Statistics

Perla E. Reyes, Head
Juan Du, Director of Graduate Studies
Trevor Hefley, Director of Graduate Studies

101 Dickens Hall
785-532-6883
gradrec@ksu.edu
http://www.ksu.edu/stats/

Statistics is a science which combines ideas from classical and modern mathematics, probability theory, inductive reasoning, and computer science to develop tools for extracting critical insights from data. It is a dynamic and continuously evolving discipline driven by scientific and technological breakthroughs that both increase the complexity and volume of available data. Statistical analysis plays a central role in all disciplines that make evidence-based decisions, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, and the demand for skilled statisticians and data scientists continues to grow rapidly. Today, statisticians and data scientists are partners in most scientific and technological enterprises.

Careers

“The best thing about being a statistician is that you get to play in everyone’s backyard.” - John Tukey

There are a wide variety of career opportunities for a professional statistician. Nearly every field that collects and stores data—including the natural and physical sciences, medicine, engineering, sports, and education—employs statisticians. Subject experts have sought statisticians to help solve a broad range of problems, including detecting changes in the environment, developing new vaccines, improving product reliability, increasing crop yield, calculating insurance risks, scouting football players, building and testing artificial intelligence solutions, and developing recommendation systems. Statistics is a field in which experts have virtually unlimited opportunities.

While many statisticians opt to work in private industry, employment opportunities abound in other sectors as well. Many state and federal government agencies—not just the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of the Census—employ large teams of statisticians. Universities have faculty openings for statisticians within many academic departments—not just statistics, including data science, public health, mathematics, management sciences, economics, political science, genetics, history, and psychology, and often hire additional statisticians to provide administrative and research support. Finally, private consulting can be lucrative for the experienced statistician who desires to work with both private industry and government. Organizations of all sizes rely on statisticians to extract insights and draw actionable conclusions from their data.

Preparation

The Department of Statistics accepts students with a strong quantitative background. The graduate programs welcome students from many different disciplines. Students entering the M. S. program should have a background of calculus, matrix algebra, computer programming, and introductory statistics. Students entering the Ph.D. program should have additional course work in statistics and mathematics.

Degree Programs

The Department of Statistics offers four-degree programs: B.S. in statistics, a concurrent B.S./M.S. in statistics, M.S in statistics (Mathematical Statistics Track or Data Science and Analytics Track), and Ph.D. in statistics. A master’s degree is recommended for a career in industry or government. The Ph.D. degree is usually required for post-secondary teaching and higher-level positions. The department offers concentrations in applied, computational, and mathematical probability and statistics.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics

The department offers the Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics to recognize the preparation and proficiency of non-majors in data analysis in a wide variety of subject matter areas. Graduate students in a variety of academic disciplines are conducting research that requires knowledge in applied statistics. Such students may wish to demonstrate proficiency in applied statistics as it may be useful when looking for meaningful employment opportunities, in addition to helping them become better researchers in their chosen fields. In order to strengthen their educational programs and the quality of graduate education, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics has been developed.

Consulting opportunities

The department does a tremendous amount of consulting work for researchers and students on campus and for individuals and agencies off campus. Projects vary in length of time and sophistication of methods needed to complete them. Students may contact the department head to find out what is available. Those who wish to do consulting will be assigned a faculty member to direct the work. At the student’s discretion, up to 2 hours credit may be earned for consulting by registering for STAT 945.