2024-2025 University Catalog
Statistics
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OFFICE: Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science 413
TELEPHONE: 619-594-6191
Undergraduate Information
The Major
Statistics is the science which studies data - its collection, description, analysis, and interpretation. Almost all modern professions, from economists to engineers and from social scientists to medical scientists, rely on statistics. Statistical methods are used for studying relationships, predicting results, testing hypothesis, and a variety of other purposes.
The Bachelor of Science degree in statistics is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of probability and mathematical statistics, a complementary knowledge of basic methods for data collection and inference, and practical computing skills to carry out statistical analyses of problems in many different areas of application.
One option within the major allows students with a strong interest in statistical or biostatistical aspects of a particular science to apply courses in that science to their major. This option should provide the interested student with a good background for employment or graduate work in statistics, biostatistics, or in that science. Emphases in actuarial science and data science enable students to pursue further specializations aligned with professional opportunities in these areas.
Statistics is the discipline at the heart of the scientific method of discovery. Statistical principles are used in designing experiments and surveys to collect information, and statistical procedures are applied to summarize information, draw conclusions, and make decisions.
Because of the broad applicability of their training in statistical reasoning and data analysis, undergraduate majors are prepared for careers in diverse fields - such as biotechnology, environmental science, insurance, industrial manufacturing, and market research - in which the need for professionally trained statisticians is great.
Graduates who seek to acquire additional skills in applied or theoretical statistics may also consider programs of advanced study at the master’s or doctoral level. Statisticians with advanced degrees are sought for senior positions in industry and government, as well as teaching positions in secondary schools, community colleges, and universities.
Impacted Program
The statistics major and emphases are impacted programs. To be admitted to the statistics major or an emphasis, students must meet the following criteria:
- Complete preparation for the major.
- Complete MATH 150 and MATH 151 with a minimum grade of C (2.0) or better. These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC);
- Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).
Major Academic Plans (MAPs)
Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.
Graduate Information
Associateships
Graduate teaching associateships in statistics and biostatistics are available and are awarded on a competitive basis by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Application forms and additional information may be secured from the office of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
General Information
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree in statistics. Students may pursue either the general degree or a concentration in biostatistics that emphasizes statistical methods and applications in the biological, health, and medical sciences.
Statisticians and biostatisticians are engaged in the acquisition and use of knowledge through the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. Today, almost all disciplines - from economics to engineering, from social science to medicine - employ statistical methods. Such methods are essential in studying relationships, predicting results, and making informed decisions in many different contexts. This diversity of application of this field has stimulated the current demand for well-trained statisticians and biostatisticians at all degree levels.
The Master of Science degree provides advanced training, with emphasis on statistical methodology, and prepares students for careers in industry and government as applied statisticians or biostatisticians, or for entry into a doctoral program in statistics or biostatistics.
As part of the degree requirements, graduate students conduct theses or research projects under the guidance of faculty with active research interests in most general areas of probability, statistics, and biostatistics. These research areas include biostatistical methods, survival analysis, mathematical demography, data analysis, inference, stochastic processes, time series, Bayesian statistics, categorical data analysis, statistical computing, non-parametric statistics, sample surveys, multivariate analysis, linear models, experimental design, and clinical trials.
The graduate programs can prepare students for a teaching career.
Admission to Graduate Study
All students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Admission and Registration .
Chair: Blomgren, Peter V., Professor of Mathematics (M.Sc., The Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles)
Associate Chair: Levine, Richard A., Professor of Statistics (B.S., State University of New York at Binghamton; M.S., Ph.D., Cornell University)
Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:
Bailey, Barbara Ann, Associate Professor of Statistics (B.S., Springfield College in Illinois; M.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Ph.D., North Carolina State University)
Chen, Jianwei, Associate Professor of Statistics (B.S., National Huaqiao University, China; M.S., Ph.D., Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Fan, Juanjuan, Professor of Statistics (B.S., Fudan University, China; M.S., Ph.D., University of Washington)
Hasenstab, Kyle, Assistant Professor of Statistics (B.S., B.A. University of California, Irvine; M.S., Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles)
Levine, Richard A., Professor of Statistics (B.S., State University of New York at Binghamton; M.S., Ph.D., Cornell University)
Liao, Xiyue, Assistant Professor of Statistics (Ph.D., Colorado State University)
Lin, Chii-Dean, Associate Professor of Statistics (B.A., National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan; M.S., New Jersey Institute of Technology; Ph.D., Texas A&M University)
Wang, Xin, Assistant Professor of Statistics (B.S., Renmin University of China; M.S., Renmin University of China; Ph.D., Iowa State University)
Lecturers:
Duncan, Kristen A., Ph.D., Statistics
Scott, Laura, M.S., Statistics
Velado, Max E., M.S., Statistics
Emeritus Faculty:
Burdick, David L., Ph.D., 1968-1995, Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences
Macky, David W., Ph.D., 1969-1998, Associate Professor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
Noble, Helen A., M.S., 1984-2019, Lecturer in Mathematics and Statistics
Park, Chong Jin, Ph.D., 1972-1999, Professor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
Romano, Albert, Ph.D., 1963-1990, Professor of Mathematical Sciences
Programs
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