Future Students

Academics

Applied Statistics

College of Sciences


 

QUICK JUMP
  Applied Statistics
  Core and Option Courses
  Careers in Applied Statistics
  Salaries
  Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Campus Organizations and Activities
  Contact Information

Applied Statistics

Applied statistics, an option within the mathematics major, focuses on the mathematical principles involved in the collection, analysis, and presentation of data. This option prepares students for work as statisticians in such areas as health sciences, engineering, business, agriculture, psychology, sociology, law, and public policy.
• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in mathematics with an applied statistics option
• Available at: Pullman

Core and Option Courses

In addition to the courses listed below, students must complete courses to meet University general education requirements and College of Sciences requirements, as well as a writing portfolio. Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

MATHEMATICS CORE COURSES
Cpt S 121—C Programming, or two of the following:
     • Cpt S 153—BASIC Programming
     • 203—FORTRAN
     • 251—C Programming
Math 171 & 172—Calculus I & II
Math 220—Introductory Linear Algebra
Math 273—Calculus III
Math 300—Mathematical Computing
Math 315—Differential Equations
Math 360—Probability and Statistics
     or 443—Applied Probability
Math 420—Linear Algebra
Math 398—Mathematical Snapshots
Math 421—Algebraic Structures
Math 401 & 402—Introduction to Analysis I & II
Physics 201—Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Engl 402—Technical and Professional Writing
Four Math electives (consult with advisor)

APPLIED STATISTICS OPTION COURSES
Math 364—Principles of Optimization
Cpt S 122—Data Structures
Math 423—Statistical Method for Engineers and Scientists
Math 456—Introduction to Statistical Theory
Dec S 418—Quality Improvement for Management
Math 417—Simulation Methods
Stat 530—Applied Linear Models
Math 448—Numerical Analysis
Math 464—Operations Research and Game Theory
One Statistics elective

Careers in Applied Statistics

Statisticians are employed by business, industry, government, and educational institutions. Careers include work in diverse fields such as health sciences, engineering, business, agriculture, psychology, sociology, law, and public policy. Statisticians work with data collected by other investigators and help design and analyze experiments and surveys. Some employers prefer hiring job candidates with master’s degrees.

Salaries

A 2001 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that average starting salaries for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in statistics were $46,466 per year. The average annual salary for statisticians in the federal government (about 20% of U.S. statisticians) was $68,900 in 2001.

Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Students planning to major in mathematics at WSU should take four years of mathematics in high school through at least pre-calculus. Most mathematics majors begin with first or second semester calculus (Math 171 or 172).
• Choosing electives or creating a minor to gain a background in an area in which you hope to apply your statistical training (such as business, social science, or biology) is important.
• Computer skills are essential.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Endowed scholarships are available from the Department of Mathematics and the College of Sciences. A variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored programs, loans, grants, and scholarships are also available to assist qualified students with education costs.

Campus Organizations and Activities

• Math Club (a support group for math students that sponsors speakers, films, and other activities)
• Women in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (a group that offers support and enrichment programs)
• The Washington State University national math modeling team
• The national Putnam mathematics competition

Contact Information
Department of Mathematics
Washington State University
PO Box 643113
Pullman, WA 99164-3113
arndtm@wsu.edu
509-335-3926
 

Strengths of the Program

  • Math lab facilities include 25 networked Linux computers with software for differential equations, linear algebra, and calculus, and two PC labs containing 40 computers with math education software.
  • Students gain strong instruction in analysis/differential equations, computational math, discrete math, mathematical modeling, mathematics education, optimization, probability, and statistics.
  • Math majors assist faculty on research projects ranging from atmospheric science to genetics using the department’s research-computing workstations.
  • The Owen Science and Engineering Library subscribes to more than 200 math journals, and there are 15,000 volumes in the math section of the library.
  • Our internship program places students at Boeing Corporation, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and other national labs and businesses.
  • Join other science, math, and engineering students in the Gannon-Goldsworthy residence hall—share courses with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s own computer lab.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us