Statistical Science, PhD

Program Overview

Statistical Science, PhD

Overview

The PhD in Statistical Science represents the highest academic attainment for a statistician and, as such, requires in-depth knowledge of modern statistical theory and practice. The degree program is a hybrid of theory, computation, and data analysis; and students are expected to be proficient in all three. Current research areas of key department faculty in the program include biostatistics, modern statistical methodology, big data, data analytics, statistical or machine learning, applied probability, statistical networks, statistical computing, statistical imaging, bioinformatics, financial statistics, Bayesian statistics, data confidentiality, and statistics interfaced with other disciplines.

Admissions

We welcome applications to our PhD program from students with a bachelor's or a master's degree earned with a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the fields of Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, or any other discipline (including social science) with training in mathematics and at least one course in advanced calculus, MATH 315 Advanced Calculus I or equivalent, successfully completed with a grade of B or better.

Students entering with a master's degree may receive a transfer of credit (see AP.6.5.). Students should have completed coursework equivalent to STAT 544 Applied Probability, STAT 554 Applied Statistics I and STAT 652 Statistical Inference. If not, students may be required to take them as part of the degree program (with a transfer credit reduction for their MS degree).

Policies

For policies governing all graduate programs, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Transfer of Credit

Students must complete a minimum of 72 graduate credits. A maximum of 24 credits from a master's degree in statistics, mathematics, or similar discipline, or 30 credits from a Master's degree from the George Mason University Department of Statistics may be applied to this program. Transfer of credit, AP.6.5., requires the approval of the Director(s) of the PhD program in Statistical Science or designee and the dean or designee of the school. They determine whether the credits are eligible for transfer and applicable to the degree program and the number of credits to be transferred.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 72

The 72 hours of required doctoral-level credits typically consist of 48 credits of regular coursework and 24 credits of dissertation research. The following degree plan is based on a student who receives 24 transfer credits from a prior conferred Master's. Students who receive more or less than a 24 credits of transfer coursework should consult with their advisor.

Doctoral Coursework

Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 credits of advanced emphasis coursework, including six core courses:

• STAT 662: Multivariate Analysis and Statistical Learning (3 credits)
• STAT 676: Linear Models and Advanced Regression Modeling (3 credits)
• STAT 778: Statistical Computing (3 credits)
• STAT 971: Probability Theory (3 credits)
• STAT 972: Mathematical Statistics I (3 credits)
• STAT 973: Mathematical Statistics II (3 credits)

The remaining two courses are selected and approved by the Dissertation Committee and the Director(s) of the PhD program in Statistical Science and should be numbered 600 or above.

Qualifying Exams

Written qualifying exams will be taken in the following areas:

• Applied Statistics
• Theoretical Statistics

The exam on Applied Statistics will cover content from three applied courses, including STAT 662 Multivariate Analysis and Statistical Learning, STAT 676 Linear Models and Advanced Regression Modeling and STAT 778 Statistical Computing. The exam on Theoretical Statistics will cover content from three fundamental courses, including STAT 971 Probability Theory, STAT 972 Mathematical Statistics I, and STAT 973 Mathematical Statistics II.

Qualifying exams are offered in August and January. Full-time students who enter the Ph.D. program with a master's degree must take the qualifying exams in August following the year of enrollment. Full-time students who enter the Ph.D. program with a bachelor’s degree as their highest degree must take the exams within two years of enrollment. Part-time students must take the qualifying exams within the first three years of enrollment in the program.

Dissertation Research

In order to advance to candidacy, students must complete all coursework, pass the qualifying exams, and defend a dissertation proposal.

• STAT 990: Dissertation Topic Presentation (required)
• STAT 998: Doctoral Dissertation Proposal
• STAT 999: Doctoral Dissertation (must complete a minimum of 12 credits)

Dissertation Committee Selection

Following successfully passing the qualifying exams, students should identify a dissertation director who is willing to work with them and together assemble a Dissertation Committee.

• Chair: The chair, also referred to as the dissertation director (advisor), must be a full-time faculty member in the Department of Statistics and hold Mason graduate faculty status.
• Co-chair (optional): A Co-chair, who usually serves as the dissertation co-advisor, may be included on the committee. The only requirement for service as Co-Chair is Mason graduate faculty status.
• Internal Members: The committee must include two additional Mason faculty members from the Department of Statistics, at least one must be full-time, and both must hold Mason graduate faculty status. The Co-Chair, if designated, may fulfill one of these internal member roles, provided they meet all requirements.
• External Member: There must be one external member who is not part of the core faculty of the Department of Statistics but holds Mason graduate faculty status.
• Full Professor: At least one committee member must hold the rank of Full Professor.

Advancement to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy is acquired on completion of a dissertation proposal examination. A dissertation proposal examination consists of:

• A proposal manuscript containing a problem statement, a review of related scholarly work, preliminary results, and an outline of the work to be conducted.
• An oral proposal presentation and a subsequent examination by the Dissertation Committee on aspects within the scope of the proposal that pertain to principles and questions fundamental to the field of Statistics.

Doctoral Defense

The dissertation defense serves as the student’s final examination and is conducted by the Dissertation Committee.

• Pre-defense: Prior to the final public defense, the candidate must hold a pre-defense meeting with the dissertation committee. Only the candidates and committee members are required to attend. The written dissertation must be provided to the committee at least two weeks prior to the pre-defense. Upon approval by the committee that the dissertation is ready for defense, the candidate may submit the Approval to Defend Form and proceed to schedule the final public defense.
• Defense: The final defense consists of a 45-minute presentation by the candidate, followed by an oral examination conducted by the dissertation committee, and both are open to the public.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD in Statistical Science is the highest academic attainment for a statistician. It requires in-depth knowledge of modern statistical theory and practice. The program is a hybrid of theory, computation, and data analysis, and students are expected to be proficient in all three.

Objectives:

The program aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of modern statistical theory and practice, enabling them to conduct independent research and contribute to the field of statistics.

Assessment:

• Qualifying Exams: Students must take written qualifying exams in Applied Statistics and Theoretical Statistics.
The exams cover content from specific courses listed in the program requirements.
• Dissertation Proposal Examination: Students must complete all coursework, pass the qualifying exams, and defend a dissertation proposal.
The examination includes a proposal manuscript and an oral presentation.
• Doctoral Defense: The dissertation defense serves as the student's final examination and is conducted by the Dissertation Committee.

Other:

• Research Areas: Current research areas of key department faculty include biostatistics, modern statistical methodology, big data, data analytics, statistical or machine learning, applied probability, statistical networks, statistical computing, statistical imaging, bioinformatics, financial statistics, Bayesian statistics, data confidentiality, and statistics interfaced with other disciplines.
• Dissertation Committee: The Dissertation Committee consists of a chair, two members of the graduate faculty who hold regular appointments in the Department of Statistics, and an external member.
• Advancement to Candidacy: Admission to candidacy is acquired on completion of a dissertation proposal examination.
• Student Disagreements: Student disagreements with any committee evaluation must be reviewed by the committee, with the Department Chairperson as the last arbiter of the appeal.