Courses of Study 2023-2024 
    
    Nov 12, 2024  
Courses of Study 2023-2024 [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 Statistics and Data Science, focuses on the application of statistical and mathematical techniques to the sciences. Statistics and Data Science 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 data scientist 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 Dr. Martin Wells (1190 Comstock Hall), at mtw1@cornell.edu or go to stat.cornell.edu.

Faculty


M. T. Wells, chair (1198 Comstock Hall, (607) 255-8801, 255-1646); S. Basu, J. Booth, F. Bunea, S. Das, T. DiCiccio, A. El Alaoui, J. Entner, J. Guinness, G. Hooker, M. E. Karns, K. Kato, N. Kiefer, D. Matteson, F. Molinari, Y. Ning, M. Nussbaum, K. Packard, D. Ruppert, M. Smith, Y. S. Wang, M. Wegkamp, X. D. Yang, X. Yang

Requirements for the Major (beyond the college requirements):


In addition to the major requirements outlined below, all students must meet the college graduation requirements .

Ten core courses, two elective courses in statistical methods, plus an approved sequence of three electives in quantitative reasoning. Only courses for which the student receives a grade of C- or better will count toward the major in biometry and statistics.

External Electives (3 courses):


Three thematically-linked courses covering related topics to statistics. The courses should either have a quantitative component that involves probabilistic reasoning or covers mathematical or computational tools that are used within statistics.

Note:


Courses from the Statistical Methods list may be used to satisfy this requirement, but no course can be used for both requirements. Unless otherwise noted all courses should be taken at the 3000 level or above. Example sequences are provided on the Statistics and Data Sciences website.

The Minor:


A minor in biometry and statistics is available to all undergraduate students. To complete the program, students must submit a minor program of study form. 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 an SDS faculty advisor. Students and advisors in other departments should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Statistics and Data Science if they have general questions about Biometry and Statistics courses or the minor. An SDS faculty member will supervise and assist each minor in course selection.

Note:


Students must take three additional courses from the statistical methods course list given above. (Linear Algebra, BTRY 4030 - Linear Models with Matrices  BTRY 4090 - Theory of Statistics  and BTRY 4520 - Statistical Computing  can also be counted towards this requirement.)

Only courses for which the student receives a grade of C– or better will count toward the minor in biometry and statistics.