STUDENT HANDBOOK

PhD PROGRAM: FIRST-YEAR COMPREHENSIVE WRITTEN EXAM AND DATA ANALYSIS PROJECT

The Department supports its students in their successful completion of the academic program of their choice. The Department offers a comprehensive written examination at the end of the first year (usually about ten days after the end of fourth term, on the first Monday in June). The written portion of the examination is approximately four hours long and consists of questions that test competency in the core areas of methods and applications, probability, statistical theory, and advanced probability. There is also a take-home data analysis project that serves to test students' competency in analyzing and interpreting results from data relevant to health.

An evaluation of student progress is made by faculty at the end of the first year.  Performance in coursework and on the qualifying exam and data analysis project are synthesized.  Based upon this review, students are invited to continue on towards the PhD degree or to complete a terminal master's degree.


Back to Student Handbook: PhD | Back to Departmental Home Page