The Department of Statistics offers several graduate degree programs, including the MS and PhD in Statistics and the Master of Applied Statistics (MAS) degree. It jointly administers a unique Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Biostatistics with the Division of Biostatistics in the College of Public Health. The department aims to contribute to virtually all areas of statistical science, including the development of novel statistical theory and methodology. Specific areas of excellence include Bayesian statistics, spatio-temporal statistics, statistical learning and biostatistics. Research is directed toward modern and emerging areas of interest. A large portion of the department's faculty and students are involved in interdisciplinary research and make significant scientific contributions beyond the field of statistics. Faculty members are highly successful at securing competitive grants from various research funding agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, the department is a partner in administering the NSF-funded Mathematical Biosciences Institute on the Ohio State campus.<br><br>The core of the PhD program consists of course work in mathematical statistics, as well as a variety of applied and theoretical courses in various topical areas. In the early part of the program, students complete required and elective course work in addition to qualifying examinations. Note that we admit students to the statistics department to work in statistics, but not to work with a particular faculty member. For a student's first two years in the program, the Graduate Studies Chair of the department serves as the advisor and students are encouraged to take independent study courses with faculty members they might like to work with. After the second year, students, together with faculty members, decide who will be their PhD dissertation advisor(s) and committee members. After completing the qualifying exams and course work, students focus on research and finish the program with their dissertation and defense. Students typically complete the program in about five years although it is possible to finish in less time, depending on the student's dissertation progress.