Skip to main content

Prospective Students

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites for admission to the program:

  • Bachelor's degree in Statistics/Mathematics or other related disciplines, with prior coursework in calculus, linear algebra and probability theory. Students from other disciplines with strong quantitative skills are also highly encouraged to apply.
  • Standard application processes and test reports as required for the Ph.D. in Statistics

FAQS

Why should I apply to this program?

The joint Ph.D. program in Biostatistics will provide solid training in the theory of probability and statistics/biostatistics and will offer hands-on experience in collaborative research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. This program will be unique in its emphasis on the theoretical foundations of statistical reasoning, as well as in the requirement that graduates have a scientific minor in one of the many important biomedical fields.

How do I apply?

Applicants must meet or exceed the minimum standards of the UMBC Graduate School. The students are encouraged to fill out the pre-application form at http://www.umbc.edu/circ/hosting/department/preappform.php.

Information regarding the graduate programs, application process, costs, etc., are given at the UMBC graduate school's web site. Please, visit the Math Department for general information about the statistics program. The UMBC graduate school requires:

  1. Application (can be done online)
  2. Three letters of reference
  3. Transcripts/marks for all degrees
  4. GRE scores sent directly from ETS
  5. For international students: TOEFL scores sent directly from ETS

All documents must be sent directly to the UMBC graduate school.  

On which campus will I be taking classes?

Students attend classes and seminars on both campuses. Courses with the prefix STAT are taught at UMBC; those with the prefix PREV are taught at the School of Medicine.

What are the program requirements?

The program requirements of the Statistics Ph.D. program are 1) A Ph.D. level pass in the written comprehensive examination 2) Passing the doctoral qualifying oral examination 3) Admission to candidacy 4) Completion of the residency requirements 5) Completion and successful defense of a Ph.D. dissertation. The current statistics Ph.D. program requires the students, in consultation with respective advisors and the graduate program director, to focus their coursework on a subfield of statistics. The proposed Biostatistics track is essentially a pre-approved cluster of coursework that would prepare the students for writing a dissertation in Biostatistics with a substantial exposure to applications. Find out more on the program overview page.

Whom should I contact if I have more questions?

You can find a list of contacts here