Courses of Study 2011-2012 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Courses of Study 2011-2012 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biometry and Statistics


In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .


Course Offerings 

Quantitative prediction and interpretation are increasingly essential components of biological, physical, and social sciences. Complex patterns, structures, and interactions raise fundamental and fascinating questions that can be addressed only using mathematical, statistical, and computational methods. The wealth of data that can be acquired using modern methodologies to address these questions, in turn, requires substantive quantitative approaches to make possible appropriate analysis and interpretation. Computational power, meanwhile, continues to increase exponentially, providing the means for sophisticated analysis of complex phenomena.

The Biometry and Statistics major, in the Department of Biological Statistics and Computational Biology, focuses on the application of statistical and mathematical techniques to the sciences. Biometry applies statistics and mathematics to problems with a biological component, as seen in agricultural, environmental, biological, and medical science. Statistics is concerned with quantitative aspects of scientific investigation: design, measurement, summarization of data, and reaching conclusions based on probability statements. Students with ability in mathematics and an interest in its applications will find this a rewarding and challenging major.

The work of an applied statistician or computational biologist can encompass research, teaching, consulting, and computing in almost any combination and in a wide variety of fields of application. Opportunities for employment are abundant in academics, government, and businesses ranging from large corporations to small firms; salaries are usually excellent. Experience gained through summer employment, undergraduate research, or work as an undergraduate teaching assistant is highly recommended. For further details on the Biometry and Statistics major/minor, please contact the director of undergraduate studies, Professor James Booth (1178 Comstock Hall), at jb383@cornell.edu or go to bscb.cornell.edu.

Faculty


J. Booth, chair (1178 Comstock Hall, (607) 254-6505, 255-5488); A. Clark, G. Hooker, A. Keinan, J. Mezey, S. J. Schwager, A. C. Siepel, R. Strawderman, M. Wells, H. Yu

Requirements for the Major (beyond the college requirements):


Ten core courses, plus either the Statistics or the Statistical Genomics concentration. Only courses for which the student receives a grade of C- or better will count toward the major in biometry and statistics.

Statistical genomics concentration:


Students must take BIOMG 2800  Lectures in Genetics and Genomics and two courses from BTRY 4820  Statistical Genomics, BTRY 4830  Quantitative Genomics and Genetics, BTRY 4840  Computational Genomics, and BIOMG 4870  Human Genomics.

Supplementary concentration:


Each biometry and statistics major is strongly encouraged to supplement the required courses with a concentration in an area of interest to the student, consisting of a cohesive set of courses chosen by the student. It is the student’s responsibility to develop this concentration, with advice from the faculty, particularly the student’s faculty advisor. It will be helpful to discuss the selection of courses with the director of undergraduate studies or undergraduate advising coordinator of a department closely linked with the chosen concentration.

The Minor:


A minor in biometry and statistics is available to all undergraduate students in CALS. To complete the program, students must submit a minor program of study form, available in 1198 Comstock Hall. Each student will retain a copy of the form and will be responsible for planning the minor program of study in conjunction with the advisor in the student’s major and a BSCB faculty advisor. Students and advisors in other departments should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Biological Statistics and Computational Biology if they have general questions about Biometry and Statistics courses or the minor. A BSCB faculty member will supervise and assist each minor in course selection.

Note:


One additional statistics elective from the advanced statistics course list given above.

A minimum of 31 credits is needed to complete the minor. Only courses for which the student receives a grade of C– or better will count toward the minor in biometry and statistics.