Download Department of Statistics Faculty of Science What is Statistics?

Department of Statistics
Faculty of Science
information for prospective students
• published by the Dean’s Office, Faculty of Science •
What is Statistics?
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• Are the nitrogen levels in the Red River rising?
• Who is favoured to win the next municipal election?
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Statistics is about using data to make statements and inferences about the world around us in the presence of uncertainty. It is the scientific application of mathematical
principles to the collection, analysis, and presentation of
numerical data.1 Statistics is used to answer a wide variety of questions such as:
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• Is a new drug effective and safe for human use?
• Is the average global temperature rising?
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• How could we design an experiment to identify the
key factors affecting the quality of a chrome-plating
process?
What do Statisticians do?
Statisticians contribute to scientific inquiry by applying
their mathematical and statistical expertise to the design
of surveys and experiments; to the collection, processing, and analysis of data; and to the interpretation of the
results.1 They may apply their knowledge of statistical
methods to a variety of subject areas including
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Is Statistics for You?
Being a statistician is challenging. In addition to having
knowledge of statistical methods and concepts, you need
to have skills in mathematics and critical thinking, and
you need to be able to communicate effectively.
However, being a statistician can also be exciting and
rewarding. You get to work with researchers in many disciplines on important problems in the natural, physical
and social sciences.
• agriculture
• biological sciences such as genetics, botany, zoology
and ecology
• economics
• engineering
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• forensic science
• marketing
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• medicine
• psychology
• public health
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If you have a lively interest in many different areas, like
the idea of working cooperatively with scientists in other
fields, are able to step back to see the whole picture, and
find the idea of understanding the story behind the numbers appealing, then statistics may be for you!
A First Course in Statistics
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Many environmental, financial, industrial, medical and political decisions cannot be made without the use of statistical techniques, such as the design and analysis of clinical
trials to gain government approval for a new drug.
STAT 1000 (Basic Statistical Analysis I) is an excellent
starting point for finding out about the subject of statistics. This course is designed to include those topics deemed
crucial for an understanding of the foundations of statistical thinking and reasoning. It places an emphasis on the
development of critical thinking skills — the concepts of
statistical analysis are stressed rather than the mathematical or probabilistic derivations of results.
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American Statistical Association
Department of Statistics · Page 1
For Further Information
Please contact:
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Dr. John Brewster, Head
Department of Statistics
338 Machray Hall
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Telephone: (204)474-9826 or
(204) 474-8172
FAX: (204) 474-7621
e-mail: stats [email protected]
Website: umanitoba.ca/statistics/
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After completing University 1, a
student interested in pursuing a degree in Statistics would transit to
the Faculty of Science and register
in the second year of the program.
During this second year, such a student would normally take STAT 2000
(Basic Statistical Analysis II), which introduces more advanced statistical methods, and STAT 2400, which introduces the basic concepts of discrete probability and provides a solid foundation for further courses in mathematical statistics. In STAT 2400, applications of probability in
many areas are provided, including forensic science, games
of chance, genetics, reliability and statistical inference.
In the second or third year, students normally declare
their degree programs. The Department of Statistics offers
two undergraduate degree programs in Statistics as well as
joint honours programs with other departments.
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Undergraduate Programs in Statistics
The Department also offers graduate degrees at both the M.Sc. and
Ph.D. levels. These degrees involve
comprehensive study at an advanced
level. Graduates of the Master’s program are qualified to work as statisticians in many areas. The Ph.D. level
is the basic requirement for teaching and research at the
university level and for senior consulting positions.
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In addition to STAT 1000 (Basic Statistical Analysis I),
students interested in entering a Statistics program are
also encouraged to register for MATH 1300 (Vector Geometry and Linear Algebra), MATH 1500 (Introduction
to Calculus) and MATH 1700 (Calculus 2) during University 1. These are prerequisites for many of the second and
third year courses in Statistics.
Graduate Programs in Statistics
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Suggested University 1 Courses for Entering a Program in Statistics
Joint honours programs. These programs offer intensive studies not only in Statistics but also in other related
fields. Currently, the Department offers joint honours programs with the Departments of Economics and Mathematics and the Warren Centre for Actuarial Studies and Research. A joint honours program with Computer Science
will be approved shortly.
Four-year major program. This program is somewhat
more flexible than the four-year honours program, and the
academic requirements are not as demanding. Graduates
are able to enter the workforce in junior positions.
Accreditation of Courses
The Statistical Society of Canada has accredited most of
the 3000-level and 4000-level courses in Statistics as being
available for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Associate Statistician (A.Stat.) designation.
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Four-year honours program. This is an intensive, systematic program of study in Statistics, requiring high academic achievement. It is the best preparation for postgraduate study and leads to entry level positions as statisticians.
Note: In the event of any inconsistencies between the information provided in this Infosheet
and that of the University’s annual general Calendar, the Calendar entry shall prevail. The effective
date of information in this Infosheet is September,
2010.
Department of Statistics · Page 2