Majoring in Statistics

[Click to Return to the Majors/Minors Page]

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR IN STATISTICS
The major in statistics requires a minimum of 32 credits, with 20 credits (five courses) at the 300-level. It includes:

at least two courses selected from the applied courses:

and at least two courses selected from the more mathematical courses:

PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM
In a department as small as ours, the only way we can teach all the courses for the major is to offer some of them every other year. The two courses, Probability (Stat 342) and Mathematical Statistics (Stat 343), are offered every other year. These courses are available at Smith College in the alternate years. Stat 340 is offered every fall and is a prerequisite for Stat 341 and Stat 344, which are offered in alternate springs. Stat 340 is the core course for the major. If you are interested in statistics, or want to consider statistics as a possible major or minor, you would do well to take this course, as well as Calculus III and Linear Algebra, as a sophomore.

Sample program #1:

Year 1: Calculus I, Calculus II
Year 2: Calculus III, Linear Algebra, Data Analysis & Design
Year 3: Applied Regression, Linear Models
Year 4: Probability, Mathematical Statistics, Seminar

Sample program #2:

Year 1: Calculus I, Linear Algebra
Year 2: Applied Regression, Calculus II, Linear Models, Calculus III
Year 3: Probability, Data Analysis & Design, Seminar
Year 4: Mathematical Statistics, Independent work

It often makes sense to substitute other courses for one of the standard courses. Courses in econometrics, biostatistics, mathematical modeling, or other related fields may be substituted with departmental permission. If you are thinking about a junior year away you will need to plan your program early and with care. The two semester sequence, Probability and Mathematical Statistics, is commonly found at other institutions, but the other courses in the major may be more difficult to find elsewhere.

[Click to go to the top of this page]

INTERNSHIPS/RESEARCH/INDEPENDENT WORK
There are now many opportunities to work in an area related to your major and to receive a stipend. An undergraduate research program is offered at Mount Holyoke every summer for students interested in mathematics and statistics, and similar programs exist at other colleges and universities. Summer and January internships are available at business and research laboratories. Many students follow up a summer program after the junior year with related independent work in the senior year, perhaps culminating in an honors thesis. Faculty welcome a wide range of proposals for independent projects. All seniors doing independent work are encouraged to report on their projects at the annual Science Symposium in April.

AFTER GRADUATION

Statistics is used in most of the professions, in most sectors of the economy, and in a great many academic areas. Each year some students enter graduate programs in statistics, or in allied fields (business, economics, education, or psychology). Many students enter the job market and return later for advanced degrees.

Actuarial Science: Students interested in this area should plan to cover the material that is included in the first two actuarial exams as part of their undergraduate program. This material is included in Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, and Probability, along with Macroeconomic Theory, Microeconomic Theory, and the Economics of Corporate Finance. Students are encouraged to obtain experience through an internship.

Biostatistics, public health: Students interested in these areas should include substantial work in biology, chemistry, geology, and/or environmental studies in their programs.

Economics or Business: Many students with these interests choose the special major in mathematics and economics or the special major in statistics and economics.

Graduate programs: Students considering graduate school for statistics are encouraged to include Math 311 and especially Math 301 in their program of study.

Teaching Certification: Students interested in pursuing certification for middle school or secondary school should major in mathematics rather than statistics. However, since there is increasing emphasis on statistics in secondary school, any of the applied statistics courses would be good preparation.

[Go to Top]

[Go to Majors/Minors Page]