CHAIR: JAIMIE L. HEBERT

NAVIGATION: Statistics Minor | Course Descriptions

We live in an age of information and much of the information that we receive is based on mathematics. From the digital images that we send electronically to calculating the price per pound of tomatoes, we depend upon mathematics and computers in most of our every day experiences. The Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics consists of two primary programs of study, Mathematics and Computer Science. There also are options for undergraduates who wish to major or minor in either of these areas. Statistics programs of study are listed under the Mathematics program. Specific requirements for each degree are outlined under the respective program headings below.

SCHOLARSHIPS: The Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics offers several scholarships each year and Sam Houston State University offers additional scholarships. For information on departmental scholarships, contact the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships, telephone (936) 294-1672.

Curriculum: Minor in Statistics

Requirements are adjusted to accommodate program emphasis.

Emphasis on Statistical Theory
STA 379, 380, 471, 472, and two courses elected from STA 381, 470, 473, and 474.

Emphasis on Statistical Method
STA 379, 380, 381, 474, 473, and one course elected from CS 477, MTH 394, and MTH 396.

A concentration of twelve semester hours is appropriate for students who need an understanding of statistics to augment study in another field but who do not require a minor in statistics. A typical concentration might consist of STA 379 and 380 with two additional courses selected from STA 381, 470, 471, 472, 473 and 474.

STATISTICS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

STA 169 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS. [MATH 1342] This is a survey course in elementary statistics designed to acquaint students with the role of statistics in society. Coverage includes graphical descriptive methods, measures of central tendency and variation, the basic concepts of statistical inference, the notion of estimators, confidence intervals, and tests of hypotheses. Also offered as MTH 169. Prerequisite: Two years of high school algebra. Credit 3.

STA 379 STATISTICAL METHODS IN PRACTICE. Topics include organization and presentation of data; measures of central tendency, dispersion, and position; probability distributions for discrete and continuous random variables, sampling techniques, parameter estimation, and hypothesis testing. Emphasis will be given to the use of the MINITAB statistics package. Also offered as MTH 379. Prerequisites: Three semester hours of mathematics and consent of instructor. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer I. Credit 3.

STA 380 STATISTICAL DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTS. Topics include sampling designs and hypothesis testing in analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and regression analysis. Design characteristics, model diagnostics, and hypothesis testing will be emphasized and work will be required on real data. The MINITAB and SAS statistics packages will be applied. Prerequisite: STA 379 or equivalent. Offered Spring semesters. Credit 3.

STA 381 SAMPLE SURVEY METHODS. The course treats principles needed in planning and conducting sample surveys. Topics include random, stratified, systematic, and cluster sampling methods as well as subsampling techniques. Prerequisite: STA 379 or equivalent. Credit 3.

STA 470 SPECIAL TOPICS IN STATISTICS. This course is designed to accommodate independent study and research with content determined by mutual agreement of student and supervisor. However, it may also be taught as a special organized class when there is sufficient student interest in a particular project. Such topics as statistical quality control, modeling and analysis, time series analysis, Monte-Carlo techniques and bootstrapping may be included. This course may be taken for Academic Distinction credit. (See Academic Distinction Program in this catalogue.) May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Six semester hours of advanced statistics and consent of instructor. Credit 3.

STA 471 THEORY AND APPLICATIONS OF PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS I. Topics include basic concepts and properties of probability, random variables, statistical distributions, measures of central tendency, variance, covariance, correlation, functions of random variables, sampling distributions, and the Central Limit Theorem. Also offered as MTH 471. Prerequisite: MTH 143. Offered Fall semesters. Credit 3.

STA 472 THEORY AND APPLICATIONS OF PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS II. Topics include multivariate, conditional and marginal distributions, point and interval estimation, theory of estimation, maximum likelihood estimates, hypothesis testing, likelihood ratio tests, contingency analysis, and nonparametric statistics. Also offered as MTH 472. Prerequisites: MTH 244 and STA 471. Offered Spring semesters. Credit 3.

STA 473 NONPARAMETRIC STATISTICS. Topics include chi-square goodness-of-fit testing and inferences concerning location and scale. Specific tests include the sign test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, tests for randomness and trends, and contingency analyses. Prerequisites: STA 379 and consent of instructor. Credit 3.

STA 474 REGRESSION MODELING AND ANALYSIS. Topics include model estimation and testing, model diagnostics, residual analysis, variables selection, and multicollinearity. Work will be required on real data with the use of the MINITAB and SAS statistics packages. Prerequisites: STA 379 and consent of instructor. Credit 3.