Statistics has a theoretical core surrounded by a large number of domains of application in diverse fields, including economics, psychology, biology and medicine, sociology, population sciences, government, anthropology, astronomy, physics, chemistry, geology, engineering, and computer science. At Brown, graduate training in Biostatistics is available in the Department of Community Health and in Mathematical Statistics in the Division of Applied Mathematics. In addition, several other departments are offering introductory and even advanced courses in statistical methodology, including the Departments of Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science and Computer Science.
The undergraduate concentration in statistics, established in 1997, is an interdepartmental program, administered by the Center for Statistical Sciences and leading to the Sc.B. degree. It is supervised by a faculty program committee, representing all interested departments. The program is constructed on several premises: that statistics is a scientific discipline in its own right, with its characteristic methodology and body of knowledge; that it is essentially concerned with the art and science of the analysis of data; and that it is best taught in conjunction with specific, substantive applications. To this end, the concentration is designed to provide a foundation of basic concepts and methodology, requiring students to take core courses in the discipline itself, and to expose students to a cross-section of statistical applications, through courses (of their own selection and subject to approval) in the social, biological, and natural sciences. In a senior honors thesis, each student will be required to carry out a major project of statistical data analysis in one of these disciplines. The concentration prepares students for careers in industry and government, for graduate study in statistics or biostatistics and other sciences, as well as for professional study in law, medicine, business, or public administration.
The program begins with a foundation in mathematics and computing, combined with an elementary introduction to statistical thinking and practice. A set of three core courses builds on this foundation by providing a comprehensive account of the fundamentals of statistical theory and data analysis. At this point, the students in the concentration are ready to delve into more advanced material covering important areas of statistical methodology. In addition to formal coursework, students will have opportunities to acquire practical experience in study design, data management, and statistical analysis by working as undergraduate research assistants in projects in one of the participating academic departments or research centers at Brown.
The concentration requires twelve one-semester courses and participation in the senior seminar. The required courses are as follows:
Level II: Core courses in theory and data analysis
Level III: Advanced courses in statistical methods
EC 203 (Introduction to Econometrics I)
SO 222 (Advanced Quantitative Methods of Sociology Analysis)
SO 223 (Techniques of Demographic Analysis)
AM 282 (Statistical Inference in Molecular Biology)
BI 142 (Experimental Design in Ecology)
BC 261 (Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics)
BC 250 (Modern Methods for Categorical Data Analysis)
BC 251 (Generalized Linear Model)
BC 212 (Methods in Epidemiologic Research)
BC 252 (Analysis of Lifetime Data)
BC 234 (Clinical Trials of Methodology)
BC 253 (Analysis of Longitudinal Data)
BC 260 (Bayesian Statistical Methods)
Prospective students will be able to obtain Advanced Placement credit for the requirements in mathematics, computing, and introductory statistics. Students who have already completed an introductory course in statistics will be granted permission to proceed to Level II core courses if they meet the prerequisites in mathematics and computing.
Honors work in statistics requires the completion of a senior thesis and a superior record in the concentration.
The concentration is administered by the Center for Statistical Sciences (stat.brown.edu), located on the second floor of the Hemisphere Building, 167 Angell Street.
For inquiries/administrative matters please contact: Susan Ciriello, Box G-H1; Telephone: 401-863-3681; Fax: 401-863-3713; e-mail: Community_Health_Concentration@brown.edu
For further information on the program please contact: Professor Jean Wu, Center for Statistical Sciences, Box G-H2; Telephone: 401-863-1230; Fax: 401-863-9182; e-mail: zwu@stat.brown.edu
Page last updated in April, 2006.