Transcript Statistics Graduate Program at University of South Carolina

Graduate Studies in Statistics
at University of South Carolina
Edsel A. Peña
Professor and Graduate Director
Department of Statistics
[email protected]
(With Some Materials Obtained From an
American Statistical Association Powerpoint Presentation)
Outline of Presentation
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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
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The Statistics Profession
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.’
Schematics
Unit
X
Y
================
1
x1
y1
2
x2
y2
3
x3
y3
…
…
…
N
xN
yN
================
Mean
mX
mY
StdDev sX
sY
================
Population
(The GOAL, but UNSEEN)
Sampling process and Experiments
(Probability)
Unit
X
Y
=======================
1
x1
y1
2
x2
y2
3
x3
y3
…
…
…
n
xn
yn
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Mean
mX
mY
StdDev
sX
sY
=======================
Inferential
Process (Statistics)
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Sample
(What we SEE)
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Thesis!?
Dissertation!
Science, Scientific Process, and Statistics
(Cycle of “Life”)
Question
Problem
Conjecture
Theory?!
Set-up formal
hypotheses in
terms of variables
and parameters
Do a study to gather
sample data (survey,
historical, observational,
designed expt.)
STATISTICS
Tenure,
Promotion,
Recognition
Wealth??!
Results consistent
with the
hypothesis?
NO
Dr. or Prof.
Analyze sample data
using statistical
methods
YES
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Scope and Variety
of Statistics
Business
Economics, Engineering,
Marketing,
Computer Science
Health &
Medicine
Genetics, Clinical Trials,
Epidemiology,
Pharmacology
Areas where
STATISTICS
are used
Physical
Sciences
Astronomy,
Chemistry, Physics
Environment
Agriculture,
Ecology, Forestry,
Animal Populations
Government
Census, Law,
National Defense
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.
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.
Business and Industry
• Manufacturing
– Build products and deliver
services that satisfy consumers
and increase the corporation’s
profit margin
Business and Industry
• Marketing
– Design experiments for new
products, conduct focus groups
and sample surveys, and
perform field experiments in test
markets to determine product
viability
Business and Industry
• Engineering
– Make a consistent product, detect
problems, minimize waste, and
predict product life in electronics,
chemicals, aerospace, pollution
control, construction, and other
industries
Business and Industry
• Statistical Computing
– Work in software design and
development, testing, quality
assurance, technical support,
education, marketing, and sales
to develop code that is both userfriendly and sufficiently complex
Health and Medicine
• Epidemiology
– Work on calculating cancer
incidence rates, monitor disease
outbreaks, and monitor changes
in health-related behaviors such
as smoking and physical activity
Health and Medicine
• Public Health
– Prevent disease, prolong life,
and promote health through
organized community efforts,
including sanitation, hygiene
education, diagnoses, and
preventative treatment
Health and Medicine
• Pharmacology
– Work in drug discovery,
development, approval, and
marketing, to ensure the validity
and accuracy of findings at all
stages of the process
Health and Medicine
• Genetics
– Label possible indicators of
genetic abnormalities, such as
birth defects and early aging, or
breed desirable characteristics in
plant offspring
Learning
• Education
– Teach K-12 through post-graduate
students, assess teacher
effectiveness, or develop
statistical models to represent
student learning
Learning
• Science Writing & Journalism
– Work with mass media,
universities, and corporations to
produce news briefs, articles,
news releases, and other reports
Research
• Government
– Work in regulations for stock
trading, pollution, and drug
approvals, or testify in court
proceedings, congressional
hearings, and lobbying arguments
Research
• Survey Methods
– Collect data in the social
sciences, education, law,
forestry, agriculture, biology,
medicine, business, and
e-commerce, and for the
government
Social Statistics
• Law
– Analyze data in court cases,
including DNA evidence, salary
discrepancies, discrimination law
suits, and disease clusters
Social Statistics
• Consulting
– Work on a temporary basis
on a variety of projects
including quality
improvement,
pharmaceuticals, ecology,
and engineering
Natural Resources
• Agriculture
– Study chemical pesticides,
hydrogeology, veterinary
sciences, genetics, and crop
management in order to ensure
optimal yield
Natural Resources
• Ecology
– Address questions about the
earth’s natural environment,
including animal populations,
agricultural protections, and
fertilizer and pesticide safety
Graduate Studies at USC
Department of Statistics at USC
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About the Department
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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
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Faculty Characteristics
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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
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Faculty Research Interests
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Reliability and Quality Sciences
Biostatistics and Survival Analysis
Nonparametrics
Environmetrics
Mathematical Statistics and Probability
Psychometrics
Bioinformatics
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Preparation and Qualities
We Seek of Students
Education
• College
– Major in statistics, mathematics, applied
mathematics, or a closely related field
(i.e. epidemiology, engineering)
• Post-Graduate
– Many career fields require a Master’s
degree or PhD in a specialized statistical
field
Skills
• Quantitative Skills
– Statistics, Mathematics, Science
• Problem Solving Skills
– Analysis, Teamwork
• Communication Skills
– Verbal, Written
• Computer Programming Languages
• Foundation in Field of Application
Opportunities
• Diversity
– Pure Research
– Interdisciplinary Teams
• Advancement
– Experience, education, and communication skills
lead to professional advancement
• Versatility
– Challenging and Exciting Fields of Application
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
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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!
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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
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MS Program Timetable
• First three semesters: core theory, applied,
and computing courses
• Last two semesters: master’s thesis work
– Thesis work: lots of variety (applied, theory,
computer-intensive)
• Master’s thesis defense
• A nice job, or go into a PhD program
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Statistics Job Market
Some Characteristics
2002 - 2003 Salary Report of
Academic Statisticians
The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at
www.amstat.org/profession.
2001 Salary Report of Biostatistics
The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at
www.amstat.org/profession.
About Our Graduates
• Graduates 2-4 PhD’s 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
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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
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Assistantships
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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
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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
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Fellowships
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Graduate School
College of Science and Mathematics
Department
External sources
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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!
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For More Information
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.stat.sc.edu/
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