MarcusSolarz

Hi, What are your goals? What do you wish to do with your MS (go onto a PhD, industry, etc). What areas are you interested in? Cheers, Marcus

Hi, I want to apply to a PhD program, but I am having a difficult time figuring out where I "fit in", so to speak. The following, I hope, will explain my predicament. BACKGROUND: I have a MS in math, and have worked for many years in various labs solving mathematical problems that arise from basic research in science and engineering. I have 17 publications in peer-reviewed journals (PNAS, IEEE, J. Chem. Phys., etc). During the course of my last research experience in statistical signal processing, I have gravitated towards statistics and would like to work on real world problems in statistics. I suppose the applied nature of statistics, the fact that it is in some senses more like logic than math proper, and its ability to be applied in many settings appeals to me. PROBLEM: I very much to go back for my PhD in statistics, but I've run into a problem. Most "traditional" PhD programs seem to want students who are research oriented. Unfortunately, I don't fall into this camp: I basically like using math to solve problems, not for the sake of the subject itself. In other words, I am more interested in the process of solving the puzzle than the pieces themselves. I have considered doing a PhD in mathEd or perhaps try a PhD program in math designed for non-specialists that would allow me to teach and do contract work and my own investigations on the side (I very much enjoy teaching statistics and feel there is a huge need for educators specialized in statistics, however there are very few programs in statistics education), but I am wondering if there are other options or programs that perhaps I have overlooked. Thank you for taking the time to read my problem, and I appreciate any help/advice anyone may have. Marcus