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@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 Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

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 mXmY StdDev sXsY ================ 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) Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

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 Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

7. Scope and Variety of Statistics

8. Business Economics, Engineering, Marketing, Computer 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. Business and Industry • Manufacturing • Build products and deliver services that satisfy consumers and increase the corporation’s profit margin

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Health and Medicine • Public Health • Prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health through organized community efforts, including sanitation, hygiene education, diagnoses, and preventative treatment

17. 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

18. Health and Medicine • Genetics • Label possible indicators of genetic abnormalities, such as birth defects and early aging, or breed desirable characteristics in plant offspring

19. Learning • Education • Teach K-12 through post-graduate students, assess teacher effectiveness, or develop statistical models to represent student learning

20. Learning • Science Writing & Journalism • Work with mass media, universities, and corporations to produce news briefs, articles, news releases, and other reports

21. Research • Government • Work in regulations for stock trading, pollution, and drug approvals, or testify in court proceedings, congressional hearings, and lobbying arguments

22. Research • Survey Methods • Collect data in the social sciences, education, law, forestry, agriculture, biology, medicine, business, and e-commerce, and for the government

23. Social Statistics • Law • Analyze data in court cases, including DNA evidence, salary discrepancies, discrimination law suits, and disease clusters

24. Social Statistics • Consulting • Work on a temporary basis on a variety of projects including quality improvement, pharmaceuticals, ecology, and engineering

25. Natural Resources • Agriculture • Study chemical pesticides, hydrogeology, veterinary sciences, genetics, and crop management in order to ensure optimal yield

26. Natural Resources • Ecology • Address questions about the earth’s natural environment, including animal populations, agricultural protections, and fertilizer and pesticide safety

27. Graduate Studies at USC

28. Department of Statistics at USC Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

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 Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

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 Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

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

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. 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 Carolina

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! Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

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 Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

39. 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: Univ. of South Carolina

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 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 Carolina

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 Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

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 Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

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 Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

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

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! Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina

49. For More Information E-Mail: pena@stat.sc.edu Website: http://www.stat.sc.edu/ Statistics: Univ. of South Carolina