Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Students intending to pursue the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) enter our program with Bachelor’s degrees and Master’s degrees from a variety of disciplines. Students entering the PhD program with less background in statistical methods and theory than what is provided by our core Master of Science in Statistics program are advised to take courses from the MS core to prepare for PhD-level study.  In addition to the prerequisites listed on the MS Requirements page, we strongly recommend at least one semester of real analysis.

The PhD degree requires 72 credits beyond the Bachelor’s degree, with at least half of those, including all research credits, earned from Iowa State University. In addition to the PhD core courses, the Program of Study must include at least five 5000- or 6000-level statistics courses, with at least three of those at the 6000 level and selected from an approved list of 6000-level electives. The 72 total credits should include at least 18 hours of research. Students take a written qualifying examination, an oral preliminary examination, write a dissertation containing original research in statistics, and pass a final oral examination.

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Learning Outcomes: Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics

  1. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of advanced statistical methods and theory, including probability, mathematical statistics, and the construction of probability-based models for complex data.
  2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of scholarly literature in statistics and an ability to critically evaluate it, particularly in the area of dissertation research.
  3. Conduct original research into one or more specific areas of statistical science that advances the field and that is of sufficient depth to merit publication in a statistical or scientific journal.
  4. Apply statistical computing tools effectively and maintain reproducibility in research workflows.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to translate scientific research goals into statistical questions, and to design and justify appropriate statistical approaches for addressing them.
  6. Apply statistical theory and methods to real-world problems and interpret results appropriately in context.
  7. Clearly and accurately communicate research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences in oral and written form.
  8. Collaborate effectively with domain experts and researchers from other fields.
  9. Conduct scholarship, whether independently or in teams, in ways that reflect ethical practice and professionalism.
  10. Understand the implications of statistical methods including potential biases in data and models.

Core Courses

All students seeking the PhD degree in Statistics are required to pass the PhD core courses (STAT 5200, 6010, 6410, & 6420). It is assumed that the material in the other MS core courses (STAT 5000, 5100, 5420, 5430, & 5790) has also been mastered. A typical schedule is shown below, and this can be compared to the sample schedule presented for the MS program to see how the PhD core courses would fit into the overall schedule of courses.

 

Typical Schedule

Year 1/Fall

STAT 5000 (4 cr.) Statistical Methods I
STAT 5420 (4 cr.) Theory of Probability and Statistics I.
STAT 5790 (1 cr.) An Introduction to R.

Year 1/Spring

STAT 5100 (3 cr.) Statistical Methods II
STAT 5430 (3 cr.) Theory of Probability and Statistics II.
STAT Elective (3 cr.)

Year 2/Fall

STAT 5200 (3 cr). Statistical Methods III
STAT 6410 (3 cr.) Foundations of Probability Theory
STAT Electives (3 cr.)

Year 2/Spring

STAT 6010 (3 cr.) Advanced Statistical Methods
STAT 6420 (3 cr.) Advanced Probability Theory
STAT Electives (3 cr.)

Statistics Professors
Wayne Fuller, Eric Tchetgen
Philip Dixon

The Director of Graduate Studies and/or Chair of the Department are available to advise a student entering the program with more experience than typically represented by a Bachelor’s degree on how best to sequence core courses and where to begin in the program. If a student enters the program with a Master’s degree in statistics, he or she may be advised to start directly with the PhD core courses or may be advised to include some MS core courses in the first one or two semesters of study.

Alternative Possible Schedule for a Student Entering with a Master’s Degree in Statistics

Year 1/Fall

STAT 5200 (3 cr.) Statistical Methods III (optional)
STAT 6410 (3 cr.) Foundations of Probability Theory
STAT Electives (3 cr.)

Year 1/Spring

STAT 6420 (3 cr.) Advanced Probability Theory
STAT 6010 (3 cr.) Advanced Statistical Methods
STAT Electives (3 cr.)

See all courses offered by the department

If English is not a student’s native language, he or she will be required to take an English Placement Test at the start of the first semester of graduate study. Based on the results of this exam, the student may be required to take one or more English courses. Other language requirements, if any, will be established by the Program of Study Committee and major professor.

Joining the Program