Ph.D. Program in Statistics
Overview
The PhD Program in Statistics provides students with a broad based course of study in applied statistics, theoretical statistics and probability, as well as numerous advanced topic courses. The breadth and depth of the program has served graduates well in their subsequent careers in academia, industry and government. Doctoral students pursue a wide range of dissertation research, ranging from applied statistics to theoretical probability. Many students are involved in interdisciplinary research that puts them in regular contact with faculty and students in other departments. Past interactions have included Environmental Sciences, Biology, the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Computer Science, Biostatistics, Economics, and the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences.
Coursework
Completion of the PhD degree requires at least forty five (45) semester hours of graduate coursework. To meet this requirement, students typically take fifteen three-credit courses. The course requirements for the PhD are divided into four areas:
1. A Series. These are the six basic first year courses, and are usually taken in the first one or two years of the program. They are divided into three series of two courses. The first course in each series is taken in the Fall, the second in the Spring.
Applied statistics: STOR 664 and 665
Theoretical statistics: STOR 654 and 655
Probability: STOR 634 and 635
PhD students must pass each of the six A series courses and successfully complete the Comprehensive Written Exams on these subjects.
2. B Series. There are seven courses in the B series, covering additional important material from statistics and probability.
STOR 641/734 Stochastic Processes/Models
STOR 754 Time series and multivariate analysis
STOR 755 Estimation and hypothesis testing
STOR 756 Design and robustness
STOR 757 Bayesian statistics and generalized linear models
STOR 765 Consulting
STOR 831 Advanced Probability
PhD students should take and pass at least three of the seven B series courses
3. C series. The C series comprises all graduate level Statistics Program courses that are not included in the A or B Series (excluding STOR 992 and 994):
STOR 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 856, 857, 890, 891, 930, 940, 950, and 960.
PhD students must take and pass at least three C Series courses.
4. Courses Outside Statistics. PhD students must pass at least three credit hours of approved coursework outside Statistics. This coursework can come from other fields including Biostatistics, Operations Research, Mathematics, Computer Science and Biology. Coursework outside statistics needs to be approved by the Graduate Curriculum Committee in order to count towards the PhD degree.
5. Thesis Research Course. All PhD students must take six or more credits of STOR 994, PhD Thesis Research, and must be registered for 994 during the semester that they take their Final Oral Exam. Credits for STOR 994 do not count towards the forty five credit total needed for the degree.
Dissertation:
Students develop and pursue their dissertation research under the guidance of a core member of the Statistics Faculty. In some cases, a student may be co-advised by two core faculty members, or by a core faculty member and a co-advisor from another department.
Time limit. Students are expected to complete their coursework and thesis researchwithin five years of entering the program. The University does not provide tuition remission beyond five years. In addition, the Department cannot guarantee funding for students after the end of their fifth year.
NOTE: For more information on the University's requirements and procedures for the Ph.D., see the Graduate School Handbook.
Examinations
The Comprehensive Written Exam (CWE) consists of three papers, one for each of the basic first year course sequences (STOR 634-5, 654-5, and 664-5). The CWE is usually taken just prior to the second year of study.
Preliminary and Final Oral Exams: At the end of their third year of study, students take the Preliminary Oral Exam during which they describe the general outline of their thesis and receive comments and advice from faculty members on their dissertation committee. The Final Oral Exam is the students formal thesis defense, and usually takes place during the fifth year of study.
