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Graduate Studies in Statistics at University of South Carolina

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Title: Graduate Studies in Statistics at University of South Carolina


1
Graduate 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)

2
Outline 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

3
The Statistics Profession
4
What 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.

5
Schematics
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)
6
Science, 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
7
Scope and Variety of Statistics
8
Business 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
9
Why 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.

10
What 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

27
Graduate Studies at USC
28
Department of Statistics at USC
29
About 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

30
Faculty 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

31
Faculty Research Interests
  • Reliability and Quality Sciences
  • Biostatistics and Survival Analysis
  • Nonparametrics
  • Environmetrics
  • Mathematical Statistics and Probability
  • Psychometrics
  • Bioinformatics

32
Preparation and Qualities We Seek of Students
33
Education
  • 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

34
Skills
  • Quantitative Skills
  • Statistics, Mathematics, Science
  • Problem Solving Skills
  • Analysis, Teamwork
  • Communication Skills
  • Verbal, Written
  • Computer Programming Languages
  • Foundation in Field of Application

35
Opportunities
  • Diversity
  • Pure Research
  • Interdisciplinary Teams
  • Advancement
  • Experience, education, and communication skills
    lead to professional advancement
  • Versatility
  • Challenging and Exciting Fields of Application

36
Degree 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

37
PhD 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!

38
Masters 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

39
MS 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

40
Statistics Job MarketSome Characteristics
41
2002 - 2003 Salary Report of Academic
Statisticians
The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at
www.amstat.org/profession.
42
2001 Salary Report of Biostatistics
The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at
www.amstat.org/profession.
43
About 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

44
Applying 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

45
Assistantships
  • 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

46
GA 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

47
Fellowships
  • Graduate School
  • College of Science and Mathematics
  • Department
  • External sources

48
Some 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!

49
For More Information E-Mail pena_at_stat.sc.edu We
bsite http//www.stat.sc.edu/
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