The Major
A statistics major becomes an expert in organizing, evaluating and ultimately understanding data. These skills will empower you to solve problems across a vast range of intellectual and societal challenges.
Why Study Statistics?
Statistics can enrich nearly every aspect of your college studies. With a Williams statistics degree, you can:
- Translate highly complex challenges and problems into statistically answerable questions.
- Critically evaluate evidence for data-based claims.
- Effectively communicate your statistical findings.
No wonder our majors go on to a wide variety of careers in science, social science, consulting, finance, education, and graduate study. And they draw upon the critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance honed in our department throughout their lives.
Featured Courses
Data come from a variety of sources: sometimes from planned experiments or designed surveys, sometimes by less organized means. We’ll focus on model building, especially multiple regression, and talk about its potential to answer questions about the world.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to regression theory, emphasizing both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of simple and multiple linear regression.
In both science and industry today, the ability to collect and store data can outpace our ability to analyze it. Traditional techniques in statistics are often unable to cope with the size and complexity of today’s data bases and data warehouses.
Major Requirements
Ten courses constitute the statistics major. Core courses include statistics and data science, probability, regression and forecasting, and inferential statistics. You will also take at least two courses in mathematics and at least one in computer science. As you progress in the major, you’ll get to choose from a vast menu of electives compared with similar institutions. We’ll help you plan a pathway that will work well with the rest of your college studies.
As a senior, you will take a capstone course to apply your statistical skills to your particular interest. This capstone course usually includes a written report and an oral presentation. You will also join our Statistics Colloquium, where you’ll present a talk on a statistical topic of your choice.
Required Courses
Mathematics (2 courses)
- MATH 150 or 151: Multivariable Calculus
- MATH 250: Linear Algebra
Computing (1 course)
- STAT 250 Statistical Computation and Communication, CSCI 134 Intro to Computer Science, CSCI 135 Diving into the Deluge of Data, CSCI 136 Data Structures and Advanced Programming, or some other course in the Computer Science Department with prior approval of the Statistics Department.
Core Courses (4 Courses)
- STAT 201: Statistics and Data Analysis, STAT 202: Introduction to Statistical Modeling, or STAT 161: Introductory Statistics for Social Science (see Choosing Your First Statistics Class for placement information)
- MATH/STAT 341: Probability
- STAT 346: Regression and Forecasting
- STAT 360: Inferential Statistics
Continuation (2 Courses)
- Students may take any two courses among the 300- or 400- level courses in Statistics or other applied courses in the department with prior approval.
Capstone Course
You’ll take this 400-level course in your senior year. Although the specific methodological emphasis of the course may vary from year to year, it is designed to provide an opportunity to apply statistical knowledge to your own area of interest. An in-depth project, a written report and an oral presentation are typically part of this capstone course.
Colloquium Requirement
Every senior statistics major prepares and delivers a professional-level talk to fellow students and professors—a great opportunity to refine presentation skills for careers and graduate school. Recent topics have ranged from social media text mining to prescription drug development.