Study Statistics at Otago
Overview
Statistics as a field of study is concerned with the collection, analysis and interpretation of numerical data. The main emphasis is on the role of random variation in observations that are made, which is why statistical theory is built on the concepts of probability.
Although the study of statistics in any depth requires some proficiency in algebra and calculus, it is a mistake to think that statistics is just another branch of mathematics. It is quite different. The use of statistical methods requires skills in problem formulation, computing and the assessment of evidence that are not always closely related to mathematical ability. Furthermore, a key ingredient for being a successful statistician is the ability to communicate complex ideas to other people in written and verbal reports.
Statistics can be studied at all undergraduate levels at the University of Otago. Many students take a first year Statistics paper as a prerequisite for their main subject of interest, or just because it is generally useful to have some knowledge of basic quantitative methods. Often these students then continue the subject with papers at 200-level and 300-level while majoring in disciplines like Botany, Ecology, Economics, Finance, Geography, Marketing Management, Psychology or Zoology.
Other students study Statistics as their major subject because:
- They are looking for a practical and useful application of their mathematical abilities, with good employment prospects
- They would like to work with researchers, in a wide range or disciplines, in solving important problems
- They want a job which involves them in contributing to policy or management decisions for government or private industry
- They have a concern for social or environmental issues and want to use their skills in biological, environmental or medical research.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics (PGDipApStat)
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Papers
See the full list of Statistics (STAT) papers.
Programme Requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Statistics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Statisticsor Applied Statistics |
18 18 18
18 18 18 |
| 200-level | StatisticsTwo further STAT papers at 200-level or above or Applied Statistics |
18 36 18
18 36 |
| 300-level | StatisticsThree further STAT papers at 300-level or above or Applied Statistics |
18 54
18 54 |
| Plus | Either 162 (Statistics) or 180 (Applied Statistics) further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts Other approved paper(s) may be substituted for up to two 200- or 300-level STAT papers Applied Statistics students who are not also enrolled for another degree programme must fulfil the requirements for an approved minor subject | 162 or 180 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Statistics
| Stage | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st stage | 90 further points | 18 18 90 |
| 2nd stage | One further 200-level STAT paper * Two of MATH 201, MATH 202, MATH 203, MATH 262 36 further points | 18 18 18 36 36 |
| 3rd stage | Three further 300-level STAT papers * One approved 300-level MATH paper 36 further points | 18 54 18 36 |
| 4th stage | Three further 400-level STAT papers 36 further 400-level STAT or MATH points 18 further 400-level points | 36 54 36 18 |
| * STAT papers and other approved papers to the value of at least 252 points must be taken over the second and third stages |
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Statistics
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Statistics is the same as the fourth stage course for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Statistics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Statisticsor Applied Statistics |
18 18 18
18 18 18 |
| 200-level | StatisticsTwo further STAT papers at 200-level or above or Applied Statistics |
18 36 18
18 36 |
| 300-level | StatisticsThree further STAT papers at 300-level or above or Applied Statistics |
18 54
18 54 |
| Plus | Either 162 (Statistics) or 180 (Applied Statistics) further points; must include 36 (Statistics) or 54 (Applied Statistics) points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Other approved paper(s) may be substituted for up to two 200- or 300-level STAT papers Applied Statistics students who are not also enrolled for another degree programme must fulfil the requirements for an approved minor subject. | 162 or 180 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Statistics
| Stage | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st stage | 90 further points | 18 18 90 |
| 2nd stage | One further 200-level STAT paper * Two of MATH 201, MATH 202, MATH 203, MATH 262 36 further points | 18 18 18 36 36 |
| 3rd stage | Three further 300-level STAT papers * One approved 300-level MATH paper 36 further points | 18 54 18 36 |
| 4th stage | Three further 400-level STAT papers 36 further 400-level STAT or MATH points 18 further 400-level points | 36 54 36 18 |
| * STAT papers and other approved papers to the value of a least 252 points must be taken over the second and third stages |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Statistics
| Papers |
|---|
Three further 400-level STAT papers and 36 further 400-level STAT or MATH points |
Note: With the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Director concerned, a 48 point dissertation or project may be substituted for any project of fewer points prescribed in the table above. |
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics (PGDipApStat)
The programme requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics (PGDipApStat) are available elsewhere in this website.
Master of Science (MSc) in Statistics
| Papers |
|---|
|
STAT 495 and 108 approved 400-level points, including at least 90 points from MATH or STAT of which at least 54 points are from STAT. STAT 5 (thesis) |
Minor Subject Requirements
Statistics as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) or Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | STAT 110 or STAT 115 | 18 |
| 200-level | See below | |
| 300-level | Four STAT papers above 100-level, including at least one at 300-level or above | 72 |
| Total | 90 |
Further Information
Email us at maths@otago.ac.nz or visit our home page http://www.otago.ac.nz/maths
