Statistics (STAT) - BS Major

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64 S.H. (No Minor Required)

2.0 GPA required.

The BS Program in Statistics provides students with instruction in the basic techniques, applications, and theories of mathematics and statistics. Students choosing statistics may complete a statistics project under the supervision of a faculty member. This provides students the opportunity to work with a faculty member on a consulting project or research problem. For students planning to attend graduate school, the research project is recommended. Internship opportunities also exist for students in the statistics major. Recent graduates have completed internships at the Mayo Clinic, insurance companies, local industry, and non-profit organizations. Both consulting projects and internships are good choices for students seeking employment upon graduation.

Students who are interested in business or industrial applications of statistics might consider the fields of actuarial science or quality control. Specific information about these two fields follows the required coursework for the statistics major.

Required Courses (52 S.H.)

Statistics First Course (3 S.H.)

Choose one:

STAT 210 - Statistics (3 S.H.)
STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics (3 S.H.)
STAT 305 - Biometry (3 S.H.)

Statistics Required Courses (18 S.H.)

STAT 310 - Intermediate Statistics (3 S.H.)
STAT 335 - Principles of Study Design (3 S.H.)
STAT 360 - Regression Analysis (3 S.H.)
STAT 365 - Experimental Design and Analysis (3 S.H.)
△ STAT 450 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I (3 S.H.)
△ STAT 460 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II (3 S.H.)

Capstone Experience (6 S.H.)

For each capstone experience, a project proposal must be developed in consultation with a faculty member.

STAT 395 - Professional Skill Development for Statistics (2 S.H.)
STAT 495 - Communication of Capstone Outcomes (1 S.H.)

Choose one (3 S.H.)

STAT 488 - Statistics Projects (1-6 S.H.)
STAT 492 - Practicum in Statistics (3-6 S.H.)

Electives (12 S.H.)

In consultation with an advisor, students should choose 12 S.H. from the list below. Students may also choose other classes with a significant mathematical/statistical component offered outside the department; however, the courses must be approved by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. At least 6 S.H. must be chosen from STAT courses.

STAT 320 and above
MATH 313 and above (excluding MATH 337)
CS 234 and above
DSCI 310 - Data Summary and Visualization or ◎ DSCI 425 - Supervised Learning
◆ FIN 335 - Forecasting Methods

Actuarial Science

To become a certified actuary, candidates must pass a series of examinations that are administered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA). Some of the examinations can be successfully completed while the student is still in college. In fact, some companies hire only candidates who have successfully completed at least one of the examinations.

WSU offers the following courses that will prepare students for the first exam on Probability (SOA Exam P1).

Actuaries are also required to be certified in three key subject areas through their college coursework that are not covered on the SOA examinations. This certification is called Validation through Educational Experience (VEE). Subject areas and courses for VEE certification are listed below.

VEE Economics
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (3 S.H.)
ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (3 S.H.)
VEE Applied Statistical Methods
STAT 360 - Regression Analysis (3 S.H.)
◆ FIN 335 - Forecasting Methods (3 S.H.)
VEE Corporate Finance
FIN 360 - Corporate Finance (3 S.H.)
◆ FIN 377 - Investments (3 S.H.)

Quality Assessment and Improvement

Mathematics/Statistics majors who are interested in the area of quality assessment and improvement should consider preparing themselves for the ASQ (American Society for Quality) certification examinations. These examinations are nationally recognized and greatly enhance employment opportunities. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers the following courses to help students prepare for certification examinations:

Quality Inspector:		STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics or STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics , ◆ STAT 320 - Statistical Quality Control
Quality Technician:		STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics or STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics , ◆ STAT 320 - Statistical Quality Control
Quality Auditor:		STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics or STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics , ◆ STAT 320 - Statistical Quality Control
Software Quality Engineer:		STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics or STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics , ◆ STAT 320 - Statistical Quality Control
Quality Improvement Associate:		STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics or STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics , ◆ STAT 320 - Statistical Quality Control , STAT 321 - Industrial Design of Experiments I
Quality Engineer:		STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics or STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics , ◆ STAT 320 - Statistical Quality Control - STAT 321 - Industrial Design of Experiments I
Six Sigma Black Belt/Green Belt:		STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics or STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics , ◆ STAT 320 - Statistical Quality Control - STAT 321 - Industrial Design of Experiments I
Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence:		STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics or STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics , ◆ STAT 320 - Statistical Quality Control , STAT 350 - Design of Samples and Surveys
Reliability Engineer:		MATH 140 - Applied Calculus or MATH 212 - Calculus I , STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics or STAT 210 - Statistics or STAT 303 - Introduction to Engineering Statistics , ◆ STAT 320 - Statistical Quality Control - STAT 321 - Industrial Design of Experiments I

Biostatistics

Students interested in biostatistics are advised to take courses in biology, computer science, health sciences, and statistics, such as:

◆ BIOL 310 - Genetics (3 S.H.)
◆ HERS 403 - Epidemiology (3 S.H.)
CS 368 - Introduction to Bioinformatics (4 S.H.)
STAT 405 - Biostatistics (3 S.H.)

Legend

◎ = Oral Intensive

◆ = Math/Critical Analysis Intensive

△ = Writing Intensive

✽ = Physical Development and Wellness Graduation Requirement