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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 1100Orientation in Statistics1
STAT 2010Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods4
STAT 3010Intermediate Statistical Concepts and Methods4
STAT 3410Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics I4
STAT 3420Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics II4
STAT 4710Introduction to Experimental Design3
STAT 4750Introduction to Multivariate Data Analysis3
STAT 4840Computer Processing of Scientific Data3
STAT 4860Introduction to Statistical Computing3
A minimum of 6 credits from the following:
Statistical Quality Assurance
Introduction to Time Series
Introduction to Survey Sampling
Introduction to Bayesian Data Analysis
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
Completion of one of the following options:
Option I
Calculus I
Calculus II
Calculus III
Option II
Calculus I
Calculus II: Honors
Calculus III: Honors
Credit in one of the following:
Matrices and Linear Algebra
Theory of Linear Algebra
Credit in one of the following:
Introduction to Computer Programming
Fundamentals of Computer Programming
Object-oriented Programming
Credit in one of the following:
Interpersonal Communication
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Credit in one of the following (with a grade of C- or higher):
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. 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. diversity 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 that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.

Statistics, B.S.

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15003MATH 1660 or 1660H4
LIB 16001STAT 20104
STAT 1100RequiredSocial Science Choice3
MATH 16504Humanities Choice3
Humanities Choice3 
Natural Science Choice4 
 15 14
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
STAT 30104STAT 47103
MATH 2650 or 2650H4MATH 2070 or 31703-4
ENGL 25003Computer Science Choice3
Natural Science Choice4Humanities Choice3
LAS 20301Social Science Choice3
 16 15-16
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
STAT 34104STAT 34204
STAT 48403STAT 48603
SPCM 2120 or COMST 21103Social Science Choice3
World Language/Elective4World Language/Elective4
 Elective1
 14 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
STAT 47503Statistics Choices6
ENGL 3020 or 31403Electives9
Humanities Choice3 
Electives6 
 15 15
Total Credits: 119-120

Undergraduate Minor

The department offers a minor in statistics which may be earned by satisfying the following requirements:

Courses selected to satisfy the minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college or university requirement other than the credit requirement for graduation and credit requirement for courses numbered 3000 or above.

Courses selected to satisfy the minor must include at least 6 credits in courses numbered 3000 and above taken at ISU with a grade of C or higher.

Graduate Study

The department offers graduate programs leading to both Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees with a major in statistics. 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 Ph.D. degree is also offered as a co-major with other graduate programs. 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.

Graduates of the M.S. program have an understanding of basic statistical theory and methods. Elective courses in the M.S. program provide an opportunity for students to emphasize particular areas of statistical methods or 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 presented in a final oral examination.

Graduates of the Ph.D. program in statistics have studied advanced 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.

Graduates of co-major Ph.D. programs in statistics and an applied scientific discipline have mastered basic statistical theory and have studied advanced 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 conduct research leading to a single dissertation project that produces an original contribution to at least one of the two disciplines that is defended in a final oral examination.

Graduates of co-major Ph.D. programs in statistics and an area of theoretical mathematics have mastered basic statistical methods and have studied advanced statistical theory. Students complete a minimum of 72 semester credits. Co-major professors assist the student in preparing a dissertation that represents original research that makes a contribution at the interface of statistical theory and a sub-discipline of mathematics. The dissertation is defended in a final oral examination.