Graduate Studies in Statistics at University of South Carolina

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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)

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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

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The Statistics Profession
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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.

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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)
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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
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Scope and Variety of Statistics
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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
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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.

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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.

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• Manufacturing
• Build products and deliver services that satisfy
  consumers and increase the corporations profit
  margin

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• Marketing
• Design experiments for new products, conduct
  focus groups and sample surveys, and perform
  field experiments in test markets to determine
  product viability

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• Engineering
• Make a consistent product, detect problems,
  minimize waste, and predict product life in
  electronics, chemicals, aerospace, pollution
  control, construction, and other industries

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• 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

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• Epidemiology
• Work on calculating cancer incidence rates,
  monitor disease outbreaks, and monitor changes in
  health-related behaviors such as smoking and
  physical activity

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

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• Pharmacology
• Work in drug discovery, development, approval,
  and marketing, to ensure the validity and
  accuracy of findings at all stages of the process

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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• Ecology
• Address questions about the earths natural
  environment, including animal populations,
  agricultural protections, and fertilizer and
  pesticide safety

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Graduate Studies at USC
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Department of Statistics at USC
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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

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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

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Faculty Research Interests

• 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
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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

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Skills

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

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Opportunities

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

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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 masters thesis work
• Thesis work lots of variety (applied, theory,
  computer-intensive)
• Masters thesis defense
• A nice job, or go into a PhD program

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

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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

• 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

• 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 pena_at_stat.sc.edu We
bsite http//www.stat.sc.edu/