Why Study Statistics
Statistics are everywhere; medicine, manufacturing, law, sports, education, food production, and finance to name only a few. It is important to be able to think critically about all of the data and information that surround us. Statistics influence the operations of industries, markets, nonprofits, and, of course, governmental organizations.
A background in statistics is perfect for the student who enjoys being a utility player and who does not want to spend an entire career in one field. Practically every field involves statistics and requires a statistician on the team. Statisticians have mobility to move from one field to another throughout their careers. Statisticians think logically and solve problems based on facts and data and thus bring great value to almost any organization.
The technologies powering many of the products we buy, shows we watch, and devices we use today were developed and perfected through the efforts of mathematicians and statisticians long before tech companies entered the picture.
Statistics are so powerful that the federal government now operates 13 statistical agencies that manage critical information related to labor trends, health, education and more.
The concentration in statistics prepares students for entry-level positions in a variety of areas that require logical and analytical skills, especially those with a data science focus.
This concentration also prepares students for entry into master’s and Ph.D. programs in mathematics, engineering, statistics, and other related disciplines. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics has a solid track record for preparing students for graduate study in statistics, and the career outlook for statisticians is very favorable.
Although there are jobs for statisticians with undergraduate degrees, a number of employers require an advanced degree. The statistics concentration at Austin Peay provides excellent preparation for work at the Master's level; our graduates have gone to graduate school in statistics or taken actuary exams.
Statistics is the science of gathering and analyzing data. Statisticians are employed almost every industry in many capacities: to determine effectiveness and safety of new medicines for pharmaceutical companies; to control quality in manufacturing processes; to determine policy premiums and estimate probable payoffs for insurance companies; to analyze consumer demand; to plan and develop services for various segments of society by government agencies.
For more information on careers in statistics, please visit the website for the American Statistical Association: http://www.amstat.org/careers
Faculty who teach the statistics courses hold a variety of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in both mathematics content and statistics. Many of the faculty who teach these courses have years of experience in government and industry in addition to years of teaching experience. Several of these faculty hold qualifications and certifications in statistical fields such as actuarial certification.
The program is accredited and it is taught by high quality, experienced, and accessible professors. This concentration opens up graduate school opportunities as well as career opportunities with a bachelor’s degree in many fields since statistics is so ubiquitous in the workplace.
What Will I learn
- Students will demonstrate ability in mathematical and statistical theory necessary to understand statistical methods typically applied in data analysis.
- Students will demonstrate ability in computational methods necessary to do applied data analysis.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to use appropriate statistical methodologies for real-world data analysis settings.
- Students will evaluate ethical implications of aspects related to statistical inquiry, including study design, data collection, and data analysis.
- Students will be able to communicate key statistical concepts to non-statisticians effectively communicating statistical ideas and arguments.
- Math SLO Problem Solving: Undergraduate students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics will be able to demonstrate problem solving skills, state appropriate assumptions, correctly calculate, and draw accurate mathematical conclusion.
- Math SLO Integration: Undergraduate students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics will be able to integrate and apply appropriate mathematical forms, tools, and concepts through representation, relevance, and interpretation.
- Math SLO Define Problem: Undergraduate students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics will be able to construct a clear and insightful problem statement with evidence of all relevant contextual factors.
- Math SLO Communication: Undergraduate students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics will be able to effectively communicate results from mathematical models and statistical analysis to a multidisciplinary audience through oral and written reports.
