Statistics B.S.
A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Statistics requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Statistical foundations: 12 sh
| STS2120 | Statistics in Application | 4 sh |
| STS2300 | Introduction to Data Analytics | 4 sh |
| STS2320 | Statistical Modeling | 4 sh |
Study design and analysis: 4 sh
Select one study design and analysis course from the following:
| STS2130 | Survey Sampling Methods | 4 sh |
| STS3250 | Design and Analysis of Experiments | 4 sh |
Statistical computing: 4 sh
Select one statistical computing course from the following
| STS3270 | Statistical Computing for Data Management | 4 sh |
| STS3300 | Statistical Methods for Data Analytics | 4 sh |
Statistical theory: 4 sh
Select one statistical theory course from the following
| STS3410/MTH3410 | Probability Theory and Statistics | 4 sh |
| STS3470 | Statistical Computing for Simulation and Theory | 4 sh |
Note: students in the Actuarial Science concentration are required to take STS 3410.
Statistics electives: 4 sh
Select at least one course from the following:
| STS2130 | Survey Sampling Methods | 4 sh |
| STS2560 | Applied Nonparametric Statistics | 4 sh |
| STS3250 | Design and Analysis of Experiments | 4 sh |
| STS3270 | Statistical Computing for Data Management | 4 sh |
| STS3300 | Statistical Methods for Data Analytics | 4 sh |
| STS3410/MTH3410 | Probability Theory and Statistics | 4 sh |
| STS3470 | Statistical Computing for Simulation and Theory | 4 sh |
The same course cannot count both as a study design and analysis, statistical computing, or statistical theory requirement and as an elective.
Mathematical foundations: 8 sh
Capstone: 4 sh
A related experiential/capstone experience approved by the department (4 sh). Approved options include:
| STS4980 | Statistics Practicum | 4 sh |
| STS4985 | Internship in Statistics | 2-4 sh |
| STS4999 | Independent Research in Statistics | 2-4 sh |
Total Credit Hours: 40
Concentrations
Select one of the following concentrations:
Mathematical statistics: 16 sh
Required courses: 12 sh
| MTH2310 | Linear Algebra | 4 sh |
| MTH2520 | Multivariable Calculus and Analytic Geometry | 4 sh |
| MTH3300 | Mathematical Reasoning | 4 sh |
Select one course from the following that was not already taken as part of the major requirements: 4 sh
| STS3410/MTH3410 | Probability Theory and Statistics | 4 sh |
| STS3470 | Statistical Computing for Simulation and Theory | 4 sh |
Actuarial Science: 20 sh
Required course: 16 sh
| ECO1000 | Principles of Economics | 4 sh |
| ACC2010 | Principles of Accounting | 4 sh |
| BUS2110 | Management Information Systems | 4 sh |
| FIN3430 | Principles of Finance | 4 sh |
Select one course from the following: 4 sh
| STS3470 | Statistical Computing for Simulation and Theory | 4 sh |
| FIN4120 | Investments | 4 sh |
| FIN4160 | Fundamentals of Insurance | 4 sh |
| FIN4180 | Financial Markets and Institutions | 4 sh |
| FIN4190 | Financial Planning | 4 sh |
| FIN4330 | Derivatives | 4 sh |
For the Actuarial Science concentration, STS 3470 cannot count both as an elective under Major Requirements and as an elective course for the concentration.
Biostatistics: 16 sh
Required course: 4 sh
| PHS3010 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 4 sh |
The PHS 2010 and PHS 2020 prerequisites for PHS 3010 will be waived for declared statistics majors pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree with the permission of the Public Health Studies Coordinator.
Select three courses from Track A or three courses from Track B: 12 sh
If a 3 sh course has an accompanying 1 sh lab, this lab course must be taken with the course.
Track A
| BIO1112 | Introductory Cell Biology | 3 sh |
| BIO1113 | Cell Biology Laboratory | 1 sh |
| BIO2212 | Principles of Genetics | 3 sh |
| BIO2213 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 sh |
| BIO2512 | Introductory Population Biology | 3 sh |
| BIO2513 | Population Biology Laboratory | 1 sh |
| BIO4212 | Topics in Advanced Genetics | 4 sh |
Track B
| BIO1514 | Biodiversity | 4 sh |
| BIO2512 | Introductory Population Biology | 3 sh |
| BIO2513 | Population Biology Laboratory | 1 sh |
| BIO3532 | The Biology of Animal Behavior | 4 sh |
| BIO3602/ENS3460 | Wetlands Ecology and Management | 4 sh |
| BIO3612 | Aquatic Biology: the Study of Inland Waters | 4 sh |
| BIO3622 | General Ecology | 4 sh |
Data Analytics: 16 sh
Required courses: 8 sh
Select one course from the following which was not already taken as part of the major requirements: 4 sh
| STS3270 | Statistical Computing for Data Management | 4 sh |
| STS3300 | Statistical Methods for Data Analytics | 4 sh |
For the Data Analytics concentration, neither of the two computing courses can count as the required core elective course.
Select one course from the following: 4 sh
| MTH2300 | Mathematical Methods for Data Analytics | 4 sh |
| CSC2300 | Computer Science II | 4 sh |
| MEA3290 | Applied Media Analytics | 4 sh |
| MGT4250 | Data Visualization and Storytelling | 4 sh |
| MGT4260 | Data Mining for Managerial Decision Making | 4 sh |
All graduating statistics majors are required to satisfactorily complete a senior comprehensive evaluation. This evaluation is not an exam, but it will require students to reflect upon related experiential accomplishments undertaken while completing the major. It is recommended that majors save work from their statistics courses to complete these reflections.
Program Outcomes
Student Learning Goals and Outcomes
Statistics promotes quantitative critical thinking skills that should serve the student in the rest of their course of studies at Elon and in their professional and educational careers after graduation. The statistics major at Elon will continue to draw strengths from other areas of the core. Specific outcomes that should prove valuable include the student’s ability to:
1. Explain the theoretical basis of commonly used statistical methods.
2. Design sample surveys and/or experiments for standard situations.
3. (a) Correctly analyze data from standard designed experiments, sample surveys, or observational studies.
(b) Correctly interpret the results from standard designed experiments, sample surveys, or observational studies.
4. Demonstrate sufficient statistical computing ability to manage data and implement standard statistical methods using at least one standard statistical package.
5. Illustrate the importance of statistics and the role it plays in making informed decisions in at least one discipline beyond Statistics.
6. Explain statistical ideas, methods, and results in writing, visually, and orally to non-statistical audiences.
These skills reflect the statistical expertise that students need to be effective statisticians and also include important skills that relate to the ability to function in the different types of jobs our students may seek.
Total Credit Hours: 56-60