PhD in Statistics and Computer Science

Bocconi University has evolved into a globally recognized institution, renowned for its innovative approach to education and research. The university's commitment to providing a transformative learning experience is reflected in its diverse academic programs, ranging from undergraduate to postgraduate levels, all designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for success in a rapidly changing world. What sets Bocconi apart is its international outlook, fostering an environment that encourages cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. The university's strong ties with the business and economic sectors ensure that students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also practical insights, preparing them to navigate the complexities of the global professional landscape. Bocconi University, with its illustrious history and forward-looking approach, continues to be a hub for those aspiring to make meaningful contributions to the fields of economics, management, finance, and beyond.

The 4-year PhD in Statistics and Computer Science is a high profile and rigorous doctoral program, within the Department of Decision Sciences, that develops strong mathematical, statistical, computational and programming backgrounds. It arises as an expansion of the PhD in Statistics, which has been offered by the Department since 2001 and has stood out as a success story in terms of both placement and scientific achievements of its graduates. The cross-disciplinary nature of our program is essential for gaining first-class research skills. Indeed, the rise of Machine Learning and Data Science is providing undisputed evidence that the ideal expertise for achieving new exciting advances in these areas lies at the boundaries of Statistics and Computer Science. The ability of developing both novel statistical methodologies and highly scalable computational algorithms has become crucial, due to the increasing availability of large and complex datasets. The program is tailored to extremely talented and motivated students who wish to stand out either as statisticians having also a deep knowledge of computing, algorithms and theoretical computer science or as computer scientists with a strong training in probabilistic and statistical modeling and applications. This merging of skills is a distinctive feature of modern data scientists working on cutting-edge research topics within academic institutions, research organizations and industry.