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      View this page as a pdf document: Graduate Programs in Statistics: Effective Fall 2011
(refer to the pdf document: Graduate Programs in Statistics: Prior to Fall 2011)

Typically, students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in Statistics will be admitted initially to the M.S. program. After taking certain courses and passing the Ph.D. Candidacy requirements stated herein, the student can be formally admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Although the Graduate College requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 to graduate, the department requires a higher GPA of at least 3.4 for the Ph.D. in statistics. This includes all courses used to meet degree requirements plus additional courses that are relevant to the student's program.

The doctoral program in statistics prepares students for careers in research, applications, and teaching. Students choose one of four areas of concentration for their course work: biostatistics, probability/mathematical statistics, statistical modeling and computing, and actuarial science/financial mathematics. Regardless of the area of concentration, students must complete a minimum of 72 s.h. of course work (including work done in the M.S. program). Students must pass the Ph.D. Final (Comprehensive) Examination, as well as write and defend a thesis. The Ph.D. program takes about three years to complete once the M.S. has been earned.

    1. Biostatistics emphasizes an exposure to various biostatistical methods such as survival analysis, categorical data analysis, and longitudinal data analysis. It prepares students for consulting and other positions in industry.
    2. Probability/Mathematical Statistics emphasizes a broad and solid foundation in the techniques and underpinnings of mathematical statistics. It emphasizes both breadth and depth of training and is intended to produce well-rounded, knowledgeable scholars. This area of concentration is excellent preparation for both academic positions in mathematical statistics or industrial/government positions that require broadly trained statisticians with a strong understanding of statistical theory.
    3. Statistical Modeling and Computing emphasizes the theory and application of a broad array of statistical models, such as linear, generalized linear, nonlinear, categorical, spatial, correlated response, and nonparametric regression models. This area of concentration prepares students to specify and choose appropriate models; fit the models using available statistical software; develop and code computing algorithms; and make sound statistical conclusions and interpretive statements. It is excellent preparation for students interested in academic or industrial/government positions which involve the modeling and analysis of data.
    4. Actuarial Science/Financial Mathematics emphasizes the theory of actuarial science, finance, and asset and liability management. It is excellent preparation for academic positions in universities offering actuarial science programs or for positions in the insurance, pension, and financial industries. In case you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in statistics with emphasis in actuarial science/financial mathematics, we want to caution you that this is a very selective and highly mathematical program. For the vast majority of students, admission into this Ph.D. program comes after earning an M.S. degree in actuarial science at the University of Iowa.

Ph.D. Candidacy

Ph.D. Candidacy (official entry into the Ph.D. program) is established upon successful completion of the Graduate Core Examination and the Creative Component.

    Graduate Core Examination

    Ph.D. students must take a two-part Graduate Core Examination covering the topics in the core courses. One part covers the topics in STAT:5100 (22S:193) and STAT:5101 (22S:194), and the other part covers the topics in STAT:5200 (22S:164), STAT:5201 (22S:165), and STAT:5400 (22S:166).

    Each examination will have a few harder problems intended to test readiness for entering the Ph.D. program. Students must pass this examination at the "Ph.D. encouragement" level. Study guides are available in the departmental office. The exams are offered during the week prior to classes in August and in January. Students who are unsuccessful in their first attempt may repeat the exam only one time.

    Students just entering the program and who have already taken the equivalent first-year courses may opt to take the Graduate Core Examination before they begin their studies in our program.

    Creative Component

    Students must also complete a research-oriented Creative Component that is related to a potential dissertation topic. This entails choosing a suitable faculty advisor, enrolling in two consecutive enrollments of 1 s.h. each in STAT:6990 (22S:197) Readings in Statistics under that advisor (normally during each of the fall and spring semesters of the second year), and writing an 8- to 15-page research paper agreed upon with the advisor. A draft of the article should be completed by the end of the first enrollment in STAT:6990 (22S:197), and polished by mid-semester in the second enrollment. It will then be presented orally in a public seminar and evaluated by a faculty committee.

    The Creative Component must be completed within one calendar year of high-passing the Graduate Core Examination; failure to meet this deadline will require re-examination of the student.

Course Requirements

Core Requirements
    STAT:5090 (22S:170) ALPHA Seminar (1 s.h.)
    STAT:5100 (22S:193) Statistical Inference I (3 s.h.)
    STAT:5101 (22S:194) Statistical Inference II (3 s.h.)
    STAT:5120 (22S:190) Mathematical Methods for Statistics (3 s.h.)
    STAT:5200 (22S:164) Applied Statistics I (4 s.h.)
    STAT:5201 (22S:165) Applied Statistics II (3 s.h.)
    STAT:5400 (22S:166) Computing in Statistics (3 s.h.)
    STAT:6220 (22S:173) Statistical Consulting (3 s.h.)
    STAT:6300 (22S:195) Probability and Stochastic Processes I (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7100 (22S:253) Advanced Inference I (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7101 (22S:254) Advanced Inference II (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7200 (22S:255) Linear Models (4 s.h.)
    STAT:7300 (22S:203) Foundations of Probability I (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7400 (22S:248) Computing Intensive Statistics (3 s.h.)
    Seminars - at least 2 semester hours of STAT:7190 (22S:291) Seminar: Mathematical Statistics, STAT:7290 (22S:295) Seminar: Applied Statistics, or STAT:7390 (22S:293) Seminar: Probability
    STAT:7990 (22S:299) Reading Research (at least 18 s.h.)

In addition, students take at least four courses in one of the following areas of concentration. At least two of these must be Ph.D.-level courses [STAT:7000+ (22S:200+)].

Biostatistics

    BIOS:6410 (171:185) Microarray Data Analysis (3 s.h.)
    STAT:6530 (22S:167) Environmental and Spatial Statistics (3 s.h.)
    STAT:6540 (22S:161) Applied Multivariate Analysis (3 s.h.)
    BIOS:7310 (171:264) Longitudinal Data Analysis (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7510 (22S:220) Analysis of Categorical Data (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7570 (22S:225) Survival Data Analysis (3 s.h.)
Probability/Mathematical Statistics
    STAT:6301 (22S:196) Probability and Stochastic Processes II (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7301 (22S:204) Foundations of Probability II (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7520 (22S:238) Bayesian Analysis (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7560 (22S:235) Time Series Analysis (3 s.h.)
Statistical Modeling and Computing
    STAT:6510 (22S:162) Applied Generalized Regression (3 s.h.)
    STAT:6530 (22S:167) Environmental and Spatial Statistics (3 s.h.)
    STAT:6540 (22S:161) Applied Multivariate Analysis (3 s.h.)
    STAT:6560 (22S:156) Applied Time Series Analysis (3 s.h.)
    STAT:6970 (22S:172) Topics in Statistics (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7510 (22S:220) Analysis of Categorical Data (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7520 (22S:238) Bayesian Analysis (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7560 (22S:235) Time Series Analysis (3 s.h.)
Actuarial Science/Financial Mathematics
    STAT:6301 (22S:196) Probability and Stochastic Processes II (3 s.h.)
    FIN:7110 (06F:225) Finance Theory I (3 s.h.)
    FIN:7130 (06F:227) Finance Theory II (3 s.h.)
    STAT:7560 (22S:235) Time Series Analysis (3 s.h.)
    ACTS:7730 (22S:273) Advanced Topics in Actuarial Science (arr.)

It should also be noted that each semester in which a graduate student registers for at least 6 s.h., he or she must include at least one course of at least 2 s.h. offered by the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, excluding STAT:6990 (22S:197) Readings in Statistics and STAT:7990 (22S:299) Reading Research.

During the graduate program, students may take course work or seminars in other departments to achieve auxiliary goals of the doctoral program: to relate an area of specialization to other fields of knowledge, to acquire the ability to use electronic digital computing equipment, or to learn the language skills needed to read foreign scientific journals and respond in personal contacts with foreign scholars.

A program that does not conform to the prescribed requirements but is of high quality may be approved by the department chair.

Ph.D. Final (Comprehensive) Examination

Students typically take the Ph.D. Final (Comprehensive) Examination at the beginning of the third year of graduate study (the week before fall classes begin). Students who are unsuccessful in their first attempt may repeat the exam only one time. The comprehensive examination consists of a written core examination and an oral examination in two of these four areas:

  • Statistical inference [topics in STAT:7100 (22S:253)]

  • Linear models [topics in STAT:7200 (22S:255)]

  • Probability [topics in STAT:6300 (22S:195) and STAT:7300 (22S:203)]

  • Statistical modeling and computing [topics in STAT:7400 (22S:248) and concentration course(s) in modeling]

    • Ph.D. students in the Actuarial Science/Financial Mathematics track may qualify to take an examination designed by his or her advisor and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

    Ph.D. Committee

    Upon passing the Ph.D. Final (Comprehensive) Examination, the Ph.D. candidate will choose a committee of at least five members, which is approved by the advisor. One of the committee members must be from outside the student's home discipline (the "outside member"). The outside member may not serve as the chair of the committee. Faculty who have joint appointments with our department may not be considered as outside members.

    Prospectus

    Within 12 months of passing the Ph.D. Final (Comprehensive) Examination, the Ph.D. candidate should present a written and oral Prospectus to his or her committee. This Prospectus should describe the problem(s) the student is considering for the thesis, relevant background material, ideas for solving the problem(s), and preliminary results (if any). Prior to the Prospectus meeting, contact the department administrator for the form which must be signed by the committee upon completion of the presentation. Failure to meet this deadline may result in non-renewal of financial support.

    Plan of Study

    The development of a Plan of Study at the doctoral level is the responsibility of the student working together with his or her advisor. A formal Plan of Study must accoompany the departmental request to the Graduate College for permission to conduct the comprehensive examination. The Plan of Study will provide a listing of all graduate courses taken that apply toward the degree and a listing of courses in progress or yet to be completed.

    Ph.D. Dissertation

    There are rigid formatting requirements for writing a proper thesis. Please consult the Graduate College's Thesis Manual.

    Students are required to submit with the first thesis deposit a check sheet signed by their thesis supervisor. Theses without the signed check sheet will not be accepted for first deposit.

    The Graduate College requires that a student must make a defense of his or her thesis no later than five years after passing the Ph.D. Final (Comprehensive) Examination. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a re-examination of the student to determine his or her qualifications for defending the thesis.

    Each Ph.D. student is expected to submit a final bound copy of his or her dissertation to the department. Each of these is kept in the departmental office conference room for public reference. This may be arranged via the Presearvation Office at the Main Library.

    Continuous Registration

    After successful completion of their Ph.D. Final (Comprehensive) Examination, all doctoral students must maintain continuous registration until the completion of their degree. All such students, regardless of location of residence, are considered to be "under instruction" and are thus considered to be accessing University of Iowa faculty and staff time, and University facilities. Tuition is to be paid for such access.

    Doctoral students will be required to register for course work required by their program and pay the appropriate tuition, or to register for GRAD:6002 (000:002) Doctoral Continuous Registration and pay 2 s.h. tuition. This requirement applies to students conducting research, fieldwork or other scholarly activities related to their graduate programs including the writing of their thesis or dissertation, and consultation with faculty, as well as students taking courses at the University.

    When doctoral students plan to defend their dissertations, they will register for GRAD:6003 (000:003) Doctoral Final Registration. During this final registration, all students (master's and doctoral) will be required to pay the 2 s.h. tuition. The final registration may be repeated if the degree requirements are not completed in this session.

    Residency

    The Ph.D. student is expected to complete at least three years of residence in the Graduate College. At least part of this residency must be spent in full-time involvement in one's discipline, at this University, beyond the first 24 s.h. of graduate work; this requirement can be met either by: (1) enrollment as a full-time student (9 graduate s.h. minimum) in each of two semesters, or (2) enrollment for a minimum of 6 graduate s.h. in each of three semesters during which the student holds a one-third-time assistantship certified by the department as contributing to the student's Ph.D. program.

    Application for Degree

    The student must file an application for an anticipated degree with the Registrar not later than ten weeks after the start of the semester or one week after the start of the summer session in which the degree will be conferred. The student must have the application signed by his or her advisor. Failure to file the Application for Degree by the deadline will result in postponement of graduation to a subsequent session.

    Ph.D. Timeline

    The timeline below describes the key milestones in the Ph.D. program. Meeting these milestones on time constitutes "adequate progress" toward the Ph.D. degree. See also the sample schedule below. Note that the year numbers refer to those entering the program with a baccalaureate degree. Students who enter after some amount of graduate study elsewhere may in effect be starting in year 2 or year 3.
    Year 1
  • Complete at least 16 semester hours of coursework with a GPA of at least 3.4, including courses needed to prepare for the Graduate Core Examination.
  • Participate in STAT:5090 (22S:170) ALPHA Seminar.
    • Year 2
  • Take the Graduate Core Examination before classes start in the fall. If necessary, re-take the exam in January.
  • Complete at least 16 s.h. of coursework, including all prerequisites to STAT:7100 (22S:253), STAT:7200 (22S:255), and STAT:7300 (22S:203) with a GPA of at least 3.4 -- in essence meeting the requirements of the M.S. program.
  • Satisfactorily complete the creative component requirement (draft by end of fall, polished and presented by mid-spring).
  • Begin working on identifying a potential dissertation advisor and dissertation topic.
    • Year 3
  • Pass the comprehensive examination. (In certain cases where it was not possible to take the needed 7000-level courses by the end of the second year, this may need to be deferred to the fourth year.)
  • Complete at least 15 s.h. of courses with a GPA of 3.4 of higher, including a seminar course [STAT:7190 (22S:291), STAT:7290 (22S:295), or STAT:7390 (22S:293)].
  • Identify the dissertation advisor, dissertation topic, and dissertation committee.
    • Year 4
  • Complete most remaining core and concentration-area courses with a GPA of 3.4 or higher, a seminar course [STAT:7190 (22S:291), STAT:7290 (22S:295), or STAT:7390 (22S:293)], and 3-6 s.h. of STAT:7990 (22S:299) Reading Research.
  • Present the dissertation prospectus.
    • Year 5
  • Complete all course requirements, including remaining hours of STAT:7990 (22S:299) Reading Research, with a GPA of at least 3.4.
  • Complete the dissertation, including meeting dissertation deposit deadlines.
  • File the Application for Degree during the final semester.
  • Defend the dissertation.

    • Sample Schedule for Ph.D. Students in Statistics

    Year
    Fall Semester
    Spring Semester
    1
    		 STAT:5090 ALPHA Seminar

    STAT:5100 Statistical Inference I

    STAT:5200 Applied Statistics I

    STAT:5400 Computing in Statistics

    		 STAT:5101 Statistical Inference II

    STAT:5120 Mathematical Methods for Statistics

    STAT:5201 Applied Statistics II
    2
    		 [Graduate Core Examination]

    STAT:6300 Probability and Stochastic Processes I

    STAT:6990 Readings in Statistics (1 s.h.)

    STAT:7100 Advanced Inference I, STAT:7200 Linear Models, or STAT:7300 Foundations of Probability I

    one concentration course

    		 STAT:6220 Statistical Consulting

    STAT:6990 Readings in Statistics (1 s.h.)

    STAT:7400 Computer Intensive Statistics

    STAT:7101 Advanced Inference II, STAT:7301 Foundations of Probability II, or a concentration course
    3
    		 [Comprehensive Examination]

    remaining courses from STAT:7100 Advanced Inference I, STAT:7200 Linear Models, and STAT:7300 Foundations of Probability I

    one concentration course

    		 STAT:7101 Advanced Inference II, or STAT:7301 Foundations of Probability II

    one concentration course

    STAT:7990 Reading Research (3 s.h.)

    Transition from Old Program

    Ph.D. students who commenced graduate study at The University of Iowa in the fall semester of 2008 or earlier must satisfy the requirements of the Ph.D. program that existed prior to the November 2010 program revision. Students who entered in 2009 or later may opt for either the old or new M.S. program, but if they continue into the Ph.D. program, they must satisfy the requirements of the new Ph.D. program.

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    This page was last modified on Monday, 03-Jan-2011 14:16:52 CST . /ts