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Graduate Bulletin

Statistics, Ph.D.

FOX SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 15                           [December 15 for international applicants]

Applications are processed together after the deadline has passed. International students who miss the December 15 deadline are required to submit to Temple University an evaluation of their transcript by an approved educational evaluation firm.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

Applicants must have completed coursework in Differential and Integral Calculus, including Multivariable Calculus, as well as a course in Linear Algebra.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

No.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate baccalaureate degree at Temple University, although it need not be in a business discipline.

Statement of Goals:

Two essays are required. See the website of the Fox School of Business and Management at www.fox.temple.edu/mbams/faq.html.

Standardized Test Scores:

The GRE is required.  GRE scores should be at least in the 75th percentile on the quantitative section and in the 90th percentile on the verbal section.

Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted: 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based.

Program Requirements
Campus Location:

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are able to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m.

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 24

Required Courses:

STAT 601

STAT 602

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

Summer Research paper

Statistics Competency Examination:

An assessment of proficiency in statistical theory and methodology will be made at the end of the student's first year in the program. The examination is offered in June. Students who fail the Statistics competency examination on the first attempt must sit for reexamination prior to the fall semester of their second year. A second failure results in dismissal from the university.

Culminating Events:

Preliminary Examination:

The purpose of the preliminary examination is to demonstrate critical and interpretive knowledge of the student's dissertation research area. It should be taken when the student has completed the preliminary coursework for the examination. The subject areas are determined, in advance, by the faculty of the department. Members of the student's Dissertation Advising Committee then prepare the questions for the preliminary exam. Students who are preparing to write their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with their departmental advisor.

The student must answer every question during the examination in order to be evaluated. The department committee evaluates the examination. The evaluators look for a breadth and depth of understanding of specific research areas; a critical application of that knowledge to specific phenomena; and an ability to write technical prose. Each member votes to pass or fail the student. In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must agree that the exam has been satisfactorily completed.

Dissertation Proposal:

The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consist of the following: (a) the context and background surrounding a particular research problem; (b) an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem; and (c) a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem. The proposal should be completed and approved no more than one year after finishing coursework. Upon approval, a timeline for completing the investigation and writing process is established.

Dissertation:

The doctoral dissertation is an original empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's understanding of research methods and a mastery of her/his primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standards of the field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of business; and be prepared for publication in an academic journal.

The Dissertation Advising Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the student's department. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress; coordinating the responses of the committee members; and informing the student of her/his academic progress.

The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. The committee is comprised of the Dissertation Advising Committee and at least one additional faculty member from outside the department. The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's ability to express verbally her/his research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The committee members vote to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.

If any member decides to withdraw from a committee, the student shall notify the chair of the Dissertation Advising Committee and the director of the Ph.D. program. In consultation with the chair, the student is responsible to find a replacement. Inability to find a replacement shall constitute evidence that the student is unable to complete the dissertation. In such a case, s/he may petition the director of the program for a review. Upon review of the facts and circumstances, the director rules on the student's progress. If the director rules that the student is incapable of completing the dissertation, the student will be dismissed from the program. This decision may be appealed to the Senior Associate Dean of the Fox School. If the student is dismissed, s/he may appeal to the Graduate School.

Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should consult with their Dissertation Advising Committee on a time and date and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense. The Graduate Secretary will arrange the time, date, and room within two working days, and forward the appropriate forms to the student. After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date, and room for the defense, the student must send a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form to the Graduate School at least 10 working days before the defense. The department then posts flyers announcing the defense.

Contacts
Program Contact Information:

www.sbm.temple.edu/dept/statistics/graduate.html

Department Information:

Fox School of Business and Management

LL5 Speakman Hall (006-00)

1810 North 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

foxinfo@temple.edu
215-204-5890

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Natale Butto

Director of Graduate Admissions
foxinfo@temple.edu

215-204-5890

Program Coordinator:

Dr. Jagbir Singh
jagbir@temple.edu

215-204-6873

Graduate Chairperson:

Dr. Damaraju Raghavarao

draghava@temple.edu

215-204-8892

Chairperson:

Robert Bonner

Assistant Dean, MBA and MS Programs

bbonner@temple.edu

215-204-7678

About the Program

The primary purpose of the Ph.D. program in the Department of Statistics is to prepare statisticians for professional roles in research and application of statistics, operations research, or biostatistics. This activity may take place in academic, business, or government settings. The distinguishing characteristic of the Ph.D. program is its research dissertation. Consequently, a student entering the post-master's part of the program (i.e., becoming a doctoral student) must expect to embark on a more intense phase of preparation in the theory, methods, and application of statistics. In short, the doctoral program is designed for able students who are willing to undertake a program of advanced study and research.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location:

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are able to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

Fox School of Business and Management

LL5 Speakman Hall (006-00)

1810 North 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

foxinfo@temple.edu
215-204-5890

Interdisciplinary Study:

The program encourages interdisciplinary coursework, research, and interactions among faculty and students with interests in business, biology, and health sciences.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

Faculty members specialize and offer substantial coursework in the following areas: applications of statistics to the law, asymptotic theory, Bayesian inference, clinical trials, design of experiments, inequalities in statistics, linear and generalized linear models, methods in AIDS research and teratology, multiple comparisons, multivariate analysis, parametric and nonparametric inference, pharmaceutical statistics, quality control, ranking and selection, resampling methods, robust inference, statistical computing and graphics, survey sampling, survival analysis, and time series.

Job Placement:

The program is dedicated to producing well-trained statisticians who work as researchers in academia, industry, and government. In recent years, over half of our Ph.D. recipients found employment as statisticians in the pharmaceutical industry or in medical research organizations.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Qualified non-matriculated students are permitted to take doctoral courses.

Financing Opportunities

The principal duties of a Teaching Assistant include teaching, assisting faculty members in the classroom, and grading. An assistantship provides a stipend and tuition remission.

May 2006