Graduate Studies in Statistics at University of South Carolina Edsel A. Peña Professor and Graduate Director Department of Statistics (With Some Materials Obtained From an American Statistical Association Powerpoint Presentation)

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina2 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

The Statistics Profession

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.’ What Is Statistics?

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina5 Population (The GOAL, but UNSEEN) UnitXY ================ 1x 1 y 1 2x 2 y 2 3x 3 y 3 ……… Nx N y N ================ Mean  X  Y StdDev  X  Y ================ UnitXY ======================= 1x 1 y 1 2x 2 y 2 3x 3 y 3 ……… nx n y n ======================= Meanm X m Y StdDevs X s Y ======================= Sample (What we SEE) Sampling process and Experiments (Probability) Schematics Inferential Process (Statistics)

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina6 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.) Analyze sample data using statistical methods Results consistent with the hypothesis? NO YES Dr. or Prof. Thesis!? Dissertation! Tenure, Promotion, Recognition Wealth??! STATISTICS

Scope and Variety of Statistics

Environment Agriculture, Ecology, Forestry, Animal Populations Government Census, Law, National Defense Physical Sciences Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics Areas where STATISTICS are used Health & Medicine Genetics, Clinical Trials, Epidemiology, Pharmacology Business Economics, Engineering, Marketing, Computer Science

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. Why Study Statistics?

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. What Do Statisticians Do?

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 user- friendly and sufficiently complex Business and Industry

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 Health and Medicine

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 Learning

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 Research

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 Social Statistics

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 Natural Resources

Graduate Studies at USC

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina28 Department of Statistics at USC

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina29 About the Department Formed in 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

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina30 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

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina31 Faculty Research Interests Reliability and Quality Sciences Biostatistics and Survival Analysis Nonparametrics Environmetrics Mathematical Statistics and Probability Psychometrics Bioinformatics

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

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina36 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

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina37 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!

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina38 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

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina39 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

Statistics Job Market Some Characteristics

Salary Report of Academic Statisticians The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at

2001 Salary Report of Biostatistics The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina43 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

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina44 Applying for Admission Online: 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

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina45 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

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina46 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

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina47 Fellowships Graduate School College of Science and Mathematics Department External sources

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina48 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!

Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina49 For More Information Website: