The qualifying exam process consists of:
- Exams in probability (December) and theoretical statistics (May). Students who do not pass an exam in their first year of study have the option of a retake the following year.
- Oral exam: scheduled individually for each student, exploring research in an area of interest that might lead to an eventual dissertation topic. Students should approach faculty (with advice from the DGS) about scheduling an exam at a convenient time before the end of their second year.
- Practical Exam: a written report on an analysis of a data set, held during a five-day period in December, following the end of classes, or as a capstone project for S&DS 6250 at the discretion of the instructor and DGS. Students are expected to be comfortable with R, and have had experience at working with real data. Most students gain that experience from a combination of Stat 6610, 6250, and participation in the statistical consulting clinic (Stat 6270–6280).
Oral Performance Assessment (OPA)
This assessment is designed to measure your ability to communicate in English in an instructional format. The topics are drawn from your field of study and are suggested by your advisor or your DGS.
Please visit the Center for Language Study website for more information and for test dates.