PhD Course

Statistical Sciences

Thematic area Hard Sciences
Duration 3 years
Language English
PhD Programme Coordinator Nicola Sartori

The PhD Course in Statistics aims at training specialists in the fields of data management and analysis and leads to a wide range of career opportunities, both in academic and research institutions.

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The doctoral programme aims to train international specialists in the fields of data management and data analysis. The programme leads to a wide range of career opportunities, both at academic level and in other highly qualified research institutions.

The study project of the doctoral course is carried out according to the following steps.

Start of activities. On arrival, students are informed of the regulations and the course programme for the first few months. Each student is assigned a tutor, who is available to help and guide them in their choice of research topic for the second and third year.

First-year programme. The basic first-year programme comprises a core of five compulsory courses covering advanced mathematics, probability theory, computer programming, statistical theory and modelling. In addition, a number of specialised modules are offered, covering a range of more advanced topics. A side objective of the courses during the first year is to train students in group work, seminar presentations and the preparation of scientific papers. At the end of the first year, the Academic Board assesses doctoral students for admission to the second year. Admission is conditional on achieving a satisfactory level in the first year's activities. For each of the five core modules, assessment is based on a final examination. By September of the first year, students admitted to the second year propose to the Academic Board their research programme to be developed during the second and third years. Students may join local research groups or start an independent research project. The PhD programme and the Department of Statistical Sciences can provide a suitable research environment for this. Broad areas of research include: statistical methodology and its applications; statistical and econometric methods; social statistics; demography. After approval of the project, the Academic Board assigns a supervisor to each PhD student.

Research programme in the second and third year. The research activity in the second and third year is the distinctive feature of the PhD programme and is aimed at achieving independent research capabilities. During the second and third years up to 12 months may be spent at a university or other highly qualified institution abroad. Students are strongly encouraged to include a period of research abroad in their programme, taking advantage of the national and international collaborative networks of the members of the Doctoral Board.

The result of the research must be presented as a thesis containing original scientific results relevant to the field of statistics and its applications.