Graduate programme in Graduate programme in statisticsstatistics

University University of Ljubljanaof Ljubljana

HistoryHistory

Created in 2002 as an independent Created in 2002 as an independent graduate programme within the University graduate programme within the University of Ljubljana.of Ljubljana.

The idea goes back seven more years The idea goes back seven more years which appears to be the time to get which appears to be the time to get through the university bureaucratic through the university bureaucratic process.process.

MissionMission

To create a high level graduate To create a high level graduate programme in statistics.programme in statistics.

To avoid duplication and fragmentation of To avoid duplication and fragmentation of statistics courses.statistics courses.

To join forces and include all statisticians To join forces and include all statisticians at various institutions.at various institutions.

To offer service courses in statistics at a To offer service courses in statistics at a level usually not achievable by single level usually not achievable by single Faculties.Faculties.

Founding institutionsFounding institutions

Faculty of EconomicsFaculty of Economics Faculty of Mathematics and PhysicsFaculty of Mathematics and Physics Faculty of MedicineFaculty of Medicine Faculty of Social SciencesFaculty of Social Sciences Biotechnical facultyBiotechnical faculty

The programme charter and rules were The programme charter and rules were signed by all founding institutions.signed by all founding institutions.

GovernanceGovernance

The governing body is The Programme The governing body is The Programme Council which has one member from each Council which has one member from each of the founding institutions.of the founding institutions.

The Council reports only to the Rector of The Council reports only to the Rector of the University.the University.

AdministrationAdministration

Administrative support is provided by the Administrative support is provided by the University staff.University staff.

Diplomas are conferred by individual Diplomas are conferred by individual founding members. The thesis topics are founding members. The thesis topics are approved by the founding members. The approved by the founding members. The course requirements are met if students course requirements are met if students have successfully completed all the have successfully completed all the courses of the Graduate statistics courses of the Graduate statistics programme.programme.

TitlesTitles

Students receive the title Master in Statistics Students receive the title Master in Statistics or Doctor in Statistics.or Doctor in Statistics.

FeesFees

The fees are approximately 2000 EUR.The fees are approximately 2000 EUR. For regular students who fulfil the For regular students who fulfil the

requirements the state covers 80% of the requirements the state covers 80% of the fees.fees.

StudentsStudents

The programme is open to all students of The programme is open to all students of the University provided the grade average the University provided the grade average meets the required level.meets the required level.

Individual courses are also open to Individual courses are also open to students at the University of Ljubljana as students at the University of Ljubljana as service courses (e.g. Pharmaceutical service courses (e.g. Pharmaceutical Faculty).Faculty).

As a consequence the background of the As a consequence the background of the students varies substantially.students varies substantially.

ModulesModules

Statistics Programme

Biostatistics Mathematical statistics Social statistics Survey statistics

First year coursesFirst year courses

Probabilty and statistics: a “boot camp” Probabilty and statistics: a “boot camp” course.course.

Multivariate statistics: a standard course in Multivariate statistics: a standard course in multivariate methods. multivariate methods.

Information technology and Data Analysis: Information technology and Data Analysis: a course in R-language and some data a course in R-language and some data mining techniques.mining techniques.

Seminar in official statistics: a course in Seminar in official statistics: a course in basic definitions.basic definitions.

First year examinationsFirst year examinations

Typically all courses have homework of Typically all courses have homework of various degree of difficulty.various degree of difficulty.

Most courses have project assignments Most courses have project assignments followed by an oral defence.followed by an oral defence.

There are no in-class examinations.There are no in-class examinations.

First year experiencesFirst year experiences

Students with weak background in Students with weak background in mathematics do suffer. There is a short mathematics do suffer. There is a short crash course in basic mathematics to crash course in basic mathematics to remedy the problem but the consensus remedy the problem but the consensus was that the level will not be adjusted.was that the level will not be adjusted.

Student feed-back indicates that the hard Student feed-back indicates that the hard basic courses are most appreciated even basic courses are most appreciated even though some suffering is involved.though some suffering is involved.

Student numbersStudent numbers

2002: 34 enrolled, 31 passed.2002: 34 enrolled, 31 passed. 2003: 24 enrolled, 13 passed.2003: 24 enrolled, 13 passed. 2004: 16 enrolled 2004: 16 enrolled

Second year coursesSecond year courses

There is a variety of more specialised There is a variety of more specialised courses.courses.

The courses tend to be shorter, and in The courses tend to be shorter, and in many cases taught by guest faculty.many cases taught by guest faculty.

Many courses are elective.Many courses are elective. Many courses are conducted on an Many courses are conducted on an

individual basis with no classes.individual basis with no classes.

ProfessorsProfessors

Most courses are taught by professors Most courses are taught by professors from the University of Ljubljana.from the University of Ljubljana.

There are a number of guest professors.There are a number of guest professors. The consensus is that core courses should The consensus is that core courses should

be taught by local professors.be taught by local professors. The experience is that core courses are The experience is that core courses are

time and energy consuming for lecturers.time and energy consuming for lecturers.