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
- Chance News Wiki
- DASL (The data and storage library)
- Statlib
- FedStats
- U.S. Census Bureau
Careers in Statistics
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (from the U.S. Department of Labor)
- Careers Center (from the American Statistical Association)
Statistics Jobs