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G-STA-PHD - Statistical Science - PhD

Degree designation.

The Department of Statistical Science at Duke University offers graduate study leading to PhD and MS degrees in statistical science. The PhD program offers thorough preparation in the theory and methods of statistics, with major emphases on modern, model-based statistical science, Bayesian and classical approaches to inference, computational statistics, and machine learning. A hallmark of the program is the integration of interdisciplinary applications into teaching and research, reflecting the department’s broad and deep engagements in leadership and innovation in statistical science and its intersections with many other areas, including the biomedical sciences, computational sciences, data and information sciences, economic and policy sciences, environmental sciences, engineering, machine learning, physical sciences, and social sciences. The rich opportunities for students in interdisciplinary statistical research at Duke are complemented by opportunities for engagement in research in summer projects with nonprofit agencies, industry, and academia.

For an up-to-date faculty list and description of graduate programs in statistical science visit the website at stat.duke.edu .

Traditional features of the curriculum include parallel development of theory and applications as well as coverage of specific biostatistical topic areas and ethical issues in the conduct of statistical and medical research. The core curriculum covers the principles of epidemiologic studies in detail.  Embedded throughout the curriculum are examples of conflict of interest situations faced by biostatisticians, along with principles of reproducible research and strategies for implementation.

The PhD program follows the  Duke Graduate School Academic Calendar .

View the timeline  for students  with  and  without  an Applicable Quantitative Master's Degree.  

For students with a Master's degree in Biostatistics, some of the required 700 level courses listed below may be waived if they have taken those courses or their equivalents previously. 

Required Knowledge in the Following Core Courses

This course provides a formal introduction to the basic theory and methods of probability and statistics. It covers topics in probability theory with an emphasis on those needed in statistics, including probability and sample spaces, independence, conditional probability, random variables, parametric families of distributions, and sampling distributions. Core concepts are mastered through mathematical exploration and linkage with the applied concepts studied in BIOSTAT 704. Prerequisite(s): 2 semesters of calculus or its equivalent (multivariate calculus preferred). Familiarity with linear algebras is helpful. Corequisite(s): BIOSTAT 702, BIOSTAT 703. Credits: 3

This course provides an introduction to study design, descriptive statistics, and analysis of statistical models with one or two predictor variables. Topics include principles of study design, basic study designs, descriptive statistics, sampling, contingency tables, one- and two-way analysis of variance, simple linear regression, and analysis of covariance. Both parametric and non-parametric techniques are explored. Core concepts are mastered through team-based case studies and analysis of authentic research problems encountered by program faculty and demonstrated in practicum experiences in concert with BIOSTAT 703. Computational exercises will use the R and SAS packages. Prerequisite(s): 2 semesters of calculus or its equivalent (multivariate calculus preferred). Familiarity with linear algebras is helpful. Corequisites(s): BIOSTAT 701, BIOSTAT 703, BIOSTAT 721. Credits: 3

  This course provides an introduction to biology at a level suitable for practicing biostatisticians and directed practice in techniques of statistical collaboration and communication. With an emphasis on the connection between biomedical content and statistical approach, this course helps unify the statistical concepts and applications learned in BIOSTAT 701 and BIOSTAT 702. In addition to didactic sessions on biomedical issues, students are introduced to different areas of biostatistical practice at Duke University Medical Center. Biomedical topics are organized around the fundamental mechanisms of disease from both evolutionary and mechanistic perspectives, illustrated using examples from infectious disease, cancer and chronic /degenerative disease. In addition, students learn how to read and interpret research and clinical trial papers. Core concepts and skills are mastered through individual reading and class discussion of selected biomedical papers, team-based case studies and practical sessions introducing the art of collaborative statistics. Corequisite(s): BIOSTAT 701, BIOSTAT 702. Credits: 3

The lab will be an extension of the course. The lab will be run like a journal club. The lab will instruct students how to dissect a research article from a statistical and scientific perspective. The lab will also give students the opportunity to present on material covered in the co-requisite course and to practice the communication skills that are a core tenant of the program. Corequisite(s): BIOSTAT 703 or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Credits: 0

This course provides formal introduction to the basic theory and methods of probability and statistics. It covers topics in statistical inference, including classical and Bayesian methods, and statistical models for discrete, continuous and categorical outcomes. Core concepts are mastered through mathematical exploration, simulations, and linkage with the applied concepts studied in BIOSTAT 705. Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 701 or its equivalent. Corequisite(s): BIOSTAT 705, BIOSTAT 706. Credits: 3

This course provides an introduction to general linear models and the concept of experimental designs. Topics include linear regression models, analysis of variance, mixed-effects models, generalized linear models (GLM) including binary, multinomial responses and log-linear models, basic models for survival analysis and regression models for censored survival data, and model assessment, validation and prediction. Core concepts are mastered through statistical methods application and analysis of practical research problems encountered by program faculty and demonstrated in practicum experiences in concert with BIOSTAT 706. Computational examples and exercises will use the SAS and R packages. Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 702 or its equivalent. Corequisite(s): BIOSTAT 704, BIOSTAT 706, BIOSTAT 722. Credits: 3

This course revisits the topics covered in BIOSTAT 703 in the context of high-throughput, high-dimensional studies such as genomics and transcriptomics. The course will be based on reading of both the textbook and research papers. Students will learn the biology and technology underlying the generation of “big data,” and the computational and statistical challenges associated with the analysis of such data sets. As with BIOSTAT 703, there will be strong emphasis on the development of communication skills via written and oral presentations. Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 703. Corequisite(s): BIOSTAT 704, BIOSTAT 705. Credits: 3

Introduction to concepts and techniques used in the analysis of time to event data, including censoring, hazard rates, estimation of survival curves, regression techniques, applications to clinical trials. Interval censoring, informative censoring, competing risks, multiple events and multiple endpoints, time dependent covariates; nonparametric and semi-parametric methods. Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 701, 702, 704, 705, and 721 or 722 or their equivalents, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Credits: 3

Topics include linear and nonlinear mixed models; generalized estimating equations; subject specific versus population average interpretation; and hierarchical model. Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 701, 702, 704, 705, and 721 or 722 or their equivalents, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Credits: 3

The class introduces the concept of exponential family of distributions and link function, and their use in generalizing the standard linear regression to accommodate various outcome types. Theoretical framework will be presented but detailed practical analyses will be performed as well, including logistic regression and Poisson regression with extensions. Majority of the course will deal with the independent observations framework. However, there will be substantial discussion of longitudinal/clustered data where correlations within clusters are expected. To deal with such data the Generalized Estimating Equations and the Generalized Linear Mixed models will be introduced. An introduction to a Bayesian analysis approach will be presented, time permitting.Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 701, 702, 704, 705, and 721 or 722 or their equivalents, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Credits: 3

Advanced seminar on topics at the research frontiers in biostatistics. Readings of current biostatistical research and presentations by faculty and advanced students of current research in their area of specialization. Instructor: O’Brien. 1 unit.

Introduction to linear models and linear inference from the coordinate-free viewpoint. Topics: identifiability and estimability, key properties of and results for finite-dimensional vector spaces, linear transformations, self-adjoint transformations, spectral theorem, properties and geometry of orthogonal projectors, Cochran's theorem, estimation and inference for normal models, distributional properties of quadratic forms, minimum variance linear unbiased estimation, Gauss-Markov theorem and estimation, calculus of differentials, analysis of variance and covariance. Prerequisite: Biostatistics 906. Instructor: Owzar. 3 units.

Introduce decision theory and optimality criteria, sufficiency, methods for point estimation, confidence interval and hypothesis testing methods and theory. Prerequisite: Biostatistics 704 or equivalent. Instructor consent required. Instructor: Xie. 3 units.

Student gains a holistic view of career choices and individual development plans including tools they will need to succeed as professionals in the world of work. The curriculum focuses on the unique challenges of PhD candidates and tools needed for successful careers in academia or in industry. May be repeated with consent of the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Instructor: Baker. 1 unit.

The theory for M- and Z- estimators and applications. Semiparametric models, geometry of efficient score functions and efficient influence functions, construction of semiparametric efficient estimators. Introduction to the bootstrap: consistency, inconsistency and remedy, correction for bias, and double bootstrap. U statistics and rank and permutation tests. Prerequisites: Statistical Sciences 711 and Biostatistics 906. Instructor: Li. 3 units.

The goal of this course is to provide motivated Ph.D. and master’s students with background knowledge of high-dimensional statistics/machine learning for their research, especially in their methodology and theory development. Discussions cover theory, methodology, and applications. Selected topics in this course include the basics of high-dimensional statistics, matrix and tensor modeling, concentration inequity, nonconvex optimization, applications in genomics, and biomedical informatics. Prerequisite: Knowledge in probability, inference, and basic algebra are required. Credits: 3

Introduction to probability spaces, the theory of measure and integration, random variables, and limit theorems. Distribution functions, densities, and characteristic functions; convergence of random variables and of their distributions; uniform integrability and the Lebesgue convergence theorems. Weak and strong laws of large numbers, central limit theorem. Prerequisite: elementary real analysis and elementary probability theory. Instructor: Staff. 3 units.

Elective Courses

This course surveys a number of techniques for high dimensional data analysis useful for data mining, machine learning and genomic applications, among others. Topics include principal and independent component analysis, multidimensional scaling, tree-based classifiers, clustering techniques, support vector machines and networks, and techniques for model validation. Core concepts are mastered through the analysis and interpretation of several actual high dimensional genomics datasets. Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 701, 702, 704, 705, and 721 or 722 or their equivalents, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Credits: 3

Topics include: history/background and process for clinical trial, key concepts for good statistics practice (GSP)/good clinical practice (GCP), regulatory requirement for pharmaceutical/clinical development, basic considerations for clinical trials, designs for clinical trials, classification of clinical trials, power analysis for sample size calculation, statistical analysis for efficacy evaluation, statistical analysis for safety assessment, implementation of a clinical protocol, statistical analysis plan, data safety monitoring, adaptive design methods in clinical trials (general concepts, group sequential design, dose finding design, and phase I/II or phase II/III seamless design) and controversial issues in clinical trials. Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 701, 702, 704, 705, and 721 or 722 or their equivalents, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Credits: 3

Methods for causal inference, including confounding and selection bias in observational or quasi-experimental research designs, propensity score methodology, instrumental variables, and methods for non-compliance in randomized clinical trials. Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 701, 702, 704, 705, and 721 or 722 or their equivalents, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Credits: 3

Topics from current and classical methods for assessing familiality and heritability, linkage analysis of Mendelian and complex traits, family-based and population-based association studies, genetic heterogeneity, epistasis, and gene-environmental interactions. Computational methods and applications in current research areas. The course will include a simple overview of genetic data, terminology, and essential population genetic results. Topics will include sampling designs in human genetics, gene frequency estimation, segregation analysis, linkage analysis, tests of association, and detection of errors in genetic data. Prerequisite(s): BIOSTAT 701, 702, 704, 705, and 721 or 722 or their equivalents, or permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Credits: 3

Theory and application of missing data methodology, ad hoc methods, missing data mechanism, selection models, pattern mixture models, likelihood-based methods, multiple imputation, inverse probability weighting, sensitivity analysis. Prerequisites: Statistical Science 711, 721, and 732, or consent of instructor. Instructor: Allen. 3 units.

Designed for PhD students in Biostatistics or DSS departments who may be interested in conducting methodological research in the area of Survival Data Analysis. Applications of counting process and martingale theory to right censored survival data. Applications of empirical process theory to more general and possibly more complex statistical models using nonparametric analysis of interval-censored data as illustrating examples. After completion, students are anticipated to understand the statistical method papers on survival analysis appearing in top tier statistical journals. Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 701, 704, and 713, or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Instructor: Wu. 3 units.

Introduction to diverse statistical design and analytical methods for randomized phase II clinical trials. Topics: Minimax, optimal, and admissible clinical trials Inference methods for phase II clinical trials; clinical trials with a survival endpoint; clinical trials with heterogeneous patient populations; and randomized phase II clinical trials. Instructor consent required. Instructor: Jung. 3 units.

Faculty directed statistical methodology research. Instructor consent required. Instructor: O’Brien. 1 unit.

Student gains practical experience by taking an internship in industry/government and writes a report about this experience. Requires prior consent from the student's advisor and from the Director of Graduate Studies. May be repeated with consent of the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Credit/no credit grading only. Instructor: O’Brien. 1 unit.

This course provides an introduction to the basic theory and application of empirical processes. Topics include: concepts of stochastic processes, Brownian motion and Brownian bridge process, stochastic integrals, weak convergence of sequences of random elements, convergence of empirical distribution functions, general Glivenko-Cantelli theorems and Donsker theorems, functional Delta method. An emphasis is put on applications in various biostatistical problems. Pre-requisites: Stat 711. Instructor: Li. Units: 3 

Introduction to probabilistic graphical models and structured prediction, with applications in genetics and genomics.  Hidden Markov Models, conditional random fields, stochastic grammars, Bayesian hierarchical models, neural networks, and approaches to integrative modeling.  Algorithms for exact and approximate inference.  Applications in DNA/RNA analysis, phylogenetics, sequence alignment, gene expression, allelic phasing and imputation, genome/epigenome annotation, and gene regulation. Department consent required. Instructor: Majoros. 3 units. C-L: Computational Biology and Bioinformatics 914.

Introduction to concepts in robabilistic machine learning with a focus on discriminative and hierarchical generative models. Topics include directed and undirected graphical models, kernel methods, exact and approximate parameter estimation methods, and structure learning. Prerequisites: Linear algebra, Statistical Science 250 or Statistical Science 611. Instructor: Heller, Mukherjee, or Reeves. 3 units. 

Principles of data analysis and modern statistical modeling. Exploratory data analysis. Introduction to Bayesian inference, prior and posterior distributions, predictive distributions, hierarchical models, model checking and selection, missing data, introduction to stochastic simulation by Markov Chain Monte Carlo using a higher level statistical language such as R or Matlab. Applications drawn from various disciplines. Not open to students with credit for Statistical Science 360. Prerequisite: Statistical Science 210, 230 and 250, or close equivalents. Instructor: Clyde, Dunson, Reiter, or Volfovsky. 3 units.

Statistical issues in causality and methods for estimating causal effects. Randomized designs and alternative designs and methods for when randomization is infeasible: matching methods, propensity scores, longitudinal treatments, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, and principal stratification. Methods are motivated by examples from social sciences, policy and health sciences. Instructor: Li or VolfovskyStatistical issues in causality and methods for estimating causal effects. Randomized designs and alternative designs and methods for when randomization is infeasible: matching methods, propensity scores, longitudinal treatments, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, and principal stratification. Methods are motivated by examples from social sciences, policy and health sciences. Instructor: Li or Volfovsky

Statistical modeling and machine learning involving large data sets and challenging computation. Data pipelines and data bases, big data tools, sequential algorithms and subsampling methods for massive data sets, efficient programming for multi-core and cluster machines, including topics drawn from GPU programming, cloud computing, Map/Reduce and general tools of distributed computing environments. Intense use of statistical and data manipulation software will be required. Data from areas such as astronomy, genomics, finance, social media, networks, neuroscience. Instructor consent required. Prerequisites: Statistics 521L, 523L; Statistics 531, 532 (or co-registration). (3 units)

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Ph.d. program.

Through a series of forward-looking initiatives, Duke Economics has transformed itself into a department that focuses on a distinctive intellectual vision of our discipline, a vision that combines methodological rigor with intellectual breadth and diversity — and an insistence on real-world relevance. As a student of our Ph.D. program, you are joining a community of economists that aspires to transform conventional assumptions and venture into areas of inquiry that transcend the traditional boundaries within the field of economics and between disciplines. There are many opportunities for interaction with related disciplines, including environmental economics in conjunction with the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, finance and regulation through the Fuqua School of Business, law and economics through the School of Law, public policy through the Sanford Institute of Public Policy, and statistics through the Statistical Sciences.

We strongly believe our graduate students will go on to become the next generation of intellectual leaders. To that end, most graduate-level classes — with the exception of the core courses — are sufficiently small so that each student gets individual faculty attention, and we offer countless opportunities for interaction with leading scholars from around the world. 

Our Program

Duke University offers a world-class doctoral program in economics, featuring a vibrant faculty of exceptional scholars and teachers along with superior research facilities. The faculty is dedicated to anchoring all teaching and research firmly in the core disciplines of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. The first year of the program lays the critical foundation necessary for later work in field courses and dissertation-level research.

See Requirements

• Fields of Study

The Department of Economics requires doctoral candidates to acquire certification in one major field and one minor field:

• Applied Microeconomics
• Econometrics
• History of Political Economy
• Macroeconomics and International Economics
• Microeconomic Theory

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For those interested in our program, learn more about our degree, our university, and our community. We'll explain the application process, financial support, and more.

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Phd program, find your passion for research.

Duke Computer Science gives incoming students an opportunity to investigate a range of topics, research problems, and research groups before committing to an advisor in the first year. Funding from the department and Duke makes it possible to attend group meetings, seminars, classes and colloquia. Students may work on multiple problems simultaneously while finding the topic that will motivate them through their first project. Sharing this time of learning and investigation with others in the cohort helps create lasting collaborators and friends.

Write a research proposal the first year and finish the research the second under the supervision of the chosen advisor and committee; present the research results to the committee and peers. Many students turn their RIP work into a conference paper and travel to present it.

Course work requirements are written to support the department's research philosophy. Pass up to four of the required six courses in the first two years to give time and space for immersing oneself in the chosen area.

Years three through five continue as the students go deeper and deeper into a research area and their intellectual community broadens to include collaborators from around the world. Starting in year three, the advisor funds the student's work, usually through research grants. The Preliminary exam that year is the opportunity for the student to present their research to date, to share work done by others on the topic, and to get feedback and direction for the Ph.D. from the committee, other faculty, and peers.

Most Ph.D students defend in years five and six. While Duke and the department guarantee funding through the fifth year, advisors and the department work with students to continue support for work that takes longer.

Teaching is a vital part of the Ph.D. experience. Students are required to TA for two semesters, although faculty are ready to work with students who want more involvement. The Graduate School's Certificate in College Teaching offers coursework, peer review, and evaluation of a teaching portfolio for those who want to teach. In addition, the Department awards a Certificates of Distinction in Teaching for graduating PhD students who have demonstrated excellence in and commitment to teaching and mentoring.

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