Ph.D. Program - Brief Overview
Most students admitted to the Ph.D. program take courses during their first two years, then complete the research required for the Ph.D. degree in an additional one to three years. At the end of the first year students must pass the First Year Exam -- covering introductory graduate-level probability and statistics material drawn from the areas covered in first year courses -- to qualify to proceed to the second year. At the end of the second year, or in some cases the fall of the third, students take the Preliminary Examination ("Prelim") that assesses broad knowledge of statistics and readiness for research; a graduate student becomes a "Ph.D. candidate" on passing the Prelim. Many students also register for and are awarded the MS in Statistical Science "en route" to Ph.D. on passing the Prelim.
Post-Prelim students devote most of their time to development of original research., perhaps with a small number of additional advanced courses. Students attend conferences and workshops and present research to the department and scientific community as part of their research education. The Ph.D. is awarded following a successful oral presentation and examination by the thesis committee (the "defense"). Duke Statistics expects students to progress to that point within five years in most cases, and normally closer to four.
Students entering with more advanced preparation (e.g. MS degree or prior research experience) will generally take more advanced courses and proceed more rapidly to thesis research. Duke Statistics emphasises the development of a course of study and research that is customized to each student's background, interests and aptitudes. The graduate student advisory process aims to ensures a focus on individuality as a key to success in research, and the structure of study and course selection in the initial stages of each student's graduate career reflects this.
For further details:
- Summary Advisory for Students and Advisors : Semester-by-semester details on course selection, progression, examinations, research and thesis.
- Formal Degree Requirements
- Graduate Courses
- Financial Support
- Career Center
- Admissions
- Ph.D. alums and postdoctoral alums
- Further Info