Overview of Statistics
The curriculum in liberal arts and sciences with a major in statistics is designed to prepare students for (1) statistics positions in business, industry or commerce, nonprofit institutions, and in state or federal government; and (2) graduate study in statistics. Positions include the following types of work: statistical design, data visualization, analysis and interpretation of experiments and surveys; data processing and analysis using modern computation facilities and statistical computing systems; application of statistical principles and methods in commercial areas such as finance, insurance, industrial research, technology, marketing, manufacturing, sports analytics, quality control, and nonprofit organizations, such as institutions involved in health care or medical research.
Given the application of statistical work to a broad range of fields, students majoring in statistics often obtain at least a minor in a field of application. Some common minors earned by statistics majors are Economics, General Business, and Mathematics. Students preparing for positions in data analysis should consider a minor or certificate in Data Science. Students preparing for a career in the field of actuarial science should consider a certificate in Actuarial Science. Students intending to pursue graduate study in Statistics are strongly advised to complete at least a minor in Mathematics including credit in MATH 4140 Analysis I.
Many Statistics majors earn an additional major or degree in a field of application or in Mathematics. Your academic advisor can assist you in developing your course of study including other majors.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the undergraduate degree in statistics should have a broad understanding of the discipline of statistics. Upon graduation, students should be able to:
- Design observational studies and experiments in order to efficiently collect data to help answer questions about science, technology, and society.
- Analyze data arising from observational studies and experiments in order to help answer questions about the world around them.
- Use modern statistical computing to aid in the collection and analysis of data.
- Explain and apply the mathematical and theoretical basis for probability and statistical inference to help answer questions about the world around them.
- Effectively communicate statistical findings using oral, visual and written formats.
- Effectively respond to ethical issues associated with data collection, data analysis, and communication of statistical findings.
Undergraduate Major
The requirements for the undergraduate major in statistics are:
| STAT 1100 | Orientation in Statistics | 1 |
| STAT 2010 | Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods | 4 |
| STAT 3010 | Intermediate Statistical Concepts and Methods | 4 |
| STAT 3410 | Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics I | 4 |
| STAT 3420 | Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics II | 4 |
| STAT 4212 | Experimental Design and Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 4750 | Introduction to Multivariate Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 4840 | Computer Processing of Scientific Data | 3 |
| STAT 4279 | Statistical Computing for Data Analysis | 3 |
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| Statistical Quality Assurance | |
| Time Series Data Analysis | |
| Bayesian Data Analysis | |
| Sports Analytics | |
| Introduction to Survey Sampling | |
| Introduction to Spatial Data Analysis | |
| Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis | |
| Introduction to Stochastic Process Models | |
| Regression for Social and Behavioral Research | |
| Empirical Methods for the Computational Sciences | |
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| Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | |
| Calculus III | |
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| Calculus I | |
| Calculus II: Honors | |
| Calculus III: Honors | |
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| Matrices and Linear Algebra | |
| Theory of Linear Algebra | |
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| Introduction to Computer Programming | |
| Fundamentals of Computer Programming | |
| Object-oriented Programming | |
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| Interpersonal Communication | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
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| Business Communication | |
| Business Communication: Honors | |
| Technical Communication | |
| Technical Communication: Honors | |
As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Statistics students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated above for the major.
LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 3000/4000 level or above taken at a four-year college. All such credits, including courses taken on a pass/not pass basis, may be used to meet this requirement. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement and career proficiency requirement.
Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. Cultures and Communities and a three-credit course in International Perspectives. Check (http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html) for a list of approved courses. Discuss with your advisor how the two courses you select can be applied to your academic plan.
Undergraduate Minor
The department offers a minor in statistics which may be earned by satisfying the following requirements:
- Credit in one introductory level course in statistics, chosen from the following list: STAT 1010, STAT 1040, STAT 2010, STAT 2260, STAT 2310, STAT 3050, STAT 3220, STAT 3300.
- Credit in one intermediate level course in statistics, chosen from the following list: STAT 3010, STAT 3260.
- At least 9 additional credits in statistics courses, chosen from the following list: STAT 3410, STAT 3420, STAT 3470, STAT 3610, STAT 4212, STAT 4215, STAT 4219 STAT 4279, STAT 4610X, STAT 4730, STAT 4750, STAT 4760, STAT 4770, STAT 4780, STAT 4820, STAT 4830, STAT 4840.
At least 3 credits used to complete the minor may not be used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.
All credits used to meet the minor requirements may also be used to satisfy the credit requirement for graduation and to meet credit requirements in courses numbered 3000 or above.
Courses used to complete the minor may not be taken on a pass-not pass basis.
The Statistics Undergraduate Minor is an LAS Minor. In addition to University polices governing minors, LAS minors require at least 6 credits in courses numbered 3000 and above, with a grade of C or higher.
Graduate Study
The department offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Applied Statistics degree, and the Master of Science (M.S.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees with a major in Statistics.
Graduates of the Master of Applied Statistics program develop a strong foundation in statistical applications, learning to correctly use and interpret the most frequently employed classical and modern methods in statistics. The students will gain skills in selecting appropriate techniques for data-driven problems, explaining theoretical foundations of classical and modern statistical methods, and effectively communicating statistical results to all stakeholders. Students will also learn to use modern statistical computing technologies, and to apply machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance insights from data. Students complete a minimum of 30 semester credits, including statistical consulting coursework and credit for statistical work experience through an internship or current employer.
Graduates of the M.S. program have studied basic statistical theory and methods. Elective courses in the M.S. program provide an opportunity for students to emphasize particular areas of application in their program. Students complete a minimum of 34 semester credits, including work on a capstone project resulting in a written creative component under the direction of an individual major professor and defended in a final oral examination.
Graduates of the Ph.D. program have demonstrated mastery of basic statistical theory and methods, studied advanced statistical theory and methods, and have demonstrated the ability to conduct independent research resulting in an original contribution to the discipline. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in Statistics complete a minimum of 72 semester credits, including at least 18 credits given for research activity, pass an oral preliminary examination, and submit a written dissertation containing original research that is defended in a final oral examination. Dissertation research is typically conducted in close collaboration with a major professor and usually results in publishable material. The department does not offer specific program tracks or areas of emphasis, but the diversity of elective courses and research areas of faculty allow students to tailor their individual programs to reflect areas of particular interest.
The Ph.D. degree is also offered as a co-major with other graduate programs. Graduates of co-major Ph.D. programs in Statistics and an applied scientific discipline have demonstrated mastery of basic statistical theory and methods and have studied advanced statistical methodology. Students complete a minimum of 72 semester credits for courses in statistics and the chosen scientific discipline. Students conduct research that is a combination of statistical methodology and the scientific discipline. Co-major professors work with the student to prepare for an oral preliminary examination and to conduct research leading to a single dissertation project, defended in a final oral examination, that produces an original contribution to at least one of the two disciplines.
Graduates of co-major Ph.D. programs in statistics and an area of theoretical mathematics have demonstrated mastery of basic statistical theory and methods and have studied advanced statistical theory. Students complete a minimum of 72 semester credits for courses in statistics and the other discipline. Co-major professors work with the student to prepare for an oral preliminary examination and to conduct research leading to a single dissertation project, defended in a final oral examination, that makes an original contribution at the interface of statistical theory and a sub-discipline of mathematics.
Graduate work leading to a minor in statistics is available for students majoring in other programs, at both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels.
The department participates in inter-disciplinary graduate programs in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Human Computer Interaction, Nutritional Sciences, and Wind Energy Science, Engineering, and Policy.
