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Statistics

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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Undergraduate Study

For the undergraduate curriculum in liberal arts and sciences, major in statistics, leading to the degree bachelor of science, see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum.

The curriculum in liberal arts and sciences with a major in statistics is designed to prepare students for (1) entry level statistics positions in business, industry or commerce, nonprofit institutions, and in state or federal government; (2) graduate study in statistics. Entry-level 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, marketing, manufacturing, sports analytics, and quality control and in nonprofit organizations such as large health study institutions. 

Students completing the undergraduate degree in statistics should have a broad understanding of the discipline of statistics. They should have a clear comprehension of the theoretical basis of statistical reasoning and should be proficient in the use of modern statistical methods, data visualization, and computing. Such graduates should have an ability to apply and convey statistical concepts and knowledge in oral and written form. They should be aware of ethical issues associated with polling and surveys and in summarizing and displaying the outcomes of statistical studies.

Undergraduate majors in this department usually include in their programs:

STAT 110Orientation in Statistics1
STAT 201Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods4
One of the following options
Option I
Calculus I
Calculus II
Calculus III
Option II
Calculus I
Calculus II, Honors
Calculus III, Honors
One of the following
Matrices and Linear Algebra
Theory of Linear Algebra
One of the following
Windows Application Programming
Introduction to Computer Programming
Fundamentals of Computer Programming
Object-oriented Programming
STAT 301Intermediate Statistical Concepts and Methods4
STAT 341Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics I4
STAT 342Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics II4
STAT 471Introduction to Experimental Design3
STAT 475Introduction to Multivariate Data Analysis3
STAT 484Computer Processing of Scientific Data3
STAT 486Introduction 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

English and Speech proficiency requirement: The department requires a passing grade in ENGL 150 Critical Thinking and Communication, completion of ENGL 250 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (or ENGL 250H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition: Honors) with a grade of C or better, and completion of one of ENGL 302 Business Communication or ENGL 314 Technical Communication with a grade of C- or better. The department requires a passing grade in COMST 211 Interpersonal Communication or SP CM 212 Fundamentals of Public Speaking.

It is advisable to have 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 do graduate work in statistics are strongly advised to complete at least a minor in Mathematics including credit in MATH 414 Analysis I.

Many Statistics majors earn a second major or degree in a field of application or Mathematics. Your academic adviser can assist you in developing your course of study that includes other majors.