Statistics
minor
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Statistics uses mathematics as part of theory, computer science as part of computation, and other disciplines in applications. From the introductory to the advanced courses, students learn to describe data, summarize analyses, explain simulations, present implications of theories, and generally expand their understanding of probability and statistics. Faculty help students become better askers of questions, developers of arguments and research plans, and communicators of results.
Curriculum
Statistics enables you to seek answers in creative ways to complex questions. A major focus of statistics is understanding patterns in the world in light of inherent uncertainty. What study designs allow you to make valid conclusions about issues in society? How can you summarize complex quantitative information and make principled inferential statements about populations? Is the available evidence sufficient for establishing a causal relationship among factors?
Statistics, through its development of principles of study design and analysis, has played key roles in the development of agriculture, medicine, and social science to inform public policy and decision making. In order to study and address many of the challenges in our society, it is necessary to have reliable, timely information. One must have the tools to summarize, investigate, and communicate important findings from the information. Statistics plays a critical role in many efforts to enhance the conditions of the world.
Additional Opportunities:
Careers
Statistics as a field has experienced tremendous growth and development in the last couple of decades. There is great unfulfilled demand in the workforce for people trained in quantitative methods in general and in statistics in particular. Jobs in banking, insurance, real estate, finance, news analysis and reporting, weather forecasting, medicine, public health, public policy and administration, transportation, sports analytics, management, marketing, and business in general increasingly utilize statistical methods in routine practice. Research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, including biology, business administration, computer science, economics, education, engineering, environmental science, health and medicine, political science, psychology, public opinion, and sociology, to an extent never seen before uses and relies on statistical methods and insight.
Faculty
Contact
Michael Larsen
Director, Program in Analytics, Computing, and Data Science
Jeanmarie Hall 259, Box 169
mlarsen@smcvt.edu
802.654.2399