The MA curriculum is primarily focused on applied statistics; during their studies, students frequently take courses in other departments as well as in Statistics. Many students combine an MA in Statistics with graduate work in another department such as Economics, Forestry, Demography, or Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The MA degree requires at least 24 units of upper division and graduate courses and a comprehensive examination, or at least 20 units of upper division and graduate courses and a thesis. Eighteen of the courses must be in the Statistics Department and of these, 12 must be numbered 205 or higher. The program should be tailored to individual interests, and must be approved by the MA advisor. The comprehensive written examination is given once a year near the end of the Spring Semester. Part I of the examination (two hours) covers material in Statistics 200AB; part II (two hours) is on your choice of three courses out of four which you nominate earlier in the semester. Typically, students complete the Master's Degree program in one to two years.
The PhD program provides a broad background in probability theory, applied, and theoretical statistics. The first year of the PhD program is normally devoted to coursework, followed by the Comprehensive Preliminary Examination, a written exam given once a year in August. The examination consists of three parts: applied statistics, theoretical statistics, and probability. Exactly two parts must be attempted and passed. The examination may be retaken once. During the second and third years, a student is expected to take further courses and select an area in which to do research under the direction of a faculty advisor. At this point an Oral Qualifying Examination determines whether the student is ready to enter the research phase of graduate studies. For the Oral Examination, the student gives a 50 minute lecture to a committee of faculty and then answers questions related to the topic of the lecture. The PhD degree is then granted upon completion of an original dissertation acceptable to a committee of two departmental faculty and one faculty member from outside the department. Students usually complete the PhD program in four to five years.
For a candid guide to life as a Statistics graduate student, please take a look at the the Degrees of Freedom.
Last Modified: Sep 14, 1995