STATISTICS AT JMU

Here you will find information on:

Navigate the links to find out more! The main office of the Mathematics and Statistics department is in Room 305 of Roop Hall.

Political Science Professor Dr. Broscheid

"Quantitative data are everywhere in political science. For the last three decades or so, a solid background in statistics has been essential for anybody who wants to understand empirical political science research. Most graduate programs in political science nowadays have their students take several advanced stats courses. Students with solid statistical training can apply their skills in research-based courses such as the senior seminar."

Computer Science Professor Dr. Grove

"It is important for all scientists and engineers to have a practical understanding of mathematics and statistics. Computer scientists and engineers rely upon this understanding, whether their specialty is research, communications, software development, security, or any other part of computing. A good understanding of statistics is essential to dealing with the theories and processes as part of their every day work."

Health Science Professor Dr. Bopp

"I always tell students thinking about public health that a stats minor would be great. Also, there might be some interest to think about an epidemiology major or minor and if so, stats would have to be a big part of it."

The Career Center at the American Statistical Association is a great resource for those wondering about training, careers and the roles that statisticians play in industry, government and education. The ASA produces a great brochure (HTML, PDF) that discusses the fields that employ statisticians, the job characteristics, how to become a statistician and biographies of famous statisticians (such as Florence Nightingale). The important thing to notice is that you enhance your attractiveness to employers in a multitude of disciplines by adding a statistics minor or major!. The US Department of Labor's outlook for statisticians gives general information on the projected job availability and quality of life factors. The job titles given to statisticians vary so check out the related occupations.

What Degree Programs Can Students Do?

Minor in Statistics: The minor in statistics is open to any student not majoring in mathematics or statistics. Each student must obtain prior approval of the courses to be counted in the minor from the statistics minor advisor. A minor in statistics requires a minimum of 18 credit hours. More information on minoring in Statistics can be found in the Program Information link.
Major in Statistics: The major in statistics meets the needs of both the public and the private sectors for graduates with degrees in statistics. The program has two tracks, Applied Statistics and Mathematical Statistics, one of which must be chosen by each student completing the major. More information on the major in Statistics can be found in the Program Information link.

History of the JMU Statistics Program

The first statistics program was a concentration for mathematics majors offered in the 1976-77 academic year. A minor in statistics, open to mathematics and non-mathematics majors, followed a few years later in the 1980-81 year. The Mathematics Department became the Mathematics and Statistics Department in the fall of 2000. The major program was approved by the JMU Board of Visitors in January, 2003, with the major officially being offered in the 2003 - 2004 academic year. The first students with statistics majors graduated in December, 2003.

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