Statistics (BS)

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MISSION OF THE STATISTICS DEPARTMENT

The mission of the Statistics Department is to provide every student a foundation in data collection, modeling, analysis, and critical evaluation. Additionally, the department provides the foundation students need to pursue graduate study and/or a career in statistics, biostatistics, data science, actuarial science, and other data-analytic fields.

THE DEGREE PROGRAM

A statistics degree provides a foundation into the world of statistics: the study of the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and understanding of data. Grounded in the liberal arts, statistics builds on a base of mathematics and computer science to solve real world problems across disciplinary boundaries.

The major has three concentrations that allow a student to prepare for a variety of future paths.

a. Theoretical Statistics prepares students for graduate work in statistics or for positions in mathematically-intensive areas of statistics.
b. Applied Statistics prepares students for work and further study in statistically-driven professions in Biostatistics, Educational Measurement, and similar areas.
c. Data Science prepares students to make meaning from complex data sets for work in computationally-rich fields.

Graduates in all concentrations should be well-qualified for advanced study in graduate programs or employment in a professional career requiring preparation. All statistics graduates will obtain a background in statistical theory, gain experience with statistical computing and data manipulation, and learn valuable problem-solving, technical writing, and effective communication skills.

Truman’s Statistics degree is consistent with the principles and recommendations contained in the American Statistical Association’s “Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Programs in Statistical Science,” http://www.amstat.org/asa/files/pdfs/EDU-guidelines2014-11-15.pdf.

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

All Statistics students are encouraged to talk to their advisor about completing a minor in a related area. Statistics uses tools from the mathematical sciences to examine and address problems in disciplines across campus. Students should also consider an internship, consulting, or other statistics field experience, where they can apply their statistical know-how to real world situations.

Students may obtain credit and research experience by participating in a recognized national undergraduate research programs in statistics such as an REU site or in one of several research programs sponsored by Truman.

There are also opportunities to work with faculty and other students as tutors or graders for lower-level statistics courses.

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN STATISTICS

Honors in Statistics may be earned by:

Maintaining an overall grade point average of 3.5,
Maintaining a major grade point average of 3.5,
Scoring at or above the 80^th percentile on the senior exam,
Demonstrating excellence in scholarship by producing a scholarly paper or project, or by passing two actuary exams; and
Receiving the concurrence of the statistics faculty.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

Liberal Studies Program Requirements: 31-60 Credits

Missouri Statute Requirement: 1-3 Credits

Bachelor of Science Requirement: 6 or more Credits

Six or more credits from: AGSC, BIOL, CHEM, CS, ECON, MATH, PSYC, or PHYS. Courses used to fulfill the BS requirement may not be used to satisfy Statistics Major requirements or Liberal Studies Program components. Students considering graduate school are encouraged to consider choosing additional coursework in mathematics and computer science.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

The Statistics major consists of three (3) parts: Required Support, Core Major Requirements, and a Concentration. Each student must complete all parts.

Part I: Required Support: 8 Credits

Courses listed in Required Support may double count for LSP, minor, or other campus requirements, but may not double count with requirements listed elsewhere in this major.

STAT 190 - Basic Statistics Credits: 3 OR STAT 290 - Statistics Credits: 3
MATH 198 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Credits: 5

Part II: Core Requirements: 22-23 Credits

MATH 263 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus II Credits: 5 OR STAT 260 - Applied Mathematics for Data Analysis Credits: 4
MATH 285 - Matrix Algebra Credits: 3 OR MATH 357 - Linear Algebra Credits: 3
CS 170 - Introduction to Computer Science I Credits: 4 OR CS 180 - Foundations of Computer Science I Credits: 4
STAT 101 - Freshman seminar in Statistics Credits: 1
STAT 250 - Statistical Computing Credits: 3
STAT 398 - Intermediate Seminar in Statistics Credits: 1
STAT 478 - Regression Analysis Credits: 3
STAT 497 - Statistics Capstone Experience Credits: 2
STAT 498 - Senior Seminar in Statistics Credits: 1

Part III: Concentration: 21 Credits (Complete One)

Theoretical Statistics:

Students in this concentration must select STAT 290, MATH 263 and MATH 357 as their options within Required Support and Core Requirements above.

MATH 200 - Foundations of Mathematics Credits: 3
MATH 264 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus III Credits: 3
MATH 461 - Advanced Calculus Credits: 3
STAT 570 - Mathematical Probability and Statistics I Credits: 3
STAT 571 - Mathematical Probability and Statistics II Credits: 3
3 additional credits numbered STAT 300 or higher (other than STAT 378)
3 additional credits numbered STAT 400 or higher
[No more than 3 total credits of electives may come from these courses: STAT 412 - Advanced Consulting Practicum , STAT 471 - Internship: Statistics , STAT 472 - Internship: Evaluation and Analysis , or STAT 473 - Undergraduate Statistics Research ]

Applied Statistics:

Students who complete CS 191 and STAT 290 may request that CS 191 substitute for STAT 270.

STAT 210 - Data Collection and Field Methods Credits: 3
STAT 392 - Statistical Consulting with Practicum Credits: 3
STAT 270 - Probability Credits: 3 OR STAT 570 - Mathematical Probability and Statistics I Credits: 3
6 additional credits numbered STAT 300 or higher (other than STAT 378)
*Students may petition to substitute up to 3 credits from another discipline as a 300-level elective. Such a course must be at the 300 level or above, contain a strong statistical component (more than simple data analysis), and be approved by the statistics faculty. A list of pre-approved courses may be obtained in the Statistics Department Office.
6 additional credits numbered STAT 400 or higher
[No more than 3 total credits of electives may come from these courses: STAT 412 - Advanced Consulting Practicum , STAT 471 - Internship: Statistics , STAT 472 - Internship: Evaluation and Analysis , or STAT 473 - Undergraduate Statistics Research ]

Data Science:

Students who complete CS 191 and STAT 290 may request that CS 191 substitute for STAT 270.

STAT 270 - Probability Credits: 3 OR STAT 570 - Mathematical Probability and Statistics I Credits: 3
CS 430 - Database Systems Credits: 3
STAT 220 - Fundamentals of Data Science Credits: 3
STAT 320 - Data Visualization Credits: 3
STAT 420 - Data Mining and Multivariate Statistics Credits: 3
6 additional credits numbered STAT 300 or higher (other than STAT 378)
*Students may count up to 3 credits of additional 300⁺ level coursework from Computer Science

Electives to Total: 120 Credits

Note:

Transfer students majoring in statistics must complete 18 credits in the major at Truman, 15 of which must be at the 300 level or higher.

STAT 378 may not be used as an elective anywhere in the Statistics program.

Students may not count both STAT 375 and STAT 475 as electives in the Statistics program.

Capstone Experience for Statistics

Students who complete an internship experience (such as STAT 471), an intensive research experience (such as STAT 473), or who complete a statistically-intensive capstone experience as part of a second major, may request that experience to substitute for STAT 497. Credits that substitute for STAT 497 may not also be used as elective credit in the STAT major. All statistics majors must complete STAT 498.