses with the option of an S/U grade for two of them. 

The six core courses are:

MATH 6110, Real Analysis

MATH 6120, Complex Analysis

MATH 6310, Algebra 1

MATH 6320, Algebra 2

MATH 6510, Introductory Algebraic Topology

MATH 6520, Differentiable Manifolds.

Students who are not ready to take some of the core courses may take MATH 4130-4140, Introduction to Analysis, and/or MATH 4330-4340, Introduction to Algebra, which are the honors versions of our core undergraduate courses.

"What is...?" Seminar

The "What Is...?" Seminar is a series of talks given by faculty in the graduate field of Mathematics. Speakers are selected by an organizing committee of graduate students. The goal of the seminar is to aid students in finding advisors.

Schedule for the "What Is...?" seminar

Special Committee

The Cornell Graduate School requires that every student selects a special committee (in particular, a thesis adviser, who is the chair or the committee) by the end of the third semester.

The emphasis in the Graduate School at Cornell is on individualized instruction and training for independent investigation. There are very few formal requirements and each student develops a program in conjunction with his or her special committee, which consists of three faculty members, some of which may be chosen from outside the field of mathematics. 

Entering students are not assigned special committees. Such students may contact any of the members on the Advising Committee if they have questions or need advice.

Current Advising Committee

Analysis / Probability / Dynamical Systems / Logic: Lionel Levine Geometry / Topology / Combinatorics: Kathryn Mann Probability / Statistics:  Philippe Sosoe Applied Mathematics Liaison: Richard Rand

Admission to Candidacy

To be admitted formally to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must pass the oral admission to candidacy examination or A exam. This must be completed before the beginning of the student's fourth year. Upon passing the A exam, the student will be awarded (at his/her request) an M.S. degree without thesis.

The admission to candidacy examination is given to determine if the student is “ready to begin work on a thesis.” The content and methods of examination are agreed on by the student and his/her special committee before the examination. The student must be prepared to answer questions on the proposed area of research, and to pass the exam, he/she must demonstrate expertise beyond just mastery of basic mathematics covered in the core graduate courses. 

To receive an advanced degree a student must fulfill the residence requirements of the Graduate School. One unit of residence is granted for successful completion of one semester of full-time study, as judged by the chair of the special committee. The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of six residence units. This is not a difficult requirement to satisfy since the program generally takes five to six years to complete. A student who has done graduate work at another institution may petition to transfer residence credit but may not receive more than two such credits.

The candidate must write a thesis that represents creative work and contains original results in that area. The research is carried on independently by the candidate under the supervision of the chairperson of the special committee. By the time of the oral admission to candidacy examination, the candidate should have selected as chairperson of the committee the faculty member who will supervise the research. When the thesis is completed, the student presents his/her results at the thesis defense or B Exam. All doctoral students take a Final Examination (the B Exam, which is the oral defense of the dissertation) upon completion of all requirements for the degree, no earlier than one month before completion of the minimum registration requirement.

Masters Degree in the Minor Field

Ph.D. students in the field of mathematics may earn a Special Master's of Science in Computer Science. Interested students must apply to the Graduate School using a form available for this purpose. To be eligible for this degree, the student must have a member representing the minor field on the special committee and pass the A-exam in the major field. The rules and the specific requirements for each master's program are explained on the referenced page.

Cornell will award at most one master's degree to any student. In particular, a student awarded a master's degree in a minor field will not be eligible for a master's degree in the major field.

Graduate Student Funding

Funding commitments made at the time of admission to the Ph.D. program are typically for a period of five years. Support in the sixth year is available by application, as needed. Support in the seventh year is only available by request from an advisor, and dependent on the availability of teaching lines. Following a policy from the Cornell Graduate School, students who require more than seven years to complete their degree shall not be funded as teaching assistants after the 14th semester.

Special Requests

Students who have special requests should first discuss them with their Ph.D. advisor (or with a field member with whom they work, if they don't have an advisor yet). If the advisor (or field faculty) supports the request, then it should be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies.  

• Graduate Studies

Ph.D. Program

The PhD program prepares students for research careers in theory and application of probability and statistics in academic and non-academic (e.g., industry, government) settings.  Students might elect to pursue either the general Statistics track of the program (the default), or one of the four specialized tracks that take advantage of UW’s interdisciplinary environment: Statistical Genetics (StatGen), Statistics in the Social Sciences (CSSS), Machine Learning and Big Data (MLBD), and Advanced Data Science (ADS). 

Admission Requirements

For application requirements and procedures, please see the graduate programs applications page .

Recommended Preparation

The Department of Statistics at the University of Washington is committed to providing a world-class education in statistics. As such, having some mathematical background is necessary to complete our core courses. This background includes linear algebra at the level of UW’s MATH 318 or 340, advanced calculus at the level of MATH 327 and 328, and introductory probability at the level of MATH 394 and 395. Real analysis at the level of UW’s MATH 424, 425, and 426 is also helpful, though not required. Descriptions of these courses can be found in the UW Course Catalog . We also recognize that some exceptional candidates will lack the needed mathematical background but succeed in our program. Admission for such applicants will involve a collaborative curriculum design process with the Graduate Program Coordinator to allow them to make up the necessary courses. 

While not a requirement, prior background in computing and data analysis is advantageous for admission to our program. In particular, programming experience at the level of UW’s CSE 142 is expected.  Additionally, our coursework assumes familiarity with a high-level programming language such as R or Python. 

Graduation Requirements 

This is a summary of the department-specific graduation requirements. For additional details on the department-specific requirements, please consult the  Ph.D. Student Handbook .  For previous versions of the Handbook, please contact the Graduate Student Advisor .  In addition, please see also the University-wide requirements at  Instructions, Policies & Procedures for Graduate Students  and  UW Doctoral Degrees .  

General Statistics Track

• Core courses: Advanced statistical theory (STAT 581, STAT 582 and STAT 583), statistical methodology (STAT 570 and STAT 571), statistical computing (STAT 534), and measure theory (either STAT 559 or MATH 574-575-576).  
• Elective courses: A minimum of four approved 500-level classes that form a coherent set, as approved in writing by the Graduate Program Coordinator.  A list of elective courses that have already been pre-approved or pre-denied can be found here .
• M.S. Theory Exam: The syllabus of the exam is available here .
• Research Prelim Exam. Requires enrollment in STAT 572. 
• Consulting.  Requires enrollment in STAT 599. 
• Applied Data Analysis Project.  Requires enrollment in 3 credits of STAT 597. 
• Statistics seminar participation: Students must attend the Statistics Department seminar and enroll in STAT 590 for at least 8 quarters. 
• Teaching requirement: All Ph.D. students must satisfactorily serve as a Teaching Assistant for at least one quarter. 
• General Exam. 
• Dissertation Credits.  A minimum of 27 credits of STAT 800, spread over at least three quarters. 
• Passage of the Dissertation Defense. 

Statistical Genetics (StatGen) Track

Students pursuing the Statistical Genetics (StatGen) Ph.D. track are required to take BIOST/STAT 550 and BIOST/STAT 551, GENOME 562 and GENOME 540 or GENOME 541. These courses may be counted as the four required Ph.D.-level electives. Additionally, students are expected to participate in the Statistical Genetics Seminar (BIOST581) in addition to participating in the statistics seminar (STAT 590). Finally, students in the Statistics Statistical Genetics Ph.D. pathway may take STAT 516-517 instead of STAT 570-571 for their Statistical Methodology core requirement. This is a transcriptable program option, i.e., the fact that the student completed the requirements will be noted in their transcript.

Statistics in the Social Sciences (CSSS) Track

Students in the Statistics in the Social Sciences (CSSS) Ph.D. track  are required to take four numerically graded 500-level courses, including at least two CSSS courses or STAT courses cross-listed with CSSS, and at most two discipline-specific social science courses that together form a coherent program of study. Additionally, students must complete at least three quarters of participation (one credit per quarter) in the CS&SS seminar (CSSS 590). This is not a transcriptable option, i.e., the fact that the student completed the requirements will not be noted in their transcript.

Machine Learning and Big Data Track

Students in the Machine Learning and Big Data (MLBD) Ph.D. track are required to take the following courses: one foundational machine learning course (STAT 535), one advanced machine learning course (either STAT 538 or STAT 548 / CSE 547), one breadth course (either on databases, CSE 544, or data visualization, CSE 512), and one additional elective course (STAT 538, STAT 548, CSE 515, CSE 512, CSE 544 or EE 578). At most two of these four courses may be counted as part of the four required PhD-level electives. Students pursuing this track are not required to take STAT 583 and can use STAT 571 to satisfy the Applied Data Analysis Project requirement. This is not a transcriptable option, i.e., the fact that the student completed the requirements will not be noted in their transcript. 

Advanced Data Science (ADS) Track

Students in the Advanced Data Science (ADS) Ph.D. track are required to take the same coursework as students in the Machine Learning and Big Data track. They are also not required to take STAT 583 and can use STAT 571 to satisfy the Applied Data Analysis Project requirement. The only difference in terms of requirements between the MLBD and the ADS tracks is that students in the ADS track must also register for at least 4 quarters of the weekly eScience Community Seminar (CHEM E 599). Also, unlike the MLBD track, the ADS is a transcriptable program option, i.e., the fact that the student completed the requirements will be noted in their transcript. 

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

College of natural and mathematical sciences, ms and phd programs in applied mathematics or statistics.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers graduate programs leading to the Master’s (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in both Applied Mathematics and Statistics . The department has had an active graduate program in applied mathematics since 1970. It expanded to include a full graduate program in statistics in 1984. The strength of these programs lies in its graduate faculty, who are actively engaged in research in applications of mathematics and statistics in a wide variety of real-world problems, as well as in investigations of fundamental and theoretical questions. The faculty designs and implements courses and curricula with emphasis on innovative research directed toward practical applications, as mandated by the charter from the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.

Both the Applied Mathematics and Statistics programs are intended for those students who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree and who have earned the equivalent of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mathematics, statistics or in other mathematically oriented disciplines. Students who already hold a master’s degree may apply and enter the doctoral program directly. The doctoral programs provide training suitable for employment in academia, industrial research and development organizations, as well as research-oriented government agencies. The master’s degree programs provide training in applications of mathematics and statistics in areas suitable for employment in industry or government agencies. They also can serve as preparatory steps toward advancing to a PhD program.

Please note: Applications for admission should be submitted through the Graduate School’s site at https://gradschool.umbc.edu/ . The department can only process complete applications submitted to that site.

Individuals wishing to benefit from the department’s course offerings without enrolling as degree-seeking students may do so by filing a non-degree seeking student application form. For students who do not already hold an undergraduate degree, a combined BS+MS program leading to a master’s degree in either applied mathematics or statistics is also offered by the department.

Tracks/options toward the MS degree

To serve the students’ varying range of backgrounds and goals, the department has instituted several tracks/options within its master’s degree programs, as listed below. Each track defines a set of well-focused graduation requirements. Students who intend to continue to the doctoral programs should consider the traditional tracks in Applied Mathematics or Statistics. A student whose final goal is a master’s degree in statistics may consider the applications-oriented track in statistics. Most graduate courses are offered in the late afternoon or in the evening to enable the participation of those who hold full-time employment.

• Comprehensive examination option
• Thesis option
• Traditional track with comprehensive examination option
• Traditional track with thesis option
• Applications-oriented track: Environmental Statistics with comprehensive examination option
• Applications-oriented track: Environmental Statistics with thesis option
• Applications-oriented track: Biostatistics with comprehensive examination option
• Applications-oriented track: Biostatistics with thesis option

The comprehensive examination options require taking 30 credits of courses and passing a written comprehensive examination. The thesis options requires taking 24 credits of courses plus 6 credits of master’s thesis research. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for the details.

The PhD degree programs

The department offers doctoral study in a broad spectrum of both classical and modern applied mathematics and statistics. Admission to these programs presupposes a strong background in mathematics and/or statistics. Doctoral students continue with advanced study and dissertation research, with specialization in any of the departmental fields or in an interdisciplinary area.

Particular emphasis is given to the following areas in applied mathematics: differential equations and applications, numerical analysis and scientific computation, dynamical systems, stochastic processes, mathematical biology, optimization theory and algorithms.

In statistics, the areas of emphasis are: Bayesian analysis, biostatistics, data mining, design of experiments, environmental statistics, nonparametric statistics, reliability, spatial statistics and image analysis, statistical decision theory and inference, survival analysis, time series analysis.

A rough outline of the programs’ requirements is:

• Completing the course work;
• Passing the written Master’s comprehensive examination.
• Passing the written PhD qualifying examination;
• Passing the oral PhD qualifying examination;
• Admission to candidacy;
• Completing residency requirements of the university;
• Completing and successfully defending a doctoral dissertation.

Please consult the Graduate Catalog for the details of the requirements.

Policies and Procedures Handbook

The Policies and Procedures handbook describes policies and procedures pertaining to graduate students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at UMBC. It adds, expands and clarifies the requirements set forth in the Graduate Catalog, which is the Graduate School’s official manual for UMBC’s graduate students.

The focus of the handbook is on full-time students who receive financial support from the department. Many, but not all, of the policies described here apply to part-time and independently-supported students as well. If in doubt, please consult the Graduate Program Director for clarification.

Samples of Comprehensive Exams

To help students with preparing for the Master’s and PhD Comprehensive Examinations, the department makes available a selection of exams given in the past. These should give you an indication of the level of preparation expected in these exams.

Pre-application form

If you are interested in applying for admission to the graduate program in Applied Mathematics or Statistics, you may want to submit a pre-application form for a no-cost, no-obligation informal feedback about how well your educational background fits the demands of the program.

For further information regarding graduate programs in Applied Mathematics and Statistics please contact:

Dr. Andrei Draganescu Graduate Program Director Program in Applied Mathematics Phone: 410–455–3237 Email: [email protected]

Dr. DoHwan Park Graduate Program Director Program in Statistics Phone: 410–455–2408 Email: [email protected]

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PhD in Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics

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This is a three year research programme culminating in submission and examination of a single research thesis.  Students joining the course will often have completed prior study at a level comparable to our Part III (MMath/MASt) course and many have postgraduate experience.  Our students therefore begin their PhD research with a good understanding of advanced material, which they build on in various ways throughout the course of their PhD studies. Our PhD students might have written several papers before they submit their dissertation, and can go on to win academic positions at leading institutions around the world.

Structure of the PhD

Students are required to undertake a minimum of nine terms of research (i.e. three years). Students are not registered for the PhD in the first instance but are instead admitted on a probationary basis. All students are assessed for registration towards the end of their first year of full-time study (usually June). This assessment is based on a short written report submitted by the candidate for review by two assessors. In the fifth term there might also be a further assessment of progress, for which students submit a longer piece of written work and receive an oral assessment.

Research areas

The topic of the research thesis may be chosen from the wide range of subjects studied within the Department. It is expected that applicants to the PhD course will investigate the research interests and expertise of academic staff within DPMMS prior to making a formal application. This should be done by consulting the dedicated page on finding a supervisor , as well as  research pages of our website , and  individual profiles of our academic staff .

Additional training and opportunities

Whilst there are no mandatory taught components to the PhD degree, students may wish to undertake specific courses or further training to expand their knowledge, either for personal interest or to directly assist with their PhD research. All students are encouraged to participate and attend the wide range of lectures, seminars and events on offer within DPMMS and the Centre for Mathematical Sciences.

Many students submit a prize essay at the beginning of their fifth term. The best essays each year are of a scale and quality already adequate for a PhD dissertation, incorporating work already, or about to be, published. We intend that our students publish their work in leading journals. Our PhD students might have written several papers before they submit their dissertation, and can go on to win academic positions at leading institutions around the world.

DPMMS also promotes and encourages researcher development and transferable skills training. This can take the form of assisting with Part III catch-up lectures, attendance at skills based training sessions, or presenting their work at seminars and conferences. The University also offers training via the Researcher Development Programme .

There is no requirement for PhD students to teach but there are plenty of opportunities to do so, such as offering supervisions for third year undergraduates (this involves the supervisor sitting with a pair of students for an hour, discussing their work). PhD students might help too with running examples classes for Part III students.

Academic entry requirements

The usual minimum entry requirement is a first class honours degree, awarded after a four-year course in mathematics or mathematics/statistics, or a three-year degree together with a one-year postgraduate course in those areas. Part III (MMath/MASt) of the Mathemtical Tripos provides such a course and most of the PhD students in DPMMS have come through this route. The others have usually completed at least a comparable four-year undergraduate course, and many have postgraduate experience. Entry is competitive and a higher level of preparation may be required.

Funding opportunities

Applicants will be considered for Department funding. This may include a Research Council or  Heilbronn Doctoral Partnership  award. Receipt of this funding is not guaranteed and all applicants, irrespective of fee-status, are expected to apply to other funding schemes for which they are eligible. Applicants are advised to investigate potential sources of funding as early as possible.

Students should consult the Postgraduate Admissions website for details of the University Postgraduate Funding Competition. Other University wide funding opportunities can be found via the Funding Search Tool .

All applications for postgraduate study must be made via the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Office and details on the process for application and the supporting documentation required is provided on their website . It is important that applicants read all the relevant information and collate the necessary supporting documents prior to starting the application process. If you are an MMath student (i.e., Cambridge Part III student) you should include one reference from your College Director of Studies.

The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. The Department would particularly welcome applications from women, since women are, and have historically been, underrepresented in our student cohorts.

Please ensure that you use the correct course code when making your application: MAPM21

Finding a supervisor 

The topic of the research thesis may be chosen from the wide range of subjects studied within the Department. It is expected that applicants to the PhD course will investigate the research interests and expertise of academic staff within DPMMS prior to making a formal application. This should be done by consulting the  dedicated page on finding a supervisor , as well as  research pages of our website , and  individual profiles of our academic staff .

Applicants are encouraged to make informal contact with  potential supervisors  prior to making an application. Applicants should clearly state in the 'Proposed supervisor' field of the application form the name(s) of those member(s) of academic staff with whom they wish to work, and provide a clear indication of the areas or topics in which they intend to undertake research in the 'Research Summary' field. We do not currently require submission of a separate detailed research proposal.

Application and funding deadlines

We strongly encourage all applicants to apply by  12:00am (midnight) UK time on 4 January 2024.   Anyone wishing to apply after this date should contact the  DPMMS Course Administrator  before submitting an application. Students wishing to be considered for Departmental funding, or as part of the University  Postgraduate Funding Competition  must apply by this deadline. If you are a USA citizen, resident in the USA, and wish to be considered for  Gates funding,  please note the deadline for applications is in October.

Selection process

After the January closing date, we will review all the applications received and contact those who have been shortlisted to invite them for an interview. Space limitations may mean that late applications cannot be considered.

Interviews take place either in Cambridge or online. During the interview, the panel will try to ascertain the extent of the applicant's mathematical knowledge and experience. We aim to contact all interviewees within a week or two of the interview with a provisional outcome. It is important to note, however, that formal offers of admission can only be made by the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Office.

Applicants should expect to receive a decision within twelve weeks following the submission of their completed application and required supporting documents.  Applicants should check the Applicant Portal for formal notification of the outcome of their application.

Postgraduate open day

Click here for further information on the Postgraduate Open Day .

Please read our PhD applicant Frequently Asked Questions . For any enquiries not covered by the FAQs, you can email us on [email protected] .

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Applied Mathematics and Statistics, PhD

Whiting school of engineering, financial assistance.

A limited number of teaching and research assistantships providing full tuition and a competitive academic year stipend are available to qualified full-time Ph.D. candidates. Furthermore, the following special fellowships are awarded:

• The Rufus P. Isaacs Fellowship, named in honor of a late member of the faculty acclaimed for his contributions to operations research.
• The Charles and Catherine Counselman Fellowship, generously endowed by Hopkins alumnus Charles Counselman.

In addition, summer employment opportunities are often available within the university and in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.

Program Requirements

The objective of the department’s Ph.D. program is to produce graduates who are broadly educated in applied mathematics and statistics and who can work at the current frontiers of their chosen specialized disciplines. The introductory phase of graduate study acquaints the student with a spectrum of topics, provides an opportunity to fill gaps in their background, and affords a close view of the doctoral research process and of potential research areas and advisors. Continuation to advanced study and dissertation research is based upon favorable evaluation of preparedness and potential. The progress of students is evaluated at the end of every semester. The culmination of the program is the doctoral dissertation, representing an original and significant contribution to knowledge in applied mathematics.

In addition to fulfilling the university requirement of a minimum of two consecutive semesters of registration as a full-time resident graduate student, completion of academic ethics training and the responsible conduct of research course, the student must accomplish the following to obtain departmental certification for the Ph.D.:

• Pass the Introductory Examination, normally offered immediately before each semester.
• Pass the Ph.D. Candidacy Examination. This oral examination is normally taken in the third year of residency. The scope of the exam will be governed by a syllabus prepared by the student with the help of the student’s mentor or advisor.
• Pass the Graduate Board Oral Examination, normally taken in the third year of residence.
• Acquire and hone their teaching and research experience under the supervision of faculty by successfully completing either a TA or RA assignment every semester while a fulltime, resident student.
• Complete at least 12 one-semester courses of graduate work in a coherent program approved by the faculty advisor.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the utilization of computers in applied mathematics and statistics.
• Complete a program of original research and its clear exposition in a written dissertation. The dissertation must be approved by at least two faculty readers and be certified by them to be a significant contribution to knowledge and worthy of publication in scholarly journals. The candidate defends the dissertation in a public examination held under the auspices of the department.

Additional details on these items may be found on the department’s website.

Course Program

The most common way for students to gain the knowledge and skills to succeed in the Ph.D. program is through course work. In consultation with their advisor, each student will develop a program of proposed course work. The relevant courses for the Ph.D. are of three types: basic graduate-level courses, additional specialized courses appropriate to the student’s field of research, and an elective one year course selected to broaden the student in applied mathematics. To promote a well-rounded education and record, all full-time graduate students are expected to enroll in an appropriate number of courses for their stage in the program. Students are required to enroll in and attend EN.553.801 Department Seminar , every semester. Grades of B- or better (or equivalent level of performance in pass/fail courses) are expected of all department Ph.D. graduate students in their course work.

Basic Courses

All students are encouraged to master basic material in:

• probability ( EN.553.720 Probability Theory I ), statistics ( EN.553.730 Statistical Theory ), and stochastic processes ( EN.553.626 Introduction to Stochastic Processes );
• optimization ( EN.553.761 Nonlinear Optimization I );
• matrix analysis ( EN.553.792 Matrix Analysis and Linear Algebra ); and
• discrete mathematics ( EN.553.671 Combinatorial Analysis EN.553.672 Graph Theory ).

Normally, a student will have completed at least eight basic courses by the end of the fourth semester of residence.

Specialized Courses

Each student takes advanced courses appropriate to the proposed area of dissertation research, with the approval of the research advisor.

Elective Courses

Students are encouraged to take additional elective course work, either covering one area in depth or covering two areas. Typical areas in other departments are biology, econometrics, mathematical economics, mathematical ecology, computational geometry, systems theory, health systems, mathematics, facility location, psychometrics, and physics. These courses may complement or supplement the student’s previous experience, but if a student has no previous experience in an area some elementary course work may be necessary as a prerequisite to acceptable graduate level courses.

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Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics: PhD

Graduate Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics

Program Handbook

The Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics (ACMS) supports a collaborative approach to research by preparing and empowering students with deep domain knowledge in mathematics and statistics to apply their expertise in a variety of fields — opening up opportunities for them to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries and impact critical problems in the natural and social sciences, technology, and beyond.

Updated: 08/31/2023

• GRE General Test recommended but not required
• GRE Subject Test optional
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for non-native speakers of English
• Curriculum vitae
• Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution; one must show conferral of a bachelor's degree. (Due upon enrollment)
• Statement of intent
• Three letters of recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary institution required at the time of application. (Official transcript showing conferral of a bachelor's degree due upon enrollment.)

Robert Rosenbaum Director of Graduate Studies Phone: (574) 631-4407 Email: [email protected]

https://acms.nd.edu/graduate-programs/

PhD in Mathematics

The PhD in Mathematics provides training in mathematics and its applications to a broad range of disciplines and prepares students for careers in academia or industry. It offers students the opportunity to work with faculty on research over a wide range of theoretical and applied topics.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for obtaining an PhD in Mathematics can be found on the associated page of the BU Bulletin .

• Courses : The courses mentioned on the BU Bulletin page can be chosen from the graduate courses we offer here . Half may be at the MA 500 level or above, but the rest must be at the MA 700 level or above. Students can also request to use courses from other departments to satisfy some of these requirements. Please contact your advisor for more information about which courses can be used in this way. All courses must be passed with a grade of B- or higher.
• Analysis (examples include MA 711, MA 713, and MA 717)
• PDEs and Dynamical Systems (examples include MA 771, MA 775, and MA 776)
• Algebra and Number Theory (examples include MA 741, MA 742, and MA 743)
• Topology (examples include MA 721, MA 722, and MA 727)
• Geometry (examples include MA 725, MA 731, and MA 745)
• Probability and Stochastic Processes (examples include MA 779, MA 780, and MA 783)
• Applied Mathematics (examples include MA 750, MA 751, and MA 770)
• Comprehensive Examination : This exam has both a written and an oral component. The written component consists of an expository paper of typically fifteen to twenty-five pages on which the student works over a period of a few months under the guidance of the advisor. The topic of the expository paper is chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor. On completion of the paper, the student takes an oral exam given by a three-person committee, one of whom is the student’s advisor. The oral exam consists of a presentation by the student on the expository paper followed by questioning by the committee members. A student who does not pass the MA Comprehensive Examination may make a second attempt, but all students are expected to pass the exam no later than the end of the summer following their second year.
• Oral Qualifying Examination: The topics for the PhD oral qualifying exam correspond to the two semester courses taken by the student from one of the 3 subject areas and one semester course each taken by the student from the other two subject areas. In addition, the exam begins with a presentation by the student on some specialized topic relevant to the proposed thesis research. A student who does not pass the qualifying exam may make a second attempt, but all PhD students are expected to pass the exam no later than the end of the summer following their third year.
• Dissertation and Final Oral Examination: This follows the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree .

Admissions information can be found on the BU Arts and Sciences PhD Admissions website .

Financial Aid

Our department funds our PhD students through a combination of University fellowships, teaching fellowships, and faculty research grants. More information will be provided to admitted students.

More Information

Please reach out to us directly at [email protected] if you have further questions.

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PhD in Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics

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Course closed:

Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics is no longer accepting new applications.

This course is a three to four year programme culminating in the submission and examination of a single research thesis.  Students joining the course will often have completed prior study at a level comparable to our Part III (MMath/MASt) course and many have postgraduate experience. Our students, therefore, begin their PhD research with a good understanding of advanced material, which they build on in various ways throughout the course of their PhD studies.

Structure of the PhD

Students are required to undertake a minimum of nine full-time terms of research (ie three years). Students are not registered for the PhD in the first instance but are instead admitted on a probationary basis. All students are assessed for registration towards the end of their first year of full-time study (usually June). This assessment is based on a short written report which is reviewed by two assessors. In the fifth term, there may also be a further assessment of progress, for which students submit a longer piece of written work and receive an oral assessment.

Research areas

Research in DPMMS can be divided into the following broad areas: Algebra, Algebraic Geometry, Analysis and Partial Differential Equations, Combinatorics, Differential Geometry and Topology, Number Theory, Information and Finance, Probability, and Statistics. The boundaries between such areas are not rigid, however, and staff may contribute to more than one area.

Additional training and opportunities

Whilst there are no mandatory taught components to the PhD degree, students may wish to undertake specific courses or further training to expand their knowledge, either for personal interest or to directly assist with their PhD research. All students are encouraged to participate in and attend the wide range of lectures, seminars and events on offer within DPMMS and the Centre for Mathematical Sciences.

Many students submit a prize essay at the beginning of their fifth term. The best essays each year are of a scale and quality already adequate for a PhD thesis, incorporating work already, or about to be, published. We intend that our students publish their work in leading journals. Our PhD students might have written several papers before they submit their thesis, and can go on to win academic positions at leading institutions around the world.

DPMMS also promotes and encourages researcher development and transferable skills training. This can take the form of assisting with Part III preparatory workshops, attendance at skills-based training sessions, or presenting work at seminars and conferences. The University also offers training via the Researcher Development Programme .

There is no requirement for PhD students to teach but there are plenty of opportunities to do so, such as offering supervisions for third-year undergraduates (this involves the supervisor sitting with a pair of students for an hour, discussing their work). PhD students might help with running examples classes for Part III students, too.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Departments

This course is advertised in the following departments:

• Faculty of Mathematics
• Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of pure mathematics and mathematical statistics this course is advertised in multiple departments. please see the overview tab for more details., course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Funding Deadlines

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Mathematics MPhil
• Mathematics (Applied Mathematics) MASt
• Mathematics (Mathematical Statistics) MASt
• Mathematics (Pure Mathematics) MASt
• Mathematics (Theoretical Physics) MASt

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Submit your application along with your research proposal, CV, academic referee reports, academic transcripts and other supporting documents such as identification and evidence of residency status. Applications are made via the University’s online application portal.

Postgraduate program

The School of Mathematics and Statistics offers Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs leading to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Science) and Master of Philosophy (Science).

The School also offers the Master of Mathematical Sciences degree, and the units of study STAT5002 and STAT5003 form part of the Master of Information Technology .

NEW in 2024 In 2024 the Master of Data Analytics will be offered for the first time. This fully online course offers a breadth of data analytics knowledge, covering a multitude of qualitative and quantitative data research methods and their applications across industries, including business, health care, architecture, and political science.

For current and newly enrolled postgraduate students

Students should read the "School of Mathematics and Statistics higher degree by research procedures" document.

Please note that HDR candidatures and examinations of theses are managed by the HDR Administration Centre (HDRAC). To find detailed information on important matters such as:

• enrolment, research periods and census dates,
• compulsory HDR units of study: Work, Health and Safety (WHS), Responsible Research Practice, and Human Ethics,
• supervisory arrangements, in particular, requesting to change a supervisor,
• Faculty milestones: research plan, research seminar, first year report, intermediate research presentation, final research report,
• research progress: progress plan, first-year integrity check, annual progress review (APR),
• financial support for travel to attend conferences, workshops, and summer/winter schools through the Postgraduate Research Support Scheme (PRSS),
• travel insurance policy,
• requesting leave of absence or suspension from your research,
• recommencing of your studies after suspension,
• applying for an extension of candidature,
• preparation of your thesis and thesis composition,
• thesis submission procedure,
• examination process and outcomes,
• final thesis lodgement and graduation ceremony.

Degree entry requirements: Doctor of Philosophy (Science)

Applicants for a PhD (Science) program MUST hold a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney or an equivalent qualification from another university or institution. Further information about applications for admission, applications for scholarship, fees and deadlines for domestic and international students can be found on the Sydney Courses Doctor of Philosophy webpage.

Degree entry requirements: Master of Philosophy (Science)

Applicants for a MPhil (Science) program should hold a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification. Further information about applications for admission, applications for scholarship, fees and deadlines for domestic and international students can be found on the Sydney Courses Master of Philosophy webpage.

Degree entry requirements: Graduate Diploma in Science

The Graduate Diploma in Science provides an alternate entry qualification for PhD. It is identical in content to the Honours (4th year) course and is available to candidates who are not eligible to enrol in that course, usually because of their background in Mathematics or Statistics from outside the University of Sydney. Graduate Diploma is a full fee-paying course. Further information about applications and fees can be found on the Sydney Courses Graduate Diploma in Science webpage.

Scholarships

• domestic students have to submit two separate applications: the PhD/MPhil application and the scholarship application,
• international students only click the relevant box in their PhD/MPhil application.

Study abroad and student exchange

Study abroad and student exchange are the two main program options for students enrolled at international universities and looking to study at the University of Sydney as part of their degree.

• As an exchange student you remain enrolled full time at your home institution while you attend the University of Sydney. While you are in Sydney you will continue to pay your usual tuition fees and other student fees to your home institution. A student from the University of Sydney will do the same in reverse, and the result is an exchange of students and places.
• Study abroad is a separate program from student exchange and involves a student enrolling and paying fees directly to the University of Sydney. There is no reciprocal exchange agreement.

Enquiries about postgraduate study in the School should be directed to the School's Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies Associate Professor Zsuzsanna Dancso by email [email protected] .

Mathematics and Statistics at Sydney

The School of Mathematics and Statistics offers a postgraduate program that is varied and flexible, catering for students of many different backgrounds. The School supports a policy of active research and insists on the highest standards of academic achievement. At present, the School consists of four research groups: Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, Nonlinear Analysis and Pure Mathematics. The Pure Mathematics group is further divided into three subgroups: algebra, computational algebra, and analysis, geometry & topology.

The School holds regular seminars, workshops and conferences that ensure that its members stay abreast of latest developments. It also supports an active program of long term and short term visits by distinguished international academics.

The School has all the facilities of a well established and progressive teaching and research institution, including a modern library and an extensive computer network of workstations. In addition the network supports a number of high-speed processors and colour graphics systems. A wide variety of software packages is available including Magma (developed in the School), Spida, S-plus, Reduce, Mathematica and Matlab.

The School is proud of its postgraduate students. Our research students are a valuable resource and the School is committed to providing them with excellent research facilities and office space in which to work. Some financial aid is available to students to allow them to attend relevant conferences and workshops. Further support is offered in the form of part-time teaching, assignment and examination marking.

Sydney and the University

Sydney is the oldest and largest city in Australia, and the capital of New South Wales. The city has a population of over four million and operates as an international centre for commerce, finance and the arts for the Asia-Pacific region. Sydney is well known for its great natural scenic beauty, beaches and climate, as well as its high quality of life.

The University of Sydney, established in 1850, is the oldest of all the universities in Australia. It has nine colleges of residence for students and visiting scholars. It has two theatres, an art gallery, several museums and a thriving cultural life in all facets of the arts. For the physically active there is a wide range of sports facilities, including a covered full-size olympic pool, tennis and squash courts, two sporting ovals, gymnasiums, sports instructors and physiotherapists. Every effort is also made to accommodate the physically impaired.

The diversity of courses and degrees the University offers is unequalled in the country. It provides a lively and challenging environment in which to pursue all aspects of academic life.

The Australian academic year begins in late February. It is divided into two semesters with a winter break of about three weeks from mid-June through to mid-July. Coursework programs finish at the end of November.

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SoMSS Handbooks for Graduate Students - Archive

SoMSS Handbook for Graduate Students in PhD Programs

SoMSS Handbook for Graduate Students in MA Mathematics Program

SoMSS Handbook for Graduate Students in MS Statistics Program

SoMSS Handbook for Graduate Students in MS Actuarial Science Program

SEPTEMBER 2021

SoMSS Handbook for Graduate Students in PhD Programs 

Handbook for the Master of Arts in Mathematics (MA) School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SoMSS)  

Handbook for the Master of Science in Statistics (MS) School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SoMSS)  

Handbook for the Master of Science in Actuarial Science (MS) School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SoMSS)  

SoMSS Handbook for Graduate Students in PhD Programs  

Handbook for the Master of Arts in Mathematics (MA) School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SoMSS) 

Handbook for the Master of Science in Actuarial Science (MS) School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SoMSS) 

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What is Mathematics and Statistics?

• Develop attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Develop strong statistical, analytical, and computer skills
• Establish communications skills and a multicultural perspective
• Take AN 100: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology and AN 101: Introduction to Archaeology.

Middle Years

• Take AN 121: Biological Anthropology and Biological Anthropology Lab and AN 200: Language and Culture.
• Take 300-400 level anthropology courses, alongside electives in other social sciences.
• Spend a summer in field school, travel, or studying other cultures.
• Pursue research experience by working on faculty projects, independent studies, or other departmental programs.
• Take AN 454: Anthropological Theory.
• Apply to graduate.

Exploration

• Volunteer at the Archaeology Museum. Explore more volunteering opportunities at South Serves.
• Explore student organizations and leadership opportunities through Involve South.
• Explore additional training and certifications related to your career such as learning a foreign language, double majoring/minoring, or networking with industry professionals.
• Join professional associations such as the American Association of Biological Anthropologists or the American Anthropological Association, and attend conferences. 
• Develop relationships with Anthropology community partners such as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians or the Archaeological Conservancy.

Preparation

• Login to Handshake and build profile strength to 75%+.
• Contact Career Development. Meet with a career consultant to discuss career goals and research fields of specialization in anthropology. Focus on Career & Self-Development
• Prepare to apply for internships, summer jobs, or volunteer positions.
• Attend career fairs and networking events to become knowledgeable of career opportunities available. 
• Compile a portfolio of publications, skills, certifications, and ideas.
• Research careers and graduate programs in local, state, federal and international areas six months out from graduation.
• Contact Career Development for future planning assistance.

John Doe, Class of '11

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What can I do with this major?

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What skills will I earn?

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