The PhD in Statistics prepares students for a career pursuing research in either academia or industry. The program provides rigorous classroom training in the theory, methodology, and application of statistics, and provides the opportunity to work with faculty on advanced research topics over a wide range of theory and application areas.
Degree Requirements
The requirements for obtaining an PhD in Statistics can be found on the associated page of the BU Bulletin.
- Courses: All Ph.D. students in the statistics track must take the following two-semester sequences: MA779 and MA780 (Probability Theory I and II), MA781 (Estimation Theory) and MA782 (Hypothesis Testing), and MA750 and MA751 (Advanced Statistical Methods I and II). In addition to the required courses listed on the BU Bulletin page, the remaining coursework can be chosen from the graduate courses we offer here. Students can also request to use courses from other departments to satisfy some of these requirements. Please contact your advisor for more information about which courses can be used in this way. All courses must be passed with a grade of B- or higher.
- Qualifying Examination: To qualify a student to begin work on a PhD dissertation, students must pass two of the following three exams at the PhD level: probability, mathematical statistics, and applied statistics. The probability and mathematical statistics exams are offered every October and the applied statistics exam is offered every April.
- PhD Exam in Probability: This exam covers the material covered in MA779 and MA780 (Probability Theory I and II).
- PhD Exam in Mathematical Statistics: This exam covers material covered in MA781 (Estimation Theory) and MA782 (Hypothesis Testing).
- PhD Exam in Applied Statistics: This exam covers the same material as the M.A. Applied comprehensive exam (see the MA degree requirements) and is offered at the same time, except that in order to pass it at the PhD level a student must correctly solve all four problems.
Note: Students concentrating in probability may choose to do so either through the statistics track or through the mathematics track. If a student wishes to do so through the mathematics track, the course and exam requirements are different. Details are available here.
- Dissertation and Final Oral Examination: This follows the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree.
Admissions
Admissions information can be found on the BU Arts and Sciences PhD Admissions website.
Financial Aid
Our department funds our PhD students through a combination of University fellowships, teaching fellowships, and faculty research grants. More information will be provided to admitted students.
More Information
Please reach out to us directly at mathdept@math.bu.edu if you have further questions.