Why is the Department of Statistics in the School of Information and Computer Sciences?The field of statistics is at its heart very much a field concerned with information. Statisticians use mathematical and computational tools to draw information out of data collected by researchers.
After WWII there were extensive developments in the mathematical theory that underlies statistical methods. As a consequence departments formed in that era grew out of Mathematics Departments and tended to remain in Schools of Arts and Science and Schools of Physical (or Natural) Sciences.
These days the flow of data is overwhelming and there is an increased emphasis on computationally intensive methods in statistics. Given these developments and the interdisciplinary focus of the Bren School it seemed quite natural to take UCI's new Department of Statistics and place it in the Bren School.
When will the Department begin offering graduate degrees?
The Department of Statistics will offer a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Statistics beginning fall quarter 2006.
The Department's proposal for a graduate degree program in Statistics was recently (June 2006) approved by the Office of the President of the University of California.
Where can I get statistical consulting help?
Fortunately there are several places where you can get help. Statistics faculty are delighted to talk with researchers on campus and off who have interesting problems. It is hoped that such conversations may lead to collaborations that advance both the field of statistics and the field of our collaborators.
For questions related to the application of more standard statistical methods, people are encouraged to contact the Center for Statistical Consulting at stats.uci.edu.
