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
Study design and analysis: 4 sh
Select one study design and analysis course from the following:
| STS 3230 | Methods in Survey Design, Sampling & Estimation | 4 sh |
| STS 3250 | Design and Analysis of Experiments | 4 sh |
Statistical computing: 4 sh
Select one statistical computing course from the following
| STS 3270 | Statistical Computing for Data Management | 4 sh |
| STS 3300 | Statistical Methods for Data Analytics | 4 sh |
Statistical theory: 4 sh
Select one statistical theory course from the following
Note: students in the Actuarial Science concentration are required to take /sts-3410'>STS 3410.
Statistics electives: 4 sh
Select at least one course from the following:
| STS 3230 | Methods in Survey Design, Sampling & Estimation | 4 sh |
| STS 2560 | Applied Nonparametric Statistics | 4 sh |
| STS 3250 | Design and Analysis of Experiments | 4 sh |
| STS 3270 | Statistical Computing for Data Management | 4 sh |
| STS 3300 | Statistical Methods for Data Analytics | 4 sh |
| STS 3410/MTH 3410 | Probability Theory and Statistics | 4 sh |
| STS 3470 | 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:
| STS 4980 | Statistics Practicum | 4 sh |
| STS 4985 | Internship in Statistics | 2-4 sh |
| STS 4999 | 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
Select one course from the following that was not already taken as part of the major requirements: 4 sh
Actuarial Science: 20 sh
Required course: 16 sh
Select one course from the following: 4 sh
| STS 3470 | Statistical Computing for Simulation and Theory | 4 sh |
| FIN 4120 | Investments | 4 sh |
| FIN 4160 | Fundamentals of Insurance and Estate Planning | 4 sh |
| FIN 4180 | Financial Markets and Institutions | 4 sh |
| FIN 4190 | Financial Planning | 4 sh |
| FIN 4330 | Derivatives | 4 sh |
For the Actuarial Science concentration, /sts-3470'>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
Track B
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
| STS 3270 | Statistical Computing for Data Management | 4 sh |
| STS 3300 | 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
| MTH 2300 | Mathematical Methods for Data Analytics | 4 sh |
| CSC 2300 | Computer Science II | 4 sh |
| MEA3290 | Applied Media Analytics | 4 sh |
| MGT 4250 | Data Visualization and Storytelling | 4 sh |
| MGT 4260 | Data Mining for Managerial Decision Making | 4 sh |
Total Credit Hours: 56-60
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
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. Upon graduation, students should be able to:
Design and critique strategies for acquiring data —such as sample surveys, experiments, observational studies, and simulations—as appropriate to the investigative context.
Apply statistical concepts to solve real-world problems and interpret results.
Effectively use at least two statistical software or programming languages with an emphasis on computational reproducibility.
Reflect on ethical implications of data-based decisions and technologies.
Clearly and accurately communicate statistical concepts, methods, and results to address specific audiences (technical and non-technical).