Title: Graduate Studies in Statistics at University of South Carolina
1Graduate Studies in Statisticsat University of
South Carolina
- Edsel A. Peña
- Professor and Graduate Director
- Department of Statistics
- pena_at_stat.sc.edu
- (With Some Materials Obtained From an
- American Statistical Association Powerpoint
Presentation)
2Outline of Presentation
- The Statistics Profession
- Graduate Studies at USC
- Faculty and Students
- Students We Seek
- Degree Programs
- Job Market and Salary Information
- Applying for Admission
- Financial Support
- Positive Aspects
3The Statistics Profession
4What Is Statistics?
- American Heritage Dictionary The mathematics
of the collection, organization, and
interpretation of numerical data, especially the
analysis of population characteristics by
inference from sampling. - Statisticians collect and analyze data, then
calculate results using a specific design. They
draw conclusions and make decisions in the face
of uncertainty and by exploiting order out of
chaos.
5Schematics
Sampling process and Experiments (Probability)
Unit X Y 1 x1 y1 2 x2 y2 3 x3 y3
N xN yN Mean mX mY StdDev s
X sY
Unit X Y 1 x1 y1 2 x2 y2 3
x3 y3 n xn yn Mean
mX mY StdDev sX sY
Sample (What we SEE)
Population (The GOAL, but UNSEEN)
Inferential Process (Statistics)
6Science, Scientific Process, and
Statistics (Cycle of Life)
Thesis!? Dissertation!
Question Problem Conjecture Theory?!
Do a study to gather sample data
(survey, historical, observational, designed
expt.)
Set-up formal hypotheses in terms of
variables and parameters
STATISTICS
Results consistent with the hypothesis?
Analyze sample data using statistical methods
NO
Tenure, Promotion, RecognitionWealth??!
Dr. or Prof.
YES
7Scope and Variety of Statistics
8Business Economics, Engineering, Marketing, Comput
er Science
Physical Sciences Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics
Areas where STATISTICS are used
Health Medicine Genetics, Clinical
Trials, Epidemiology, Pharmacology
Environment Agriculture, Ecology,
Forestry, Animal Populations
Government Census, Law, National Defense
9Why Study Statistics?
- Collecting data on subsets of the population
(samples) can give valid information about the
whole population. - Knowing what has happened in the past can help
answer questions about the present and future. - Knowledge helps plan future tests, determines
resource allocation, and improves quality.
10What Do Statisticians Do?
- Study the safety of nuclear power plants
- Evaluate the environmental impact of pollution
- Determine the effectiveness of new drugs
- Estimate the U.S. unemployment rate
- Analyze consumer demand for products
- Plan and analyze agricultural experiments
- Do mathematical research.
11- Manufacturing
- Build products and deliver services that satisfy
consumers and increase the corporations profit
margin
12- Marketing
- Design experiments for new products, conduct
focus groups and sample surveys, and perform
field experiments in test markets to determine
product viability
13- Engineering
- Make a consistent product, detect problems,
minimize waste, and predict product life in
electronics, chemicals, aerospace, pollution
control, construction, and other industries
14- Statistical Computing
- Work in software design and development, testing,
quality assurance, technical support, education,
marketing, and sales to develop code that is both
user-friendly and sufficiently complex
15- Epidemiology
- Work on calculating cancer incidence rates,
monitor disease outbreaks, and monitor changes in
health-related behaviors such as smoking and
physical activity
16- Public Health
- Prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health
through organized community efforts, including
sanitation, hygiene education, diagnoses, and
preventative treatment
17- Pharmacology
- Work in drug discovery, development, approval,
and marketing, to ensure the validity and
accuracy of findings at all stages of the process
18- Genetics
- Label possible indicators of genetic
abnormalities, such as birth defects and early
aging, or breed desirable characteristics in
plant offspring
19- Education
- Teach K-12 through post-graduate students, assess
teacher effectiveness, or develop statistical
models to represent student learning
20- Science Writing Journalism
- Work with mass media, universities, and
corporations to produce news briefs, articles,
news releases, and other reports
21- Government
- Work in regulations for stock trading, pollution,
and drug approvals, or testify in court
proceedings, congressional hearings, and lobbying
arguments
22- Survey Methods
- Collect data in the social sciences, education,
law, forestry, agriculture, biology, medicine,
business, and e-commerce, and for the government
23- Law
- Analyze data in court cases, including DNA
evidence, salary discrepancies, discrimination
law suits, and disease clusters
24- Consulting
- Work on a temporary basis on a variety of
projects including quality improvement,
pharmaceuticals, ecology, and engineering
25- Agriculture
- Study chemical pesticides, hydrogeology,
veterinary sciences, genetics, and crop
management in order to ensure optimal yield
26- Ecology
- Address questions about the earths natural
environment, including animal populations,
agricultural protections, and fertilizer and
pesticide safety
27Graduate Studies at USC
28Department of Statistics at USC
29About the Department
- Formed in 1985
- 13.5 faculty (12 with PhDs)
- 31 full-time students 28 part-time
- Degree Programs PhD, MS, MIS, CAS
- Statistical Consulting Center
- Center for Reliability and Quality Sciences
- International Conference last May
30Faculty Characteristics
- 5 Full Professors
- 3 Associate Professors
- 3 Assistant Professors
- 3 Instructors/Lecturers
- 5 are Elected Fellows of the ASA
- Recipients of teaching and research awards
- Active researchers in editorial boards
31Faculty Research Interests
- Reliability and Quality Sciences
- Biostatistics and Survival Analysis
- Nonparametrics
- Environmetrics
- Mathematical Statistics and Probability
- Psychometrics
- Bioinformatics
32Preparation and Qualities We Seek of Students
33Education
- College
- Major in statistics, mathematics, applied
mathematics, or a closely related field (i.e.
epidemiology, engineering) - Post-Graduate
- Many career fields require a Masters degree or
PhD in a specialized statistical field
34Skills
- Quantitative Skills
- Statistics, Mathematics, Science
- Problem Solving Skills
- Analysis, Teamwork
- Communication Skills
- Verbal, Written
- Computer Programming Languages
- Foundation in Field of Application
35Opportunities
- Diversity
- Pure Research
- Interdisciplinary Teams
- Advancement
- Experience, education, and communication skills
lead to professional advancement - Versatility
- Challenging and Exciting Fields of Application
36Degree Programs at USC
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Takes 4-5 years (if admitted without MS)
- Training in statistical theory, methods, applied
statistics, computing, and consulting - Suited for academic jobs, industry, research, and
teaching - Suited for those who are good in mathematics,
data analysis, and loves computers - Requires dissertation work
37PhD Program Timetable
- First Year core theory and applied courses
- Preliminary examination
- Second Year additional PhD core theory, applied
courses, and computing courses - Comprehensive examination
- Dissertation Proposal and Work (1-2 years)
- Original research leads to published work
- PhD then a nice job!
38Masters Degree Programs
- Master of Science (MS)
- Takes 1.5 to 2 years
- Training suitable for industry job, teaching, or
for pursuing a doctorate - Master of Industrial Statistics (MIS)
- For those who are currently working in industry
- Distance-ed courses available all over SC
39MS Program Timetable
- First three semesters core theory, applied, and
computing courses - Last two semesters masters thesis work
- Thesis work lots of variety (applied, theory,
computer-intensive) - Masters thesis defense
- A nice job, or go into a PhD program
40Statistics Job MarketSome Characteristics
412002 - 2003 Salary Report of Academic
Statisticians
The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at
www.amstat.org/profession.
422001 Salary Report of Biostatistics
The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at
www.amstat.org/profession.
43About Our Graduates
- Graduates 2-4 PhDs every year
- Several MS and MIS graduates every year
- Excellent job placement industry, academia, or
MS grads proceed to get PhD - Graduates have indicated satisfaction with the
training they received from USC
44Applying for Admission
- Online http//www.gradschool.sc.edu
- One application for admission and financial
support (assistantships and fellowships) - GRE, Letters of Recommendation (at least 2),
Transcripts, Statement of Purpose (optional) - Deadline preferably before March 1st
45Assistantships
- About 8-12 new positions every Fall
- Full-time 20 hours per week of work
- Teaching assistantships
- Research assistantships (NSF, NIH, others)
- About 31 full-time students have assistantship
support - Nine-Month Stipend at least 13000
- Summer support usually available as well
46GA Responsibilities
- Teaching Assistant assists in basic statistics
courses during first year, and then handles their
own courses - Research Assistant performs own research or
assists faculty in their research
47Fellowships
- Graduate School
- College of Science and Mathematics
- Department
- External sources
48Some Positive Points of USC
- A small department, but active faculty.
- Great camaraderie and friendship among students
and faculty. - Excellent training in both theory, methods,
applications, and computing. - Excellent job placement after graduation.
- And, of course, GREAT CLIMATE!
49For More Information E-Mail pena_at_stat.sc.edu We
bsite http//www.stat.sc.edu/