Doctoral Curriculum

This program is designed for students who desire academic research careers. The foundation is a sequence of courses in probability, mathematical statistics, linear models and statistical computing. The program also encourages study in a cognate area of application.

Up to four courses per semester may be counted toward the overall requirement of 13 courses. The six core courses are usually taken in the first year.

 

Sample Program Sequence

Years 1 and 2
  • Coursework
  • Examination
  • Research Papers
  • Research Activities
  • Completion of Other Requirements by Field
Year 1

Fall: STAT 9300, STAT 9610, STAT 9700
Spring: STAT 9270, STAT 9310, STAT 9710,
Summer: Qualifying Exam and First-Year Paper

Year 2

Fall: Two Electives
Spring: Three Electives
Summer: Second-Year Paper

 Year 3
  • Directed Reading & Research
  • Admission to Candidacy
  • Formulation of Research Topic
Fall: Independent Study Course, Two Electives, Oral Exam/Thesis Proposal
Spring: Electives or Directed Study Units
 Year 4
  • Continued Research
  • Oral Examination
  • Dissertation
Independent Study and Dissertation Research

Electives must include suitable courses numbered 9000 and above, when offered.

 

The Program for the PhD Includes Six Core Courses in the 2023-2024 Academic Year

STAT 9270 Bayesian Statistics
STAT 9300 Probability
STAT 9310 Stochastic Processes
STAT 9610 Statistical Methodology
STAT 9700 Mathematical Statistics
STAT 9710 Introduction to Linear Statistical Models

More advanced students choose from among various elective courses offered by the faculty of the Statistics and Data Science Department and other departments at the University. There is also considerable opportunity to take individually-structured reading courses with faculty in the department.

 

Student Involvement in the Department

In addition to formal coursework, the student is expected to participate in the informal intellectual life of the Department of Statistics and Data Science. This includes attendance at departmental colloquia, where visiting speakers describe current research, plus participation in informal seminars investigating current topics of interest in a non-course setting.

Department of Statistics and Data Science

The Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania
Academic Research Building
265 South 37th Street, 3rd & 4th Floors
Philadelphia, PA 19104-1686

Phone: (215) 898-8222

Students