Major in Statistics
Statistics is the science of drawing meaning and interpretation about some phenomena by observing it via data. As such, methods for collecting data, visualizing data, modeling data and analyzing data are studied in Statistics. In essence, Statistics is the translation layer that converts raw data into meaning, insight and action.
As the role Statistics plays in extracting meaning from data is widely useful, its impact has been felt broadly across disciplines. Areas of application include business, sports, health, medicine, the environment, engineering, the social sciences, psychology, marketing, public policy, government, surveys, design of experiments, genetics, tomography, speech recognition, computational vision, language models, nuclear physics, and many more. As a result of this diversity of applications, statisticians enjoy the rare luxury of learning a general scientific toolset that allows one to develop careers in specialized areas that suit their interests.
Statistics is a vibrant field that is embarking on an even more exciting journey as we speed ahead in the data-rich modern era. Learning statistical thinking allows students to conceptualize how to model data, understand when and why models work, and appreciate uncertainties and risk. It is one of the foundational fields in the interdisciplinary area of data science, alongside computer science, information science, and probability and mathematics. A consequence is that the demand for skilled statisticians has been steadily rising, with the field offering statisticians a variety of exciting career opportunities.
We expect to offer two courses of study in Statistics starting in Fall 2026. Our major in Statistics (B.A.) provides a grounded mathematical training and is designed to serve the needs of students who wish to pursue a career after completing the degree, as well as students with an interest in pursuing graduate-level education.
Our specialization in Statistics within Data Sciences (B.S.) is offered in collaboration with the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. It is designed to serve the needs of students interested in applied statistics, data science and the intersection with computing, who aim to pursue a career after completing the degree. Please contact our Director of Undergraduate Studies for more information.
