As a prospective PhD student at Wharton's Statistics and Data Science department, I need a detailed understanding of the program's structure. Please outline the typical duration of the program, describe what generally occurs during the first two years, and what happens in the subsequent years. Additionally, explain the requirements for 'Admission to Candidacy,' including any exams and other potential prerequisites.
Navigate to 'https://statistics.wharton.upenn.edu'. Click on the 'PhD' link. Click on the 'Doctoral Journey' link. Click on the 'Find out How the PhD Program Works' link. Identify the typical duration of the PhD program. Describe the activities and focus of the first two years of the program. Describe the activities and focus of the subsequent years of the program. Detail the requirements for 'Admission to Candidacy', including information about preliminary exams and any other potential requirements. Synthesize all collected information into a concise answer.
The agent successfully navigates to the 'How the PhD Program Works' page. The typical duration of the PhD program is stated as '5 years of full-time study'. The agent states that the first two years involve 'taking courses, qualifying exams, and starting research projects'. The agent states that the last few years primarily involve 'conducting research full-time including writing and defending your doctoral dissertation'. The agent explains that 'Admission to Candidacy' requires taking courses, and all programs require a 'preliminary exam, which may be either oral or written'. The agent mentions that 'Some programs may have further requirements, such as an additional exam or research paper' for candidacy.