Statistics (BA)

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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, visualization, 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 analytical 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 options that allow a student to prepare for a variety of future paths.

The Bachelor of Arts - Statistics program is designed to be flexible, with exposure to the breadth of statistical thinking, and including a required minor in a field of the students’ choice.
The Bachelor of Science in Statistics (Classical) program requires additional coursework in statistics, mathematics, and/or computer science, preparing students for graduate work in statistics or for positions in more mathematically-intensive areas of statistics.
The Bachelor of Science in Statistics (Data Science) program prepares students to make meaning from complex data sets for work in computationally-rich fields.

Graduates 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,” https://www.amstat.org/asa/education/home.aspx/curriculumguidelines.cfm.

STATISTICAL COMMUNICATION

All statistics majors will develop their skills as speakers and as writers. STAT 310 is a Writing-Enhanced/Speaking-Enhanced course where students examine “writing about research.” All students complete a capstone experience that includes a presentation and a paper. Many other STAT courses involve less formal writing and speaking experiences in a variety of settings, including longer and shorter forms, formal and informal styles, in-person and online delivery, with a special emphasis on communication products aimed at technical experts and non-experts.

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

All Statistics students are encouraged to talk to their advisor about selecting 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.

On campus, our student-driven statistical consulting center, CASE, gives students a chance to work with clients from across and beyond campus with real data. Data Science contests such as ASA DataFest give students a chance to solve real world problems in a short time frame.

Students may obtain credit and research experience by participating in 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.

JOINT 4+1 GRADUATE/UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Truman offers a Master of Science in Data Science and Analytical Storytelling that prepares students for careers in a variety of industries in Data Science, Data Analytics, and related fields. Although this graduate program is open to students of any major, STAT majors may use some courses to fulfill requirements for both programs. See that part of the catalog for more details on the Data Science and Analytic Storytelling (MS) or talk to the Statistics Department Chair or the Data Science Program Director.

Truman also partners with the University of Missouri, Columbia to offer a 4+1 program leading to a Truman undergraduate degree in Statistics and a Mizzou Masters Degree in Statistics. Several Truman courses, including STAT 570G and STAT 571G , and several Mizzou courses, STAT 8310 and 8320 may count towards both degrees. Talk to the Department Chair for more details.

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;
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:

Dialogues Requirements: 42-61 Credits

Missouri Statute (1-4 credits)

Bachelor of Arts Requirement: 0-8 Credits

Intermediate proficiency in ONE foreign language

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

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

Part I: Required Support: 34-35 Credits

Courses listed in Required Support may double count for Dialogues, minors, or other campus requirements, but may not double count with requirements listed elsewhere in this major. Students should work with their advisor to pick the right set of courses for their future goals.

STAT 190 - Basic Statistics Credit(s): 3
OR STAT 290 - Statistics Credit(s): 3
MATH 198 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Credit(s): 5
MATH 263 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus II Credit(s): 5
OR STAT 260 - Applied Mathematics for Data Analysis Credit(s): 4
MATH 285 - Matrix Algebra Credit(s): 3
OR MATH 357 - Linear Algebra Credit(s): 3
CS 170 - Introduction to Computer Science I Credit(s): 4
OR CS 180 - Foundations of Computer Science I Credit(s): 4
Any minor offered at Truman State University (15+ credits)
OR 15+ credits on a unified theme as approved by the advisor and department chair, typically by the end of the sophomore year.

Part II: Core Requirements: 26 Credits

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

Students may not count STAT 378 in the Statistics major.

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

STAT 101 - Freshman seminar in Statistics Credit(s): 1
STAT 220 - Fundamentals of Data Science Credit(s): 3
STAT 250 - Statistical Computing Credit(s): 3
STAT 310 - Data Collection & Statistical Communication Credit(s): 3
STAT 330 - Introduction to Linear Models Credit(s): 3
STAT 370 - Probability Credit(s): 3
OR STAT 570 - Mathematical Probability and Statistics I Credit(s): 3
STAT 398 - Intermediate Seminar in Statistics Credit(s): 1
STAT 478 - Regression Analysis Credit(s): 3
STAT 497 - Statistics Capstone Experience Credit(s): 2
STAT 498 - Senior Seminar in Statistics Credit(s): 1

3 credits of 400+ level coursework selected from:

STAT 410 - Probability Models Credit(s): 3
STAT 420 - Multivariate Statistics and Data Mining Credit(s): 3
OR STAT 520 - Data Mining and Multivariate Statistics Credit(s): 3
STAT 430 - Bayesian Analysis Credit(s): 3
STAT 435 - Categorical Data Analysis Credit(s): 3
STAT 438 - Time Series Analysis Credit(s): 3
STAT 475 - Design of Experiments Credit(s): 3
STAT 487 - Topics in Statistics Credit(s): 1 to 3
STAT 571 - Mathematical Probability and Statistics II Credit(s): 3

Part III: Statistics Electives: 6+ Credits

6 credits or more of STAT coursework not counted elsewhere in the major. The following courses may not be used here: STAT 190, 251, 260, 289, 290, and 378.

Up to 3 hours may be included from the following Applied/High-Impact STAT courses:

STAT 412 - Advanced Consulting Practicum Credit(s): 1-4
STAT 460 - Undergraduate Off-Campus Statistics Practicum Credit(s): 2-6
STAT 471 - Internship: Statistics Credit(s): 3-12 and STAT 472 - Internship: Evaluation and Analysis Credit(s): 1-3
STAT 473 - Undergraduate Statistics Research Credit(s): 1-3
STAT 486 - Undergraduate Reading in Statistics Credit(s): 1 to 3

Electives to Total: 120 Credits

High-Impact Experiences and Capstones

All Truman Students are required to complete a High-Impact Experience beyond their capstone experiences. Statistics students are encouraged to consider statistically-intensive experiences, such as internship and practicum experiences, research experiences, data contests (such as ASAS Datafest), and consulting experiences (such as CASE).

Students who complete two or more High-Impact Experiences, including at least one that is statistically-intensive, may request to have a statistically-intensive High-Impact Experience to substitute for STAT 497 . Course credits may only be used once in the STAT major. All STAT students must complete their Senior Seminar, STAT 498 .

Notes:

Transfer students majoring in statistics must complete 18 credits in the major at Truman. This coursework must include 15 credits at the 300 level or higher.

Students may not count STAT 378 in the STAT major.

Students may not count both STAT 375 and STAT 475 in the STAT major.