While you are studying in college, you probably asked the question, why do I have to take statistics?” Your adviser told you: “because it’s required for the degree.” “But why,” you said “why would I ever need to use statistics?

While in college, class grades were averages of scores you received for tests and other efforts. Most of your classes were graded on a curve, requiring the concepts of the Normal distribution, standard deviations, and confidence limits. Your scores on standardized tests or sports were presented in percentiles. You will see pie and bar charts, scatter plots to display data all the time. 

Statistics is an integral part of everyday life in America. Without statistics, there would be no U.S. Census, IRS audits, Nielsen ratings of TV shows, political polls, and consumer preference surveys. Our society couldn’t function without being able to figure out tax brackets, insurance rates, stock prices, and online matchmaking. We couldn’t predict the outcome of elections before the polls close. There would be no standardized tests ( hmm.. maybe this not so much of a pro). Amazon.com couldn’t tell us what we want to buy. Baseball announcers would have nothing to talk about between pitches. It would be anarchy!!

If you’re still not convinced that you need to learn statistics, keep reading.

The use of statistics is common to almost all fields of inquiry—social and natural sciences, sports, business, education, library and information science, and even music and art. Its popularity is attributable at least in part to its applicability to any type of data. Statistical methods can be used for analyzing data based on natural laws, theories, or nothing in particular. If you can measure it, you can analyze it with statistics. If you’re creative enough, you can even analyze things you can’t measure very well.

And finally, coming to this course you will learn many systematic methods for understanding data collected in a wide variety of contexts. You will also apply statistical ideas to the real world through labs and projects. It’s fascinating and a great deal of fun.

Even if you are majoring in something else, taking a stat class may be worthwhile. Statistics tend to open doors which if left closed can be avoided, but when opened offer opportunities that are worth having. In almost any field, (and particularly in medicine, the sciences, and economics) knowing statistics always gives one an edge over those who don’t. 

Online classes are the best thing ever.

This is why summer classes may be the best thing ever:

•  Fewer distractions, convenience, and flexibility.

•  Graduate in less time and save money.

•  Catch up on credits, if you’re behind on credits or need to re-take a class, winter , summer or Fall/Spring is the perfect time to do it. 

•  Get ahead and get your General Education requirements out of the way, so you have more time to focus on your major or minor during the regular school year. It is much easier to get into popular classes.

• The online courses are often small, so you can get more personal attention, which can help you do better in class.

There are advantages to take online classes. I am more available for one-on-one personal attention via email and Zoom, and recorded lectures can be watched repeatedly for deeper focus. We all collaborate, work together, and help each other. You will not feel alone.

We use Zoom, we are always to help you. Your success is our success!