Advising Information for BS Statistics

Academic Advising

Subsequent to the declaration of a major in statistics, each student will be assigned an advisor from the statistics faculty of the department. Students must consult with their advisor prior to course registration. In addition to keeping track of each student's academic progress through the academic program, the faculty advisor is available to discuss related issues such as career goals, internship opportunities, opportunities for graduate study, etc. The departmental advising process is designed to give each student individual attention and guidance.

Career and Academic Paths

The use of statistical methods to address complex problems is pervasive in almost all areas of business, government and science, and this has created a growing demand for statisticians. UMBC's location puts it at the heart of some of the most exciting statistical work in the nation, carried out at the Census Bureau (Suitland, MD), Bureau of Labor Statistics (Washington, D.C.), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Washington, D.C.), National Center for Health Statistics (Hyattsville, MD), the Army Research Laboratory (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD), National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD), and the Food and Drug Administration (Rockville, MD), along with several other federal agencies, pharmaceutical companies and other industries. The ever-growing demand for statisticians at these places makes our B.S. in Statistics very attractive.

Statisticians working at the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, etc., are required to work on various applications, including design and analysis of surveys, evaluation of nonsampling errors resulting from non-response and research to reduce these errors.

Statisticians working at pharmaceutical companies are required to be knowledgeable in biostatistics. Our B.S. program (applied statistics track) is tailored toward the needs of federal agencies, pharmaceutical companies and industries in general.

In addition, there is a heavy demand for statisticians who have completed graduate degrees (M.S. or Ph.D.). The mathematical statistics track in the B.S. program prepares students to pursue graduate study in statistics.

Special Opportunities

UMBC's proximity to federal agencies, pharmaceutical companies and other industries in the Baltimore-Washington area provides students ample opportunities to gain hands-on experience in applied statistical work through cooperative educational experiences and internships during the academic year and during summer. The department is very proactive in finding internship opportunities for students.

Student Organizations

Mu Sigma Rho, National Honorary Society for Statistics

Mu Sigma Rho is the national honorary society for statistics. Its purpose is the promotion and encouragement of scholarly activity in statistics, and the recognition of outstanding achievement among the students and instructional staff in eligible academic institutions. The alpha chapter of Maryland at UMBC, initiated in 2007, organizes joint activities with the Mathematics and Statistics Council of Majors.