The Statistics major is designed to provide strong interdisciplinary knowledge of the application and theory of statistics with an emphasis on real data collection and analysis. The program emphasizes statistics both as a science unto itself and as a powerful service field, offering applications-based tools for disciplines such as mathematics, biology, environmental science, psychology, economics and other social sciences.
As a statistics major, you will be exposed to concepts and tools for working with data and will gain hands-on experience and critical thinking skills by designing, collecting and analyzing real data that go beyond the content of a first course in statistics. These experiences will involve solving problems in a group environment thereby increasing your interpersonal skills as well your ability to do independent research, something that will boost your marketability in an increasingly competitive business environment.
While other departments do offer statistics courses for their target audiences, the major will provide a focus and cohesion of statistical application and theory that no other department offers.
“I really enjoy the challenges of learning about the theories and uses of statistical tools in the classroom, but I think that the most valuable knowledge I gained… was through real-world experiences. I was able to plan, implement and analyze a variety of studies for a number of courses, and the application of theoretical statistical concepts in these situations deepened my understanding.”
Jaime L. Speiser ’10
Ohio State Ph.D. student
The interdisciplinary structure of the program ensures that the different elements of major coursework and general studies requirements, including those pertaining to experiential learning, are seamlessly integrated.
As part of the capstone experience for the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Statistics, students will have the option of completing a statistics research project and/or an internship in statistics. Students will also have the opportunity to present their research findings at Elon’s annual Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF), the department’s fall Senior Seminar Day or at national conferences.
All of these experiences will continue to expose you to the statistical issues of data production, management, modeling and analysis, as well as the non-statistical issues of teamwork, decision-making, and communication, both written and oral. It will also give students an appreciation of the application of statistics to another field.
Recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of statistics, the program will allow students to concentrate in areas that highlight the use of statistics in other fields while pursuing a degree in statistics. Students can choose among the following concentrations: mathematical statistics, actuarial science, bio-statistics, environmental statistics, and statistical methods in social sciences.
As part of their studies, students will learn to articulate important aspects of statistical problem solving that “everyone knows” but seldom articulates. As they gain exposure to new statistical models and theory, they will begin to apply statistical tools to real-world cases and develop statistical thinking skills to later synthesize new ideas and information with existing ideas and information.
Upon graduation, students will have sufficient knowledge, understanding and skill in statistical practice to undertake substantive work in statistics and to stay current in the field. This work may be in the form of specialized graduate studies in statistics or a related field with strong statistical emphasis, entry-level statistical work in business or government, or applied research work.
Students will have the support and expertise of four faculty members whose primary area of study is statistics.
Dr. E. Aggie Chadraa, whose research focuses on stochastic processes and time series that are applied to financial mathematics, particularly to modeling stock market volatility. He received his Ph.D. degree in Statistics from Colorado State University. He joined Elon University in 2009.
Dr. Ayesha Delpish, who is the principal founder of Elon’s statistics program, joined the department in 2005. Her academic interests lie in hierarchical linear modeling, structural equation modeling, educational measurement and testing, and statistics education. She was the co-recipient in 2008 of Elon College’s Excellence in Service/Leadership award.
Dr. Kirstie Doehler, whose research focuses on survival analysis, equivalence testing, and statistics education. She also does statistical consulting and has been involved in Elon's Teaching and Learning Program. She joined the department in 2008.
Dr. Laura Taylor, who specializes in the combination of two areas of survival analysis – competing risks and recurrent events – that deal with failure time data, which is commonly observed in settings such as biomedical, engineering and reliability. She joined the department in 2008.
"Every teacher in the statistics [program] goes above and beyond to make sure that you not only learn the material, but gain a passion and understanding for how what you're learning can be used in everyday life."
Abigail Lauer ’09
University of South Carolina graduate student
Exceptional high school students planning to major in statistics could qualify for Elon College Fellows, a challenging program in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Honors Fellows program. Elon’s Fellows programs offer scholarships, special course offerings, study abroad grants and much more. View the Elon Fellows programs Website for more information.
Statistics promotes quantitative critical thinking skills that serve students in the rest of their course of studies at Elon and in their professional careers after graduation.
The concentrations are designed to expose students to topics that are not part of the traditional statistical curriculum, and to provide some background in the terminology and thought processes of other disciplines as opposed to getting additional statistical content. In so doing, the concentrations allow students to be better prepared to work with researchers in those disciplines as support.
The Bachelor of Science curriculum is designed to support students who are interested in the major as a stand-alone degree or who intend to pursue graduate studies in statistics, a related health field such as bio-statistics/epidemiology/public health or seeking a professional career in actuary science. The Bachelor of Arts is designed to facilitate students interested in double-majoring in statistics-supported fields such as the social sciences, biology or environmental science.
Graduate school is required for students interested in teaching at the college level and is recommended for anyone pursuing specialties in statistics.
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