Course details

Summary

We are increasingly becoming a data-driven society with advances in technology and the accumulation of massive data in many fields. Statistics is the profession associated with making meaningful sense of data. Statistics is a rapidly advancing science with many avenues open for study and work. These range from statistical theory to its application in biology, medicine, the social sciences, engineering, physics and economics. In fact, there are few disciplines that do not use statistics in some form.

Modern mathematicians and statisticians are being asked to develop new tools and techniques to deal with problems in areas from business management to biology. New insights are also being developed in the more traditional areas of physical science and engineering. All this activity leads to new applications of mathematics and statistics, as well as new theoretical work on the structure of the mathematics and statistics involved.

Statistics can be used to answer some very important scientific, social and commercial questions. The challenge in statistics is to use appropriate logic, apply the correct methodology and interpret the results accurately.

Some projects involving statisticians include:

• measuring the rate that cystic fibrosis develops in lung tissue
• describing the spatial distribution of wood fibre lengths in trees
• monitoring endangered animals to detect critical rates of decline
• measuring the impact of government policy on education
• estimating the working life of mechanical equipment before it requires repair
• measuring the extent to which participation in group-therapy anger-management sessions reduces the chance of re-offending.

A large number of students benefit from taking an introductory course in Statistics because it is used in so many subjects, including Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Biological Sciences, Psychology, Forestry, Geography, Communication Disorders and Management.

Recommended preparation

Entry into the 100-level Statistics course is open to all students with entry to the University. Logical thinking, a flair for numbers, curiosity and the ability to live with uncertainty are the qualities that combine to make a good statistician. In school, it is important to do as well as possible in Year 13, particularly in statistics and/or calculus.

Students who have performed very well in Year 13 statistics and/or calculus may be eligible for direct entry into a 200-level Statistics course.

The Bachelor of Arts requires a minimum total of 360 points:

• at least 255 points from Arts courses
• the remaining 105 points can be from either Arts courses or courses from other degrees.
• A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.

Career opportunities

Statistics is an integral part of many industries, management and scientific research programmes. Statistics demands the ability to use analytical techniques, statistical methods and information technology for the manipulation and interpretation of information. There is a growing demand for statisticians and biometricians (people who conduct research and advise on experimental design, data collection and data analysis in biology).

Many of our graduates are employed by Statistics New Zealand as statisticians and in other organisations as research officers, analysts and statistical programmers. The Crown Research Institutes also employ a large number of statisticians, particularly biometricians. Other graduates are employed in the financial sector and by insurance companies, and industrial and commercial companies. Many large companies employ statisticians to deal with the increasing demand for the collection and interpretation of data.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.