Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byClifton Golden Modified over 9 years ago
1
Graduate Studies in Statistics at University of South Carolina Edsel A. Peña Professor and Graduate Director Department of Statistics pena@stat.sc.edu (With Some Materials Obtained From an American Statistical Association Powerpoint Presentation)
2
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
3
The Statistics Profession
4
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?
5
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)
6
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
7
Scope and Variety of Statistics
8
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
9
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?
10
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?
11
Manufacturing –Build products and deliver services that satisfy consumers and increase the corporation’s profit margin Business and Industry
12
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
13
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
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 Business and Industry
15
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
16
Public Health –Prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health through organized community efforts, including sanitation, hygiene education, diagnoses, and preventative treatment Health and Medicine
17
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
18
Genetics –Label possible indicators of genetic abnormalities, such as birth defects and early aging, or breed desirable characteristics in plant offspring Health and Medicine
19
Education –Teach K-12 through post-graduate students, assess teacher effectiveness, or develop statistical models to represent student learning Learning
20
Science Writing & Journalism –Work with mass media, universities, and corporations to produce news briefs, articles, news releases, and other reports Learning
21
Government –Work in regulations for stock trading, pollution, and drug approvals, or testify in court proceedings, congressional hearings, and lobbying arguments Research
22
Survey Methods –Collect data in the social sciences, education, law, forestry, agriculture, biology, medicine, business, and e-commerce, and for the government Research
23
Law –Analyze data in court cases, including DNA evidence, salary discrepancies, discrimination law suits, and disease clusters Social Statistics
24
Consulting –Work on a temporary basis on a variety of projects including quality improvement, pharmaceuticals, ecology, and engineering Social Statistics
25
Agriculture –Study chemical pesticides, hydrogeology, veterinary sciences, genetics, and crop management in order to ensure optimal yield Natural Resources
26
Ecology –Address questions about the earth’s natural environment, including animal populations, agricultural protections, and fertilizer and pesticide safety Natural Resources
27
Graduate Studies at USC
28
Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina28 Department of Statistics at USC
29
Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina29 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
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
31
Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina31 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 Master’s 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
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
37
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!
38
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
39
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
40
Statistics Job Market Some 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
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
44
Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina44 Applying for Admission Online: http://www.gradschool.sc.eduhttp://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
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
46
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
47
Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina47 Fellowships Graduate School College of Science and Mathematics Department External sources
48
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!
49
Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina49 For More Information E-Mail: pena@stat.sc.edupena@stat.sc.edu Website: http://www.stat.sc.edu/
Similar presentations
© 2024 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.