To pursue research effectively, you must develop a facility with certain research skills and tools such as reading research papers and effectively communicating results to an audience. Toward this goal, the Department encourages all PhD students to enroll in STAT 8910 (1 credit) from second to sixth semester. The course is designed to help you develop the habit of attending research talks, understand the research that is on the cutting edge of statistics, learn about professional development as a research scientist, and get a head-start on your dissertation research. Selection of Research Advisor If you are earning your PhD degree, then you are expected to choose your research advisor while you are taking your PhD core, typically by the end of your second year in the program. The relationship between you and your advisor is one which both of you must agree to. It is, however, not set in stone, and either you or your advisor can terminate this relationship when it is not working out. The Director of Graduate Studies II is your coursework advisor, until you choose a research advisor.
