This spring, the Department of Statistics is offering a new undergraduate course: Applied Statistical Methods (STAT 1000).
The course, taught by senior lecturer Nancy Pfenning, is an intensive introduction to statistical methods, stressing the development of critical thinking skills and increased awareness of how these methods are applied in a variety of disciplines. It is designed for students who want to do data analysis and to study applied statistics beyond this course. Students are encouraged to investigate applications in their own majors or areas of personal interest.
Topics covered include descriptive statistics, elementary probability, random sampling, controlled experiments, hypothesis testing, regression, chi-square, and the analysis of variance.
In addition, students will be exposed to more advanced topics in modern statistical practice. Emphasis will be placed on the statistical reasoning underlying the methods. Students also will become proficient at the use of a statistical software package.