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What to Know About Statistics Majors

According to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, statistics is “the science of learning from data”—a simple way to describe a complex field of study. As a Statistics major, you’ll use mathematics to reach logical conclusions about probability; you’ll learn how to analyze and interpret empirical data from surveys and experiments; and by the time you graduate, you’ll know how to design your own experiments and other research methodologies. Statistics is aimed at problem-solving. By analyzing trends and patterns in data you’ll be able to hypothesize about probable and possible (and you’ll know the difference between these two words better than almost anyone) future developments and create solutions that anticipate probable (and possible) problems.


As a Statistics major, you should have a strong background in math and computers since most statistical analysis is done by sophisticated computer programs designed especially for data analysis. Eventually, you’ll be using Statistics in countless ways to improve our society: you might help our economy, protect the environment, develop new marketing strategies, or evaluate a drug’s effectiveness. The possibilities are endless.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM

  • Analysis of Categorical Data

  • Analysis of Qualitative Data

  • Applied Linear Statistical Methods

  • Applied Regression Analysis

  • Biostatistical Methods

  • Design and Analysis of Experiments

  • Distribution Theory

  • Generalized Linear Models

  • History of Statistics

  • Introduction to Mathematical Probability

  • Linear Regression Models

  • Nonparametric Statistics

  • Numerical Computation

  • Probability and Statistics in the Natural Sciences

  • Probability Models

  • Statistical Inference

  • Statistical Methods and Their Applications

  • Statistics for the Social Sciences

  • Time Series Analysis


HIGH SCHOOl PREPARATION

Math, math, math! Take as many math courses as you can handle, especially higher-level ones like calculus. Also, if your high school offers any psychology classes, you might want to look into those—psychology is one field that uses quite a bit of Statistics.