Established by the First Vice President on 2005-05-17, registration number C 2005/604
Latest revised on 2021-06-01, registration number MV 2021-0034.
This syllabus applies to doctoral students admitted as of 2021-08-01.
Regarding older syllabus, please contact the first vice/vice head of department.
Transitional regulations:
A doctoral student admitted to an older syllabus may earn a degree in accordance with this, provided that the current Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes and current Local Qualifications Framework – third cycle qualifications are followed.
Doctoral students admitted to an older syllabus of the graduate school Mathematical Statistics can, however, change to the current syllabus by an application to the Deputy/Vice Head of Department. The change must be documented in the individual study plan.
The graduate school is regulated by the Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes and the Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology - third cycle qualifications and is described in the syllabus for the graduate school. In the event of any conflict between the documents, the Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes and the Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology - third cycle qualifications are governing. For the most recent version of all regulatory documents referenced in this syllabus, see Chalmers’s internal website.
1. Subject description
Description of subject
The subject of mathematical statistics can be divided into two parts: probability theory and statistical inference. In probability theory, random phenomena are modeled using mathematical methods. In statistical inference, probability theory is used to produce methods that are used to draw conclusions from collected data. Statistical inference is invaluable in many fields of science as well as in industry and society.
The purpose of the doctoral program in mathematical statistics is to provide the student with general knowledge of mathematical statistics, information on current issues and practical uses, in-depth insights in one or more parts of the subject, a statistical way of thinking and skills in research methodology. The education for a licentiate aims to enable the student to independently participate in research work in mathematical statistics. The goal of the doctoral program is to provide the ability to critically and independently plan, lead, complete and present research and development work in mathematical statistics.
2. Objectives of the doctoral program
Objectives
The national objectives for third cycle degrees (licentiate and doctoral degree) and local requirements are stated in the Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications.
3. Entry requirements
General entry requirements
To be qualified for admission in the graduate school Mathematical statistics the student must have earned a degree at the second-cycle level. The orientation of the student’s degree shall also have a sufficiently close connection to the subject of the doctoral programme. Equivalent requirements apply to individuals who have taken their first degree in a country other than Sweden. The examiner, in consultation with the principal supervisor, shall assess whether the applicant has the requisite capacity to successfully complete the doctoral programme. Other requirements for general entry are regulated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
Admission
Regulations regarding admission are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
4. Curriculum
The study programme towards a doctoral degree encompasses 240 higher education credits. The study programme towards a licentiate degree encompasses at least 120 higher education credits. One year of full-time studies equals 60 credits.
For the licentiate degree programme the credits are distributed between courses and thesis work as follows: courses 45 credits and thesis 75 credits.
For the doctoral degree programme the credits are distributed between course work and thesis work as follows: courses 90 credits and thesis 150 credits.
Courses
Courses within the graduate school include general courses that cover all doctoral programmes at Chalmers as well as courses specific for the graduate school.
General courses in Chalmers’s doctoral programmes
The general course requirements for doctoral programmes at Chalmers are regulated in Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications.
Courses specific for the Graduate school
The set of courses is determined by the student, adviser and examiner in consultation. For the doctoral degree the course comprises 90 credits; it shall include courses that cover
- Probability theory: basic results and models (22.5 c) including the course Integration Theory (7.5 c) or an equivalent course.
- Statistical inference: theory and methods (22.5 c)
3.
- Participation in research seminars (7.5 c).
For the licentiate degree the course package comprises 45 credits; it shall include courses that cover the areas 1-2 to the extent 15 and 15 credits, respectively. For the licentiate degree, the course Integration theory or an equivalent course must be taken.
Advanced courses in other subjects may be included in the course package. At least 60 higher education credits must be Ph.D. courses or joint MSc/PhD level courses.
Licentiate thesis
A licentiate thesis shall be written in English. In exceptional cases it can be written in Swedish; in such cases it shall contain a summary in English.
The purpose of the licentiate thesis is to account for the relevant scientific results that have been attained during the thesis work and describe these in a way that is accessible outside of the scientific inner circle of researchers. A licentiate thesis can either be written as a compilation thesis or as a monograph. If the licentiate thesis is a compilation thesis it should begin with an introduction, a summarizing text, followed by the included scientific articles. The purpose of the summarizing text is to put the studies in context, and to present relevant results that for various reasons are not described within the articles.
The licentiate thesis should be of such quality that it fulfils normal requirements for publication, in its entirety or in abridged form, in a scientific journal of good quality.
Other regulations concerning the licentiate thesis are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
Doctoral thesis
A doctoral thesis shall be written in English. In exceptional cases it can be written in Swedish; in such cases it shall contain a summary in English.
The purpose of the doctoral thesis is to account for the relevant scientific results that have been attained during the thesis work and describe these in a way that is accessible outside of the scientific inner circle of researchers. A doctoral thesis can either be written as a compilation thesis or as a monograph. If the doctoral thesis is a compilation thesis it should begin with an introduction, a summarizing text, followed by the included scientific articles. The purpose of the summarizing text is to put the studies in context, and to present relevant results that for various reasons are not described within the articles.
The doctoral thesis should be of such quality that it fulfils normal requirements for publication, in its entirety or in abridged form, in a scientific journal of good quality.
Other regulations concerning the doctoral thesis are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
Supervision
The Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes states that for each doctoral student at least two supervisors shall be appointed. One of them shall be appointed principal supervisor. The doctoral student has the right to supervision during the studies unless the Head of Department decides otherwise.
5. Examination
After completion of a doctoral programme a doctoral degree is awarded. A licentiate degree can be an intermediate stage in a doctoral degree. If a licentiate degree is not a part of the individual study plan, a midway seminar shall be held to denote that licentiate level has been reached.
Examination, licentiate degree
For a licentiate degree to be awarded, the doctoral student must have received a grade of pass for the licentiate thesis and its presentation and must also have received a grade of pass for the other elements that are included in the programme.
Examination, doctoral degree
For a doctoral degree to be awarded, the doctoral student must have had a doctoral thesis and its defence approved and must also have passed the other elements that are included in the programme.
Other regulations regarding examination are stated in:
- Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes
- Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications
6. Title of degree
The title of qualification is Teknologie doktorsexamen i Matematisk statistik or Filosofie doktorsexamen i Matematisk statistik. The English translation of the title of the qualification is Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematical statistics.
For a licentiate degree the title of the qualification is Teknologie licentiatexamen i Matematisk statistik or Filosofie licentiatexamen i Matematisk statistik. The English translation of the title of qualification is Degree of Licentiate of Technology in Mathematical statistics or Degree of Licentiate of Philosophy in Mathematical statistics.
The degree is given a title corresponding to the name of the faculty within which the undergraduate degree was earned. The title is determined by the Head of Department in connection with admission.
Any decision regarding exemption from use of the defined title is made by the Head of Department. In some individual cases, it is possible to use a title that does not correspond to the name of the faculty within which the undergraduate degree was earned.