Should I Take Statistical Methods or Switch Courses?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of whether to take a Statistical Methods course or switch to a different elective. Participants explore the relevance and value of the course in relation to their academic and career goals, particularly for students at the calculus II level. The conversation includes considerations of course content, applicability to future studies, and alternatives available.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses doubt about the value of the Statistics course, noting the presence of non-science majors and questioning its long-term benefits.
  • Another suggests that Statistical Theory or Mathematical Statistics may be more beneficial, especially if they cover advanced concepts like measure theory.
  • Some participants mention the importance of learning statistical packages and practical applications, indicating that if the course includes these, it may be worth staying in.
  • A participant shares their experience with an "Applied Statistical Methods" course that uses calculus, emphasizing its focus on applications rather than theory.
  • Several participants recommend dropping the course in favor of linear algebra or differential equations, citing concerns about the course's relevance and potential impact on the transcript.
  • One participant notes that the course is business-related and questions its value for engineering students, suggesting it may not be worth the time or effort.
  • Another participant reflects on their own experience, stating that early exposure to calculus-based probability was not as beneficial as later courses in Statistical Theory.
  • Some participants highlight the lack of alternative courses available, with one noting that they are limited to humanities or less relevant subjects.
  • There is a suggestion that programming courses could be a valuable alternative, especially for engineering or physics majors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express disagreement regarding the value of the Statistical Methods course, with some advocating for dropping it and others suggesting it could be beneficial depending on its content. No consensus is reached on whether to stay in the course or switch to another elective.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various prerequisites and course structures at their institutions, which may limit options for alternatives. There is also a discussion of the differing focuses of statistics courses, such as applied versus theoretical approaches.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students considering elective courses in statistics, particularly those in engineering or science fields who are evaluating the relevance of statistical methods to their future studies and careers.

QuarkCharmer
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So, I found myself in need of an elective course, and I have taken all of the maths that I can possibly take (except for things further in the sequences). I signed up for a Stats course, and after tonight (the first day of the course) I realize that there is very little I will probably take away from this course, assuming that I will no doubt take a higher-level probability course in the future when I am able. Course is populated with nursing majors and other non-science types, only myself and a mechanical engineer are alone.

Is this worth taking? I was thinking that maybe it would be some good word problem practice at the very least. It's not too late to change the course, what else could someone at the calc II level take that would be worthwhile in the long term, at least look good on a cv?

(I'm fine in the programming department too)

Should I stay in the class or try my hand at something else?
 
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I think Statistical Theory (or Mathematical Statistics) are preferred courses for learning the basics, especially when they also cover measure theory concepts such as Lebesque, and don't let you all confused when your Riemann Integral fails :smile:. However, It is useful to start learning how to use Statistical Packages such as SAS, STATA, R, and others. Therefore, if the course includes some regression methods with a STAT Package stay and learn how to use them. Typically Statistics Departments split their courses for applied and theoretical statistics courses, so you can learn both important skills.

Do Note that Statistical Theory is useful for Statistical Mechanics courses in Physics, Econometrics in Economics, and Stochastic Optimization in Operation Research. Also, other courses that use probability concepts.
 
I'm not sure if you have looked into it, but my school has a statistics course called "Applied Statistical Methods" which is a stats course that uses calculus. I am taking it next year, so I cannot elaborate too much, but calculus IS a prerequisite, and it is required for all engineers here. I do know, however, that it focuses on applications, and less on derivations and theory.

Take it for what it is. Check it out.
 
We have a combo Probability and Statistics course that all Engineers take, but I can't take it yet, we have silly pre-reqs here. That's why I took this one. I guess it will be a refresher with factorials and p hats and all that.
 
I'd drop it, personally. Can you take a linear algebra or differential equations class instead? Anything?
 
My school has four different prob/stat classes. Business, health, and engineering along with a 'pure' Prob/stat course.

The business and health ones are a joke. The engineering one is calculus based but doesn't focus at all on theory. The pure one is obviously for statisticians and the like.

If you are taking a health type course and plan on doing an engineering one then I'd say drop it. It won't hurt to take it but I can't say its worth the time/effort/money.
 
I'd say drop it. Not only is it a waste of time if you will be taking a more advanced course later, but it may look bad on your transcript --- people knowledgeable about the course might think you were trying to take the easiest courses possible.

If there is nothing else you can take in the math dept, is there some kind of mathematical methods class in the physics dept? Or heck, take soccer or swimming while you have the time.
 
If you can take the pure one, and also if you are willing to put the effort for the math. Initially, I learned probability calculus based, and in my opinion it was a waste of time. It was not until Grad School when I took the Statistical Theory sequence that I was able to appreciate what was going on.
 
Pyrrhus said:
If you can take the pure one, and also if you are willing to put the effort for the math. Initially, I learned probability calculus based, and in my opinion it was a waste of time. It was not until Grad School when I took the Statistical Theory sequence that I was able to appreciate what was going on.

Engineers don't usually care what's going on, so long as it works -.-
 
  • #10
There is really nothing I can take, except for something like another humanities or as you mentioned soccor et al. We aren't allowed to take Linear Alg. or DEQ until calc II is finished. At least next semester I should be able to take a bunch of fun courses.

This (stats) course is business related, and we went over some basic set theory today. I also skimmed over all the chapters on the syllabus and it's a fairly interesting book I guess. It's the only semi-relevant (in that it's math) that I can take, and in all honesty, I don't pay for school (VA) so it fills my needed 3 credits this semester. The only other thing I could think of is taking something like O-chem or whatever else comes after General Chemistry II?
 
  • #11
What's your major?

Depending, it may be worth while to take a programming class. I assume you're engineering or physics or math..In any of which cases programming is most definitely a useful skill to have, and at the very least is another line on a resume. I took FORTRAN and Java my first two semesters because I didnt have the needed prerequisites to take anything else. I'm glad I did.

Ive got to agree (again) that it's pretty useless to take this course..
 
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