Statistics (subject)

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Statistics is a subject that teaches the application and theoretical basics of statistical methods .

It can be studied in Germany at the Technical University of Dortmund and the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich and in Magdeburg (in cooperation with the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg ), in Austria at the University of Vienna and at of the Johannes Kepler University Linz .

Statistics master’s courses are offered at Bielefeld University (subject is called "Statistical Sciences"), Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg , Georg August University Göttingen (Applied Statistics), Technical University Vienna and in Berlin, offered as a cooperation between the Free University , the Humboldt University and the Technical University as well as the Charité and the ETH Zurich .

Trained statisticians plan surveys and experiments, present the collected data, evaluate them and interpret the results. In collaboration with scientists from other disciplines, they describe practical issues using mathematical models. In this way, objective decisions can be made and forecasts made. The statistics course imparts the necessary knowledge.

New enrollments are usually only possible in the bachelor's or master's degree. There are usually no admission restrictions, but admission to advanced courses such as doctoral studies or master’s degrees is often tied to certain criteria.

Bachelor / Master course

The content of the Bachelor's / Master's course differs little from the former Diplom course. It represents an adaptation to the Anglo-Saxon multi-level study model that is also being introduced in Germany as part of the Bologna Process. In addition to the graduation in Bachelor and Master, the course is more modular and more practice-oriented than the diploma course.

Bachelor degree

The bachelor's degree takes six or seven semesters. The content differs from university to university. However, there are some similarities in the events on offer:

  • Descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory
  • Mathematical basics (Analysis I and II)
  • Linear algebra or vector and matrix calculations
  • Basics of statistical software
  • Seminars and other practical events
  • Econometrics or other specialty areas of statistics

Minor subjects

Not all universities have to take a minor in the course of the Bachelor's degree.

bachelor thesis

The completion of the bachelor's degree is a bachelor thesis. This lasts three months.

Master's degree

The master’s degree, which builds on a bachelor’s degree in statistics or a similar degree, lasts four semesters. Here, too, the content varies from university to university. It often includes events on the following topics:

  • Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics
  • Specialized areas of statistics
  • Field of stochastic processes or time series analysis
  • Seminars and other practical events

Which subjects in the area of ​​specialty areas have to be taken or which can be chosen differs from university to university.

Minor subjects

Not all universities have to take a minor in the course of the master’s degree. The catalog can be seen at the top of the diploma course.

master thesis

A master’s thesis concludes a master’s degree . This lasts six months.

Course structure of the diploma course

The classic diploma course is divided into a four-semester basic course and a five-semester main course. However, the actual study times may differ from this standard study time.

Undergraduate studies

The foundation course includes introductory courses in statistics , analysis and linear algebra . In addition, introductory and advanced stochastics events are offered.

The basic course includes the following events:

  • Analysis I and II
  • Vector and matrix calculation, as a special case of linear algebra
  • Descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory, estimating and testing, statistical methods
  • Basics of experimental planning, survey techniques
  • Basics in statistical software

Main course

In the main course, knowledge of statistics is deepened and expanded. In addition, lectures are offered in in-depth areas (biometrics, econometrics, technometrics), which include both special theoretical procedures and applications.

The main course includes events from the following areas:

  • Probability theory, decision theory
  • Specialized areas of statistics
  • Stochastic processes
  • Numerics
  • Practical events

The specialty areas of statistics include a number of lectures, such as econometrics, nonparametric methods, multivariate methods, Bayesian statistics, and official statistics. The students select lectures based on their interests or focus.

Thesis

The diploma course ends with a diploma thesis . This lasts six months.

Minor subjects

In addition to the mathematical-statistical courses, a minor subject must be taken in the diploma statistics course.

The following have prevailed:

  • Economics
  • Theoretical Medicine
  • Engineering
  • Social sciences
  • mathematics
  • Computer science

labour market

The situation for graduates in the field of statistics is good, as the fields of application of statistics are broad. Areas of work include the pharmaceutical industry, banks and insurance companies or in quality assurance or research.

Related fields of study

Data analysis and data management

In this bachelor's degree, which is offered at the Technical University of Dortmund, students acquire basic specialist knowledge in dealing with large amounts of data with the aim of using scientific knowledge to develop methods and to solve problems in relevant fields of application. This course is similar to the statistics course, especially at the beginning. In the first year, the necessary basics in mathematics (analysis, vector and matrix calculation), probability calculation and statistics are taught. In the second and third year there is more collaboration with the IT specialists. This is followed by special lectures on the representation, processing and evaluation of data as well as on data structures and programming. Reference to practical problems is established at an early stage.

Data science

The master's degree in data science is offered at the Technical University of Dortmund and builds on the bachelor's degree in data analysis and data management. Students with a bachelor's degree in statistics, computer science or mathematics can also be admitted subject to conditions. Further exceptions are possible on request. In the master’s program, students are enabled to do scientific work, to critically classify scientific knowledge and to act responsibly. The master’s course is made up of various compulsory and elective modules. The events can be chosen according to your own interests; The following areas are to be covered: multivariate and computer-aided statistics, efficient algorithms and optimization, data security and selected areas of application.

Biostatistics

The master's degree in biostatistics, which is offered at the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, the University of Bremen , the University of Zurich or part-time at the Ruprecht-Karls University in Heidelberg , builds on a degree in statistics. The subject of this master’s course is the in-depth teaching of scientific concepts and methods of statistics for the responsible and adequate analysis of biostatistical data and the interdisciplinary application in biology and medicine, including pioneering areas of post-genomics and systems biology. The completed course enables a deeper understanding and the new and further development of biostatistical methods that arise from the requirements of modern life sciences.

Applied Stochastic

The aim of the applied stochastics master’s course, which is offered by the Munich University of Applied Sciences, is to acquire methodological skills in the stochastic modeling of complex processes in the fields of economics and finance, technology and biology. The theoretical basis for this is provided by a well-founded mathematical education with a focus on the demanding field of stochastic processes. The Master’s degree in Applied Stochastics is designed as a consecutive degree in connection with the Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. However, it is also open to career changers from related fields with an above-average bachelor's or diploma degree.

Statistical Sciences

The master's degree in statistical sciences is offered at Bielefeld University and builds on a bachelor's (or master's) degree in mathematics, business mathematics or a bachelor's degree with a quantitative profile in economics, sociology or psychology. The course offers the opportunity to consolidate and deepen knowledge in the areas of statistics and empirical methods at a demanding level. The course is designed across faculties, so that the students gain in-depth knowledge in a broad spectrum at the various faculties.

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