Statistics, B.S. Program (120 units)
Program Description
Statistics is the science of learning from data. Majors study collecting and analyzing a variety of data, and reporting the results of the analysis. Designs of Experiments are used to plan data collection in experimental settings, such as in medical research. Surveys are used to collect opinions from samples in populations, such as in political polling. Observational data is collected commonly by business as part of standard business processes, such as in website analytics. Statistical methods are used to process data into easily read visual displays, and into summary statistics for interpretation, decision making, and reporting.
Statistics has been a rapidly growing science for many years and has many uses in other fields, such as Business Analytics, Machine Learning, Visualization, Econometrics, Biostatistics, Psychology, and many others. Statistics is widely used by businesses and government organizations to understand changes in the economy and to make forecasts about future events based on past patterns in their data. Statistics is used to model relationships between variables and to predict future values of output variables from input variables. Statistical methods draw accurate inferences about large groups on the basis of a representative sample from the group or population. Descriptive Statistics are used to summarize and visualize the collected data.
The methodology of statistics can be adapted to many types of problems. Due to the extensive development of computers and the collection of large databases, the need for statistical techniques has greatly expanded in recent years. A society like ours, which has become increasingly dependent on its data, has a growing need for statisticians.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.S. in Statistics from Cal State East Bay will be able to:
- Apply basic computational skills in descriptive statistics and data visualization, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, modeling and error analysis, including the use of large data sets.
- Analyze data using appropriate software, including cloud-based software, and to interpret results covering descriptive statistics and data visualization, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, modeling and error analysis, including the use of large data sets.
- Communicate to others results involving descriptive statistics and data visualization, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, modeling and error analysis using reproducible research best practices.
- Acquire data using methods of design of experiments, survey sampling, or observational data, including data scraping and data wrangling from open source data and free data sources.
Career Opportunities
Actuary • Biostatistician • Business Analyst • Census Analyst • Credit Analyst • Customer Analytics Specialist • Data Analyst • Data Manager • Data Scientist • Data Visualization Designer • Educational Researcher • Financial Modeler • Information Systems Analyst • Marketing Analytics Specialist • Quality Control Specialist • R programmer • Research Statistician • Sales Analyst • Statistical Programmer • Sports Analyst • Statistician • Survey Designer • Systems Analyst • Teacher
Preparation
- For Advanced Placement course equivalencies, see the Registration chapter.
- The theory of statistics rests on a mathematical foundation. Even for statisticians whose primary interest is in applications, challenging mathematical problems arise continually. Calculus and computer programming are required for the major. An elementary course in linear algebra is highly recommended.
- Courses in areas to which statistics is applied will also be helpful. Examples are business, biology, chemistry, geography, social sciences, psychology, and physics.
- Community college students are advised to complete the lower division requirements for the major before transferring to Cal State East Bay.
Credit/No Credit Courses
It is the policy of the department that no course taken on a “CR/NC” basis may be applied towards any of the Upper Division Core requirements. Individual petitions for waiver of this policy will be treated according to the same procedures as petitions to waive other degree requirements.
Double Major
A knowledge of statistical methods is of increasing importance to students in many areas, especially the physical, computing, decision, environmental, biological, and social sciences and administrative studies (including business, health care, and education). A second major in statistics along with a major in one of these areas may result in better preparation for employment or graduate study. The following three factors combine to make such a double major feasible in many cases:
- The Statistics major allows for a relatively large number of unrestricted elective units. The student may elect courses required for the other major among these.
- Up to fifteen units in certain areas outside of Statistics may be applied toward the Statistics degree. (See Area of Emphasis requirement, 4.)
- Some other majors require Statistics courses that also count towards the Statistics major (e.g., STAT 310, STAT 303, STAT 320, STAT 330, etc.).
- Contact an advisor to develop a clear plan for completing the major.
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consists of 48-49 units
- General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consists of 57 units;
- Free Electives may consist of 14-15 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).
Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.
