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THE MAJOR
The Statistics
major is offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics within the College
of Science & Mathematics.
JMU
Tracks: Applied Statistics, Mathematical Statistics
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSSTAT.shtml
Description
of Major:
Statistics is offered as a major at JMU. The Mathematics
and Statistics Department offers a program that meets
the needs of both the public and the private sectors
for graduates with degrees in Statistics. The program
has two tracks, Applied Statistics and Mathematical
Statistics, one of which must be chosen by each student
completing this major. Students interested in the applications
of statistics and planning to seek immediate employment
as practicing statisticians upon graduation are advised
to choose the Applied Statistics track. Emphasis
in this track is on the applications of statistics to
various fields of study. Students in this track will
take courses on the design and analysis of experiments,
regression analysis and sample surveys, as well as other
courses in applied and theoretical statistics, probability
and mathematics. Students who choose the applied statistics
track are encouraged to take as many elective courses
as possible in applied fields of choice. The Mathematical
Statistics track is designed for students who have
an interest in the mathematics of statistics or plan
to go to graduate school in statistics. Students in
this track will see more emphasis on probability and
the theory of statistics. These students will also have
a chance to take additional courses in applied and theoretical
statistics as well as courses in mathematics. Students
in this track are recommended to take elective courses
from the statistics and mathematics courses offered
by the department that will prepare them for graduate
studies.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
Statistics is a science that deals with the collection,
analysis, and presentation of numerical data. Statisticians
design studies and surveys, then carry out and interpret
the numerical results of these studies and surveys in
a broad range of disciplines. Statisticians provide
crucial guidance in determining what information is
reliable and which predictions can be trusted. They
often help search for clues to the solution of a scientific
mystery, and sometimes keep investigators from being
misled by false impressions. Statisticians work on many
challenging problems, such as: "analyzing consumer
demand for products and services within a marketing
firm, corporation, or consulting firm", "designing
and analyzing studies to determine if new drugs and
medical devices are safe and effective within a pharmaceutical
company, medical research center, or the FDA", "helping
scientists and future scientists collect and analyze
data to create information and develop new statistical
methodology within university departments of statistics,
mathematics, business, biostatistics, business, psychology,
or ecology", or "estimating the unemployment rate
in the United States at the Bureau of Labor Statistics".
Tell
me more about specializations in this field.
There are few industries / fields that do not rely on,
to some extent, the use of statistics. Due to the applied
nature of many statistical professions, statisticians
often develop skills specific to a particular field
of study. For government settings surveys are developed
and analyzed to determine how many people are unemployed
each month, increasing or decreasing rates of violent
crime, or what the U.S. exports and imports to countries
around the world. Government agencies want data on issues like
these to guide policy, and government statistical agencies
provide them by surveys of households and businesses.
In medicine, statisticians search for improved medical
treatments through careful experiments that compare
promising new treatments with the current strategies.
They work with medical teams to design the experiments
and to analyze the complex data produced. Studies of
the environment require data on the abundance and location
of plants and animals, on the spread of pollution from
its sources, and on the possible effects of changes
in human activities. Statistics used in market research
can determine promising locations for a new retail outlet
or specific consumer taste in music. Market researchers
use both government data and their own surveys to answer
questions like these. Statisticians design the elaborate
surveys that gather data for both public and private
use.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
Some common combinations with a Statistics major are:
Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Environmental
Management, Geographic Science, Geology, Health Sciences,
Integrated Science and Technology, Kinesiology, Mathematics,
Physics, Political Communication, Political Science,
Psychology, Quantitative Finance, Sociology, and Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Those students who are able to think independently,
creatively and like the challenge of constantly learning
new things and tackling new problems. A strong interest
in mathematics and computing is common also.
CAREERS
Recently, JobsRated.com ranked Statistician as the third best job in America, one place behind Actuary, based on salary, work conditions, and other factors. Many graduates choose typical career paths associated
with this major. However, some graduates choose nontraditional career fields that utilize skills and experiences developed
during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some
fields will require graduate study or further training.
The listing below offers examples of possible career
paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
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