carol_hh
小女子为遗传学博士，一直向往统计学可惜只上过一门医学统计的课程。
现在越来越觉得自己不适合做纯生物科研，想请教一下大家，各位统计高人平日里都是做什么？是想我想的那样对着一堆数据用SAS劈哩啪啦处理一番吗？太酷了！
一直想往去米国读个统计学位。不知道是否够格以及现在要恶补什么数学课程？读书的时候数学一直都不错的，学过高等代数，好像考了九十几分；统计学也考了全班最高分呢，不知道大家觉得我还有没有戏改这个行呀？？？
多谢多谢！
xuanie
Here is the Minimum Requirements for University of Michigan Biostats department:
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A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
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Applicants for the Doctoral Program must have a relevant Master's Degree (i.e. a graduate degree comparable to our M.S. in Biostatistics). There is a fast track available within the Master’s program for those intending to go on to our Ph.D. program.
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Math prerequisites are three semesters of calculus, a course in matrix or linear algebra, and an introductory course in statistics or biostatistics. Students with less preparation in mathematics or statistics may be conditionally admitted.
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All applicants for any of the programs are required to submit GRE scores. The scores must be from within the last 5 years.
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Applicants whose native language is not English are required to present evidence of competency in English (TOEFL or MELAB scores) with their application. However, if a non-native English speaker has been granted a degree in an English speaking institution, the TOEFL or MELAB test is not required. Please refer to the Admissions page for international applicants for details on English proficiency requirements and other requirements specific to international students.
xuanie
Usually the master degree in BioStats has the following coursework:
The Masters of Science (MS) and Masters of Public Health (MPH) Programs
The MS and MPH programs both require 48 credit hours and are designed for completion in 4 terms (2 years). The two programs have identical requirements in biostatistics but differ in their other requirements. Both programs include the following (or equivalent) courses:
A. Core courses in Biostatistics (22 credit hours)
Courses Credits Title Usual Term
BIOS 601 4 Probability and Distribution Theory Fall, Year 1
BIOS 602 4 Biostatistical Inference Winter, Year 1
BIOS 650 4 Applied Statistics I: Linear Regression Fall, Year 1
BIOS 651 3 Applied Statistics II: Generalized Linear Models Winter, Year 1
BIOS 653 3 Applied Statistics III: ANOVA and Linear Mixed Models Winter, Year 1
BIOS 699 4 Analysis of Biostatistical Investigations Winter, Year 2
B. Electives in Biostatistics or Statistics (12 credit hours)
At least 12 additional credit hours of Biostatistics or Statistics courses are required in addition to the core courses. They may be selected from Biostatistics at the 600/800 level or from Statistics at the 500/600 level.
C. Epidemiology Requirement
All students in the School of Public Health are required to demonstrate competency in biostatistics and epidemiology. The epidemiology requirement may be satisfied in any one of the following ways:
1. Completing Epidemiology 503 (Winter) or Epidemiology 600 (Fall).
2. For students with a background in epidemiology, completing Epidemiology 601 (Fall), starting Fall 2008. (will be taught winter 2008.
3. Taking and passing the Epidemiology 503 exemption examination.
4. Completing Epidemiology 516 and any necessary prerequisites to that course.
The fourth option (Epidemiology 516) is available to MS student but not to MPH students.
D1. Cognate Requirements
(MS students only)
MS students must complete at least 9 hours of course work in a cognate area. This should consist of a coherent set of courses in an area (or in related areas) of application of biostatistics; the courses should be approved for graduate credit and may be from more than one department. Cognate courses should be primarily applied as opposed to mathematics/statistical in nature. For example, courses in areas such as mathematics, statistics, operational research, computer science, econometrics and psychometrics would most likely not qualify as cognate courses. Courses from other departments in Public Health or in areas such as genetics, biology, psychology, economics and many other similar areas will likely qualify as cognate courses. Courses in Bioinformatics that are biological or experimental in nature would typically count toward the cognate, whereas those that are more quantitative or technical would not. Courses taken to satisfy the epidemiology requirement count toward the cognate requirement. Faculty advisors can provide guidance and recommend approval of cognate courses. If questions arise on review by Student Services, the Curriculum Committee will make the final decision.
Waivers of cognate requirements . It is possible to have cognate courses taken in a graduate program elsewhere recognized and to receive a partial or complete waiver. It should be noted, however, that if the previously taken courses were applied toward a degree, the required credit hours for the UM degree will not be reduced. A waiver of cognate requirements should be discussed with your advisor and must be approved by the Curriculum Committee and all requests must go through the Department's Student Services office.
D2. Breadth, Integration and Capstone Requirements
(MPH students only)
All MPH students in the School of Public Health are required to take coursework for the breadth and integration of knowledge, and a capstone activity. BIOS 699, one of the Core Biostatistics courses, serves for integration of knowledge and as the capstone activity in Biostatistics. To satisfy the Breadth requirement, MPH students in Biostatistics are required to take at least 3 Public Health related courses each of at least 2 hours of credit. One of these courses must be in epidemiology and the other two must be from two other departments (not biostatistics, statistics, or mathematics). These courses are usually from the School of Public Health, but for example, could also include courses from the School of Public Policy, the Department of Economics, or the School of Natural Resources, if they are appropriately oriented towards Public Health. Including the general Epidemiology requirement, at least 12 credit hours of such coursework is required. Each student's program must be approved by the Biostatistics curriculum committee in order to assure that the course work is related to Public Health.
Sample Programs of Study for Master's Students
There are two sequences of study a Master's student may choose to follow. Please see Table 1 for the standard sequence of required courses for Master's students who intend to complete their graduate study with a Master's degree.
Please see Table 2 for a sample sequence of courses for Master's students who intend to continue in the PhD program.
Joint Master's Program
Students in a joint Master's program between Biostatistics and another area of study have the same core courses as students with a single major in Biostatistics. However, they are required to complete only three elective courses in Biostatistics (9 credit hours).
(back to programs and degrees)
xuanie
Applied Stats Program
Masters in Applied Statistics
The Masters in Applied Statistics is intended to equip the student for a career as an applied statistician working in government, industry, research organizations, engineering and consulting firms, health care organizations, public utilities, and so on.
These degree programs are not interdepartmental programs, although they do rely, in part, on courses offered by the Biostatistics, Computer Science, Economics, Industrial and Operations Engineering, Mathematics, Sociology, and other Departments.
We recommend that a prospective student has had some calculus, linear algebra, and one course each in probability and mathematical statistics. Students without these prerequisite courses will generally elect them in their first year, with no credit toward the requirements for the degree.
For other admission requirements, see the section on Admission earlier in this brochure.
The Curriculum
The program consists of at least 30 credit hours (10 courses) of graduate studies. You may take more than 10 courses. Core courses in the program are
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Statistics 500 Applied Statistics I
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Biostatistics 601, 602 Probability and Theoretical Statistics
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Statistics 504 Statistical Consulting
and any four from Statistics 406, 430, 501, 503, 526, 531, 535, 550, 560, 570, 580, or any approved 600 or higher level Statistics course. Substitutions are allowed with approval from the Graduate Chair.
Two graduate level cognate courses (taken outside the Department of Statistics or cross-listed with another department) must also be taken. These courses must be approved by the Graduate Chair.
Options and Cognate Courses
Here are some suggestions for optional and cognate courses. You are not restricted to the courses listed below. We are also open to specializations in other areas.
Survey Sampling Option
The use of sample surveys to obtain information on a myriad of subjects is becoming ever more popular. The demand for statisticians trained in this subarea is extremely high. The University of Michigan has, in various departments and in the Institute for Social Research, the faculty talent to be able to offer one of the best programs in the country.
Under this option, we suggest students should elect Statistics 580 (Theory of Sampling) and Statistics 502 (Analysis of Categorical Data). (Note that Statistics 580 is cross-listed as Biostatistics 617 and as Sociology 717. The course has recently been taught most frequently by Biostatistics.) Other possible courses are
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Sociology 612 -- Methods of Survey Sampling
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Sociology 613 -- Advanced Methods of Survey Sampling
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Sociology 621 -- Workshop on Sampling Techniques
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Sociology 711 -- Questionnaire Design, Interviewing and Coding
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Other courses in sample survey offered by the Department of Sociology or the Institute for Social Research.
Actuarial Science Option
The University of Michigan has enjoyed, since 1905, the reputation of having one of the best actuarial programs offered anywhere. There is also a continuing demand for statisticians specializing in actuarial science.
Under this option a student should consider the following options
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Statistics 550 -- Bayesian Decision Analysis
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Mathematics 520 -- Life Contingencies I
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Mathematics 521 -- Life Contingencies II
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Mathematics 523 -- Risk Theory
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Biostatistics 675 -- Survival Analysis
Econometrics and Forecasting Option
Another subarea of increasing importance involves the uses of statistical and econometric models in predicting or forecasting various phenomena, economic and otherwise.
Under this option the following courses should be considered:
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Stat 576/ Econ 679 -- Econometric Theory II
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Statistics 531 -- Statistical Analysis of Time Series
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Economics 501 -- Microeconomic Theory
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Economics 502 -- Applied Macroeconomics
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Economics 671 -- Econometric Analysis
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Economics 675 -- Applied Econometrics
Some students electing this option may have the opportunity to obtain further experience and training by serving an apprenticeship in the Seminar in Quantitative Economics run by the Department of Economics.
Industrial Statistics Option
With American industry becoming increasingly aware of the need to assure quality by the application of statistical methodology and of the uses of statistics in basic research, the demand for statisticians having interests in this area is increasing.
Under this option a student should consider the following courses:
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Statistics 535 -- Reliability
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IOE 515 -- Stochastic Industrial Processes
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IOE 645 -- Reliability, Replacement and Maintenance
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Other Engineering courses
Statistical Computing Option
With the computer revolution, there is increasing pressure to apply new computing technology in statistics. With present-day computing capabilities and graphics it is possible to implement and apply statistical analyses which were inconceivable not very long ago. There is a very large demand, and virtually no supply, for individuals with training in modern statistical computing.
The following courses are suggested:
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Mathematics 571 -- Numerical Analysis
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EECS courses depending on interest and ability.
xuanie
Regular Master in Stats Program
MASTER'S DEGREE
Please note that this Program was updated in April 2001 and supercedes previous versions
The regular Masters degree (Master of Arts in Statistics) is regarded by the Department as an embedded degree earned while a student is working towards a Ph.D. degree in Statistics or as a dual degree earned while a student is working towards a Ph.D. degree in another field. A student who is interested in only a Masters degree in Statistics should apply to the Masters Program in Applied Statistics, and not to this program.
Within the Masters program there are several options, and some flexibility within each option. Specific degree requirements for each of these options are to be detailed below.
Application and Admission
Applicants must have already been accepted in a Rackham graduate program. The student is expected to have a working knowledge of calculus, linear algebra, and introductory probability and statistics. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with the Graduate Chair in the Statistics prior to application. Students should apply by submitting a Change in Status form to the Statistics Graduate Chair. Admission will be determined by the Statistics Graduate Chair (in consultation with the "Statistics Coordinator" in the student's program where appropriate). The application must also be approved by the Graduate advisor in the student's home department. Applications are accepted at any time.
Curriculum
This program requires a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work that includes two cognate courses. The program must be approved by the Graduate Chair and must include the following courses:
1.
Statistics 500 (Applied Statistics 1) and Statistics 503 (Applied Multivariate Analysis). (6 credit hours)
2.
Biostatistics 601/ Biostatistics 602 (Probability/Theoretical Statistics) or Statistics 610 (Statistical Inference) and Statistics 611 (Large Sample Theory). (minimum 6 credit hours)
3.
Two statistics courses from graduate-level courses listed by the Statistics Department. (6 credit hours).
4.
Two cognate courses from another department. (minimum 4 credit hours)
More advanced courses may be substituted for required courses by well-prepared students in the Ph.D. program. In addition, a student who has completed courses that substantially overlap with any of the required courses may, with permission, substitute other graduate courses in Statistics or closely related fields for them.
Options in Other Departments
The Departments of Statistics has agreements with the Departments of Economics, Psychology, and Sociology, and the School of Education whereby a doctoral student in any of these disciplines may earn a Masters degree in Statistics. Each of these academic units has a "Statistics Coordinator" serving as consultant to the Graduate Chair in the Department of Statistics. A doctoral student in any other department may receive special counseling toward a Masters degree in Statistics by applying to the Statistics Department Graduate Chair.
Option in Econometrics
A doctoral student in the Department of Economics must replace the core requirements A and C by, C. Four statistics courses from graduate-level courses listed by the Statistics Department. (12 credit hours). At least 12 of the minimum 24 credit hours of course work must be obtained by enrolling in graduate-level statistics courses listed with Statistics as the home department. Special arrangements can also be made with permission of the Graduate Chair in consultation with the "Statistics Coordinator" in Economics.
Option in Psychology
Core requirements C & D provide flexibility to create a program of study that complements the student's research interests. Statistics 414 cannot be used to satisfy core requirements C& D. Special arrangements can also be made with permission of the Graduate Chair in consultation with the "Statistics Coordinator" in Psychology.
Option in Sociology
It is recommended that a doctoral student in the Department of Sociology take advanced statistical methodology classes such as Sociology 542 or Survey Methodology 612 to fulfill the cognate requirement (D). Special arrangements can also be made with permission of the Graduate Chair in consultation with the "Statistics Coordinator" in Sociology.
Option in Quantitative Methods in Education
It is recommended that a doctoral student in the Quantitative Methods in Education program of the School of Education take Education 637. He/she may use Education 637 toward the cognate requirement (D). Special arrangements can also be made with permission of the Graduate Chair in consultation with the "Statistics Coordinator" in Education.
foison
额滴神，你有 phd还去读master....
xuanie
[quote]引用第5楼foison于2008-06-17 05:05发表的“”:
额滴神，你有 phd还去读master....[/quote]
就是呀……
用我们Prof的话来说，读PhD就是买一栋永远不住的房子
读了PhD还去读其他的就是买了一栋不住的房子，然后一把火烧掉再买一栋不住的房子……
carol_hh
多谢xuanie贴了这么多资料，真是神人呀，你在国外吧？不然一定要好好休息呀！
foison，xuanie，我这个打算主要是基于这几个原因：
1、我是做生物基础研究的，整天的工作就是看文献做试验，在国内要想混得好必须背靠大树，也就是大老板，然后自己打入圈子里边做成小老板。说实话，我老板们对我都很不错，但是看他们整天为了经费忙于应酬，根本背离了学术的意义，觉得无奈，不想落入这个怪圈。如果去国外继续这个行当，就是Postdoc——Associate prof，依旧是整天写标书，看PAPER，做试验，压榨手下。。。Postdoc的行情大约是30K/年（美刀）。有的人升不上教授的，一辈子就不断做。
2、目前快三十了，折腾了一圈还是单身，又有点愤青，不懂得左右逢源，对中国的厚黑学送礼学啥的一窍不通，于是觉得似乎去国外发展才是真正适合自己的道路。
3、既然想去国外，又不太想完全做本行，就寻思改什么行比较好。统计似乎还能跟原专业沾边，而且自己的数学和软件应用都还不坏，并且，是那种特爱学习，尤其是爱听老师讲课的人，因此才有这个打算。
至于学费问题（听说奖学金很难拿），就业问题，前景问题，一概不知，所以还请各位行家多多指点呀！
多谢！
sorrylike
[quote]引用第7楼carol_hh于2008-06-17 10:27发表的“”:
多谢xuanie贴了这么多资料，真是神人呀，你在国外吧？不然一定要好好休息呀！
foison，xuanie，我这个打算主要是基于这几个原因：
1、我是做生物基础研究的，整天的工作就是看文献做试验，在国内要想混得好必须背靠大树，也就是大老板，然后自己打入圈子里边做成小老板。说实话，我老板们对我都很不错，但是看他们整天为了经费忙于应酬，根本背离了学术的意义，觉得无奈，不想落入这个怪圈。如果去国外继续这个行当，就是Postdoc——Associate prof，依旧是整天写标书，看PAPER，做试验，压榨手下。。。Postdoc的行情大约是30K/年（美刀）。有的人升不上教授的，一辈子就不断做。
-----不只是生物行业是这样的,别的学科也是一样的,而且美国也同样是靠关系,和教授的关系,和评审会的关系,哪里都一样.
2、目前快三十了，折腾了一圈还是单身，又有点愤青，不懂得左右逢源，对中国的厚黑学送礼学啥的一窍不通，于是觉得似乎去国外发展才是真正适合自己的道路。
------国外也是需要和人打交道,只是环境稍微宽松,而且进入美国的上层更难,关系到全世界那里都行得通.
3、既然想去国外，又不太想完全做本行，就寻思改什么行比较好。统计似乎还能跟原专业沾边，而且自己的数学和软件应用都还不坏，并且，是那种特爱学习，尤其是爱听老师讲课的人，因此才有这个打算。
------考虑到你已经博士了,如果转行,master出来之后年纪大了,如果做科研,还得再读,等于重新开始,如果工作,年纪是个问题.
.......[/quote]
carol_hh
多谢sorrylike。
其实原因也很复杂，自己这么多年，也走了很多弯路，很多伤心往事；反正说过来倒过去就是不想在国内呆着了。当然我还是很爱国的。只是我必须远离这里的一些人和事。
所以就考虑出路，原先打算移民加国；但是又觉太过冷清，感觉还是美国比较好。我还不算老吧？我同学跟我一样大的，美国博士毕业，发了Cell（我们这行的TOP1杂志），但还是决定改行学医（我们本科不是医学专业）。我觉得应该就业歧视没有这么严重吧？
反正大不了先做本行博后，慢慢闯吧。我现在真的几乎没有后路，只有往前冲，死了就死了，反正现在跟死了也差不多。所以还是请各位高人多多指点，Master应该很快吧，两年大概能拿到吧？比我同学学医的应该快多了吧？？要么，弟兄们再给指个好专业或者明路啥的？
xuanie
怎么说呢，不管是统计还是生物统计这几年在美国找工作都不是问题。但是有一些问题始终是无法回避的。一般Master毕业一年5，6万肯定不是问题。但是我个人觉得这个收入在美国也只是30年的房奴加很普通的生活。而且正如sorrylike所说，在美国一切同样看关系，看人脉。几个关于学统计的留在美国比较现实的问题：
1 说白了中国人在国外找工作竞争对手只有中国人，现在中国人学统计的非常多，和他们竞争我们有些优势并不明显，比如说数学基础，比如说编程……
2 中国人在美国很少能有美国人那样的人脉，所以什么都得硬碰硬。就像我今年实习，投了快30份简历才找到一个，但是美国人有的只要父母打个电话就解决了。我得到的结论是，在美国找工作，你得比外国人好10倍（要不然没人愿意为你申请工作签证），同时你还得比一起竞争的中国人优秀很多，你要的钱还不能比任何人高……
无痕
呵呵，难得有讨论讨论出国事宜的。哎，出国读书还成，就业嘛，还是好复杂
carol_hh
xuanie也是学生物改统计的？拜一下～～～
再请教各位老大，回国就业的情势又如何呢？
zixiumei
哇哇！！这么多的高人啊！！
xuanie
[quote]引用第12楼carol_hh于2008-06-18 10:14发表的“”:
xuanie也是学生物改统计的？拜一下～～～
再请教各位老大，回国就业的情势又如何呢？[/quote]
没有
我是Stats和Econs的双专业本科而已……
carol_hh
xuanie，你是在国外读的Stats本科吗？学费高吗？是不是奖学金很难拿？
另，貌似经济方面很好找工作而且薪水不错。
各位老大请别笑话我的无知，在国内一很封闭的研究所呆了快八年，混了个学位，人也给关得更傻了。赶紧给小妹扫扫盲吧！
xuanie
[quote]
引用第15楼carol_hh于2008-06-18 20:32发表的“”:
xuanie，你是在国外读的Stats本科吗？学费高吗？是不是奖学金很难拿？
另，貌似经济方面很好找工作而且薪水不错。
各位老大请别笑话我的无知，在国内一很封闭的研究所呆了快八年，混了个学位，人也给关得更傻了。赶紧给小妹扫扫盲吧！[/quote]
The tuition is expensive for international students, University of Michigan is a public university so they do not offer scholarship to Internation undergraduate students. I was partially sponsored by a Singapore agency and the rest are paid by my parents--in this sense, you can say I am on Daddy & Mommy Scholarship...
As for finding a job in America, I think it does not make a difference what major you are for international students who only have an undergraduate degree--it will be equally hard. This because the company who hires international student will have to sponsor their work visa, and the visa has a strict quota and is mainly reserved for graduate students.
But anyway, I am heading for graduate school after getting my unergrad degree... and I would have to say that my path differs from most Chinese students in US, so it's not a representative sample...
I have also posted something here about my past experience...
http://cos.name/bbs/read.php?tid=9582
colinisstudent
是否可以考虑加入置顶然后邀请xuanie到这个版来当版主?
PS:我对Man Utd 也很感兴趣
losttemple
不看好，你数学功底不够，太难了。
你要现实一点，都30了混混嫁了得了
carol_hh
[quote]引用第18楼losttemple于2008-06-19 13:24发表的“”:
不看好，你数学功底不够，太难了。
你要现实一点，都30了混混嫁了得了[/quote]
嘿嘿，多谢老大坦诚相告。只是不知道数学需要到什么程度？我还可以学嘛，我最喜欢的就是学习了，学生没当够。而且，我的数学基础还是不错的，竞赛曾经全市第一（当然是N年以前的事情了。。。）。英语也不错，尤其是口语和听力不错。我在美国呆过一段时间，我觉得跟他们交流没什么问题。而且，如果真的决策了，我大概有一年左右的时间可以拿着工资又有比较空余的时间，我打算利用这些时间去高校补课。听说人大的统计不错？不知道清华有相关专业没？
其实混得挺惨的，只是穷则思变，又觉得虽然老大不小了但是比起七老八十似乎还有一点拼的力气。人总得给自己找点希望吧？至于嫁人，情况太复杂了，北京70年代出生的待嫁女性都70万了，我虽然不算丑，要求也不是很高，但学历太高，专业所限交际圈子小，又是有故事的；不指望了，一切随缘吧。
这就是我这个倒霉蛋大白痴高分低能儿的基本情况，说老实话，挺想要个孩子的，实在不行再过几年找诺贝尔精子库得了。
特别感谢各位负责人回我帖子的热心人，告诉我一个真实的世界。或者，如果大家觉得我改学统计不合适，能否告知我改什么稍微合适些就业也方便些？
PS.我师妹跟他老公去了密歇根，打算改会计，据说学费死贵。我师嫂文科出身，改学精算了，学费死死贵。
