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STATISTICS

The field of statistics is concerned with ways of understanding variability in measurements. It is the science and art of making informed decisions in the face of uncertainty. Statistical reasoning is fundamental to research in many scientific fields: probabilistic models of learning are used in education and psychology, and time series and regression models guide research in engineering, chemistry, economics, biology, and medicine. Recent high-profile court cases have shown the importance of the use of probability and statistics in law, especially in the fields of forensic medicine and DNA fingerprinting. Statisticians have also been instrumental in developing methods by which observations are obtained in many disciplines; examples include randomized clinical trials in medicine and complex sample surveys in social and political science. Probability and statistics also are basic to actuarial sciences. When lists are compiled of the most important scientific theories and discoveries of the last century, a substantial number of these developments are seen to be inherently statistical in nature.

The Department of Statistics offers course work leading to a BS in statistics as well as a wide array of introductory service courses for general undergraduate audiences that deal with statistical methods in applications (and which require only high school mathematics). Students considering majoring in statistics should consult with the department advisor early in their studies, preferably during the freshman year. For more information on the major and the Department of Statistics, see http://www.stat.pitt.edu/.

Major Requirements

The statistics major requires a minimum of 49 credits, including the following required courses:

1. STAT 1000* (Applied Statistical Methods)
2. STAT 1221 (Applied Regression)
3. STAT 1151 (Introduction to Probability) and 1152 (Introduction to Mathematical Statistics)
4. Two introductory applied statistics courses from the following list:
   • STAT 1201 (Applied Nonparametric Statistics)
   • STAT 1211 (Applied Categorical Data Analysis)
   • STAT 1231 (Applied Experimental Design)
   • STAT 1241 (Applied Sampling)
   • STAT 1251 (Statistical Quality Control)
   • STAT 1291-1294 (Topics in Applied Statistics 1, 2, 3, and 4)
5. One intermediate applied statistics course from the following list:
   • STAT 1301 (Statistical Packages)
   • STAT 1311 (Applied Multivariate Analysis)
   • STAT 1321 (Applied Time Series)
6. STAT 1631 (Intermediate Probability) and 1632 (Intermediate Mathematical Statistics)
7. One statistics course from the following list:
   • STAT 1651 (Introduction to Bayesian Statistics)
   • STAT 1661 (Linear Regression)
   • STAT 1662 (Nonlinear Regression)
   • STAT 1731 (Stochastic Processes)
   • STAT 1741 (Applied Probability Theory)
   • STAT 1761 (Game Theory)
   • STAT 1781 (Combinatorics)
   • STAT 1791-4 (Topics in Probability and Statistics 1, 2, 3, and 4)
8. One elective from 4, 5, or 7 above
9. MATH 0220, 0230, and 0240 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, 3)
10. Either MATH 0280 (Introduction to Matrices and Linear Algebra) or 1180 (Linear Algebra 1)

*Note: with approval of their major advisor, students may substitute STAT 0200 (Basic Applied Statistics) with a minimum grade of B- for STAT 1000 (Applied Statistical Methods). Statistics-Business dual majors may, with approval, substitute STAT 1100 (Statistics and Probability for Business Management) for 1000.

Because professional statisticians collaborate with other scientists, students are encouraged to take elective courses from the behavioral, natural, physical, and social sciences.

• Statistics majors must adhere to the following rules and requirements as well:
  • Students must earn at least a C grade in each course required for the major.
  • Students may not take required courses on the S/N option.
  • Since 15 credits of mathematics is one of the corequisites for the major, students who complete the major automatically fulfill the CAS 12-credit related area requirement.
  • Courses in technical writing and public speaking are recommended.
  • Students planning to continue their studies in a graduate program are strongly advised to take MATH 0413 (Introduction to Theoretical Mathematics), MATH 0420 (Introductory Theory), MATH 1180 (Linear Algebra 1), and as many additional mathematics courses in advanced calculus, numerical analysis, and computer sciences as possible.
• In order to qualify for departmental honors at graduation, students must:
  • Have a QPA of at least 3.50 in all mathematics and statistics courses taken and a QPA of at least 3.70 in all 1000-level courses taken within the department.
  • Complete the two-term sequence STAT 1631(Intermediate Probability) and 1632 (Intermediate Mathematical Statistics) or a two-term graduate-level statistics course.
  • Complete all other requirements for the statistics major.

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