Statistics

253.535.7699 (Economics, Psychology, and Sociology) 253.535.7400 (Mathematics)

Statistics (STAT), a branch of applied mathematics, studies the methodology for the collection and analysis of data and the use of data to make inferences under conditions of uncertainty. Statistics plays a fundamental role in the social and natural sciences, as well as in business, industry, and government.

The Statistics Program is offered cooperatively by the Departments of Economics, Mathematics, Psychology, and Sociology. The program is administered by an Interdisciplinary Statistics Committee headed by the statistics program director, who is appointed by the dean of the Division of Social Sciences. The statistics minor is administered by the Department of Mathematics. Students interested in a statistics minor are encouraged to discuss course selection with a statistics faculty member from any discipline.


Minor

16 semester hours, including:

    • CSCE 120 or 144
    • STAT 231 or 232 or 233 or MATH/STAT 242
    • At least 8 additional hours of statistics selected from:
      • BUSA 467, ECON 344, PSYC 242, MATH/STAT 342, MATH/STAT 348.
        (Additional courses may be approved by the chair of the Department of Mathematics.)

Statistics (STAT) - Undergraduate Courses

STAT 145 : Statistics for Biologists MR, NS

An introduction to statistics with a focus on topics and data relevant to biologists. Descriptive statistics and data representations, correlation and regression, experimental design, basic probability, binomial and normal distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, chi-squared test, ANOVA. Cross-listed with MATH 145. Prerequisite: MATH 140 or proficiency through MATH 140 as determined by the math placement exam. (4)

STAT 231 : Introductory Statistics - MR

Descriptive statistics: measures of central tendency and dispersion. Inferential statistics: generalizations about populations from samples by parametric and nonparametric techniques. Methods covered will include estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis, regression, chi square, and ANOVA analysis. Includes a required computer lab. Students should register for the lab corresponding to their lecture section. May not be taken for credit after MATH/STAT 242 has been taken. (4)

STAT 232 : Introductory Statistics for Psychology Majors - MR

Descriptive statistics: measures of central tendency and dispersion. Inferential statistics: generalizations about populations from samples by parametric and nonparametric techniques. Methods covered will include estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis, regression, chi square, and ANOVA analysis. Includes a required computer lab. Students should register for the lab corresponding to their lecture section. This section is intended for psychology majors. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or equivalent. (4)

STAT 233 : Introductory Statistics for Sociology and Social Work Majors - MR

Descriptive statistics: measures of central tendency and dispersion. Inferential statistics: generalizations about populations from samples by parametric and nonparametric techniques. Methods covered will include estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis, regression, chi square, and ANOVA analysis. Includes a required computer lab. Students should register for the lab corresponding to their lecture section. This section is intended for sociology and social work majors. Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or equivalent. (4)

STAT 242 : Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

Data description, probability, discrete and continuous random variables, expectation, special distributions, statements of law of large numbers and central limit theorem, sampling distributions, theory of point estimators, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, regression (time permitting). Cross-listing with MATH 242. Previously was STAT/MATH 341. Prerequisite: MATH 151. (4)

STAT 287 : Special Topics in Statistics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

STAT 288 : Special Topics in Statistics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

STAT 289 : Special Topics in Statistics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

STAT 291 : Directed Study - MR

To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

STAT 342 : Probability and Statistical Theory

Continuation of STAT 242. Topics may include: joint and conditional distributions, correlation, functions of random variables, moment generating functions, inference in regression and one-way ANOVA, Bayesian and non-parametric inference, convergence of distributions. Cross-listed with MATH 342. Prerequisite: MATH 152 and four hours from STAT 231, 232, 233 or MATH/STAT 242. MATH 253 (or concurrent enrollment) is recommended. (4)

STAT 387 : Special Topics in Statistics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

STAT 388 : Special Topics in Statistics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

STAT 389 : Special Topics in Statistics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

STAT 487 : Special Topics in Statistics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

STAT 488 : Special Topics in Statistics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

STAT 489 : Special Topics in Statistics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

STAT 491 : Independent Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with advanced study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as IS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

STAT 495 : Internship

To permit undergraduate students to relate theory and practice in a work situation. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Intern: followed by the specific title designated by the instructor in consultation with the student. (1 to 12)