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Applied Statistics

Statistics is the study of data and how it can be collected, analyzed, and presented in order to answer questions pertaining to the world around us. The impact of statistics on society today is profound. Statistical tables, survey results, and the language of probability are used with increasing frequency by the media. The improvements in computer technology make it easier than ever to use statistical methods and to manipulate massive amounts of data.

Applied Statistics

Statistics has a strong influence on physical sciences, social sciences, engineering, business, and industry. A statistician often finds that a career in the field of statistics not only requires knowledge of statistics, but also knowledge about the field generating the question of interest. Common fields of application include business, demography, economics, engineering, environmental science, geography, the health sciences, psychology, and sociology, among others.

The applied statistics minor adopts an interdisciplinary perspective to develop the student’s ability to perform statistical analysis. This minor will prepare students to analyze data in their professional work. In addition, it will also provide background for those students who intend to pursue work in applied disciplines.

A minimum of 15 credit hours is required for the minor in applied statistics. Specific required courses are listed below.

One of the following: 3 credits
STAT 140 General Statistics 3 credits
STAT 240 Statistical Analysis 3 credits
PSY 201 Statistical Methods 3 credits
IDS 205 Business Statistics 3 credits
CE 202 Statistical Applications in Civil Engineering 3 credits
ECE 365 Probability and Statistics for Electrical and Computer Engineers 3 credits
One of the following: 3 credits
STAT 340 Statistics for Decision Making 3 credits
IDE 340 Statistics for Decision Making 3 credits
ECON 325 Econometrics 3 credits
Three courses from one or two of the following groups: 9 credits
One course from the following (not taken above):
STAT 340 Statistics for Decision Making 3 credits
IDE 340 Statistics for Decision Making 3 credits
ECON 325 Econometrics 3 credits
One course from the following:
POLS 260 Research Methods in Political Science 3 credits
PSY 202 Research Methods in Psychology 3 credits
SOC 320 Research Methods in Sociology 3 credits
Two or three courses from the following:
ECON 493 Seminar in Applied Statistics 3 credits
STAT 493 Seminar in Applied Statistics 3 credits
STAT 441 Probability 3 credits
STAT 442 Mathematical Statistics 3 credits
STAT 343 Time Series Analysis 3 credits
STAT 344 Applied Probability and Statistical Decision Theory 3 credits
CS 325 Simulation and Modeling 3 credits
GEO 415 Advanced Geographic Information Systems 3 credits
GEO 460 Data Analysis 3 credits
MET 460 Data Analysis 3 credits
IDS 320 Management Science 3 credits

Administrative Committee

As applied statistics is an interdisciplinary study, the faculty on the administrative committee comes from departments in the College of Business and the College of Arts & Sciences.

Hugh Gong
Applied Statistics Advisor
Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
Gellersen 215, Tel: 219.464.5033
Email: hui.gong@valpo.edu

Tiffany Kolba
Applied Statistics Advisor
Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
Gellersen 114, Tel: 219.464.6022
Email: tiffany.kolba@valpo.edu

Ceyhun Ozgur
Professor of Information and Decision Sciences
Urschel 227, Tel: 219.464.5178
Email: Ceyhun.Ozgur@valpo.edu

Professional Organizations

Data Resources

Careers in Statistics

Statistics Jobs