Numbers count.
Statisticians can be thought of as explorers finding information in data. They collect, analyse and interpret data to help researchers and decision-makers. The collaborative nature of statistics is one of its most rewarding features.
Statisticians also design and carry out research. They rely on computational skills, quantitative abilities, analytical reasoning and communications skills.
At Otago, the Statistics Group is working in ecology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, quantitative genetics and on problems such as disease spread and seismic and volcanic hazards.
Why study Statistics?
Statistics is a discipline concerned with understanding patterns and relationships in data in the presence of variation and uncertainty.
How do we discover the “truth” or signal hidden in the noise?
- You can use statistics to solve real-world problems.
- You work with researchers from many disciplines.
- Statisticians are key contributors to decision-making in business and government.
- Statistics will help you understand your chosen area of study. If you specialise in chemistry, psychology, health sciences, or economics and finance you will need to collect and interpret data.
- Statisticians are in short supply. You will improve your employment opportunities.
Background required
Almost any school background will allow entry to a statistics programme. Because you will need to study at least one first-year mathematics paper, senior high school NCEA Mathematics to Level 3 standard is highly recommended.
Career opportunities
Anywhere data are collected, analysed or interpreted, you find people with statistical training. Because the world is becoming more and more data-focused, the demand for graduates has outstripped supply.
Statisticians use computational skills, statistical knowledge, quantitative abilities and communications skills to help make decisions in the face of uncertainty.
Examples include evaluating the environmental effects of air, water, and soil pollutants, and designing and analysing studies to determine whether new drugs and medical procedures are safe and effective.
By working in statistics, you can combine your interest with almost any other field in science, technology, or business.
In New Zealand, statisticians are employed in Crown Research Institutes, Government Departments such as Inland Revenue, ACC, and DOC, and companies such as Fonterra, Meridian Energy, and Spark.
What will I study for a Statistics major?
In order to complete a Statistics major within three years of University study, you need to complete a Statistics paper (for example, STAT 110 Statistical Methods) in your first year. We encourage all students majoring
in Statistics to also take papers in another field of interest to them, be it Arts, Science or Commerce. Having knowledge of an area of application is extremely useful, and data are virtually everywhere!
In the statistics programme you learn:
- How to design research studies and collect reliable data.
- How to build thoughtful statistical models which allow us to understand the key features in a complex system.
- How to use the statistical models to answer research questions.
- How to produce informative and engaging graphical representations of data.
- The mathematical underpinnings of statistics.
- The computation skills necessary to do all these things.
- Skills in communicating statistical concepts and analyses to a range of audiences.
Honours degree
A student with a BSc or BA in Statistics can extend their knowledge by studying for this extra one-year degree consisting mostly of 400-level papers and a research project. An honours degree is the standard qualification for entrance to a PhD programme, both in New Zealand and overseas.
Combined degrees
Combined degrees are a popular choice at undergraduate level. Statistics is a natural major to go with a BAppSc in Data Science. Statistics can also be combined as a double degree with Commerce subjects such as Finance or Marketing Management.
Another option is to take Statistics as a double major within either the Arts or Sciences programmes – you could usefully combine Statistics with social sciences such as Sociology or Politics (this would be a BA double major or a major/minor) or you could combine it with life sciences such as Genetics, Zoology or Plant Biotechnology (as a BSc double major or major/minor).
The breadth of possibilities gives you an indication of just how flexible and versatile Statistics really is.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
- 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 (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Statistics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 1 MATH 140 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 2 | 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | STAT 210 Applied Statistics STAT 260 Visualisation and Modelling in R (not required if STAT 380 passed previously) STAT 270 Probability and Inference MATH 202 Linear Algebra or MATH 203 Calculus of Several Variables | 18 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | STAT 310 Statistical Modelling Three further 300-level STAT papers, including at least one of STAT 370, STAT 371, STAT 372 | 18 54 |
| Plus | 162 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Other papers approved by the Head of Department may be substituted for up to two papers at either 200- or 300-level | 162 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Statistics
| Papers |
|---|
Prerequisites: |
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Statistics
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Statistics is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Statistics
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Statistics or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Statistics must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Statistics prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Statistics
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics MATH 130 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 1 MATH 140 Fundamentals of Modern Mathematics 2 | 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | STAT 210 Applied Statistics STAT 260 Visualisation and Modelling in R (not required if STAT 380 passed previously) STAT 270 Probability and Inference MATH 202 Linear Algebra or MATH 203 Calculus of Several Variables | 18 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | STAT 310 Statistical Modelling Three further 300-level STAT papers, including at least one of STAT 370, STAT 371, STAT 372 | 18 54 |
| Plus | 162 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science Other papers approved by the Head of Department may be substituted for up to two papers at either 200- or 300-level | 162 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Statistics
| Papers |
|---|
Prerequisites: |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Statistics
| Papers |
|---|
|
Master of Applied Science (MAppSc) in Statistics
| Papers |
|---|
Optional papers will be approved by the Director of 400-level Studies. STAT 401 may be replaced by STAT 404 Advanced Statistical Inference with approval. |
Master of Science (MSc) in Statistics
| Papers and Thesis |
|---|
|
Minor subject requirements
Mathematical Statistics as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics Note: If BSNS 112 is required for a student’s major they may substitute BSNS 112 for (STAT110 or STAT115). Students who have taken BSNS 102 or 112 prior to declaring Mathematical Statistics as a minor may substitute BSNS 102 or 112 for STAT 110 or 115. | 18 |
| Above 100-level | STAT 270 Probability and Inference Three of:
Note: MATH 130 is required as a pre-requisite for STAT 270, and MATH 140 is required as a prerequisite for STAT 370. | 18 54 |
| Total | 90 |
Note: Students taking a Statistics major will not be permitted to take a Mathematical Statistics minor.
Statistics as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics Students who have passed BSNS 112 before enrolling for Statistics as a minor subject may substitute BSNS 112 for STAT 110 or 115 | 18 |
| 200-level | STAT 210 Applied Statistics STAT 260 Visualisation and Modelling in R | 18 18 |
| 300-level | Two of: | 36 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STAT110 | 2023 | Statistical Methods | 18 points | Semester 1, Summer School |
| STAT115 | 2023 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| STAT210 | 2023 | Applied Statistics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| STAT260 | 2023 | Visualisation and Modelling in R | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| STAT270 | 2023 | Probability and Inference | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| STAT310 | 2023 | Statistical Modelling | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| STAT311 | 2023 | Design of Research Studies | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| STAT312 | 2023 | Modelling High Dimensional Data | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| STAT370 | 2023 | Statistical Inference | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| STAT371 | 2023 | Bayesian Data Analysis | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| STAT372 | 2023 | Stochastic Modelling | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| STAT399 | 2023 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| STAT401 | 2023 | Applied Statistical Methods and Models | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| STAT402 | 2023 | Regression Models for Complex Data | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| STAT403 | 2023 | Case Studies in Statistics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| STAT404 | 2023 | Advanced Statistical Inference | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| STAT405 | 2023 | Probability and Random Processes | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| STAT423 | 2023 | Bayesian Modelling | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| STAT435 | 2023 | Data Analysis for Bioinformatics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| STAT441 | 2023 | Topic in Advanced Statistics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| STAT442 | 2023 | Topic in Advanced Statistics | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| STAT490 | 2023 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
| STAT498 | 2023 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| STAT499 | 2023 | Special Topic: Clinical Trials | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
Key information for students
Contact us
Email maths@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/maths
