Statistics – B.Sc. (General) Degree Program
Duration: 3 Years
For whom?
Students from physical science stream who are interested in pursuing careers in Statistics or related disciplines. The intake at present is limited to a maximum of 120 students in an academic year.
Career opportunities
General Degree graduates who follow Statistics as a subject are employed as statisticians, teachers, business analysts, data analysts, quality assurance managers, banking officers and planning executives etc.
Course overview
Statistics plays a vital role in all aspects of a data based investigations using well designed experiments and surveys to discover the patterns in data, and to determine the principal causes of important effects. It is the science of drawing reliable conclusions from data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation. The theory and methods of statistics are critical in a wide variety of fields such as biology, economics, engineering, medicine, public health, psychology, marketing, educations, and insurance. Our degree program provides a solid training in the theory, methods, and applications of statistics which are necessary in areas such as academia or industry where advanced knowledge is required. It is developed with a strong emphasis on industry-bared skills, underpinned by sound scientific knowledge and understanding.
Course structure
A three year program is offered to students who select the above subject combinations. All first and second year courses are core units. These Courses provide a solid foundation in statistics and computational skills with an introduction to different fields of applications. Minimum of 80% attendance for lectures and practicals will be an essential requirement to sit for the examinations.
General degree students to choose from in their third year have a range of optional courses which deal with more applied areas. In addition to the essential theoretical knowledge, statistics undergraduates are given ample opportunist to collect and analyze data and prepare statistical reports related to real world problems. They also gain a vital experience in solving real world problems through the Statistical Consultancy Unit of the DS which offers its services to both on campus and off campus researchers. Further, students are given plenty of opportunities for practical work using industry-standard computer packages such as MlNITAB, SPSS, R, Eviews, etc.
Statistics – B.Sc. (Special) Degree Program
Duration: 4 Years
For whom?
The special degree program is designed for students who aspire to be leaders in various functional areas in statistics, such as academia, research, government and industry.
Career opportunities
Statisticians are consistently rated among the top jobs when factors such as salary, working conditions, and interest are combined. In general, statisticians can easily fit into careers in any field. The public and private sector rely on statistical information for purposes such as decision making, regulation, control, and planning. Some major application areas of Statistics are the production of government statistics, pharmaceutical research, industrial quality management, risk assessment in insurance (actuarial statistics), environmental monitoring and assessment, and medical research.
Our past graduates holding a special degree in Statistics are now working as lecturers at various levels in state universities and private educational institutes affiliated to foreign universities, Directors, Managers, Executive Officers of state and private banks, Group Compliance and Systems Managers, Project Officers, Logistic Analysts, Management Trainees, Research Assistants, Financial Analysts, Program Assistants, etc. Some are perusing higher studies aboard.
Course overview
The B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Statistics is aimed at preparing experts in the field of Statistics. Our degree provides a firm foundation in Statistics, together with relevant mathematical and computing knowledge required to pursue higher studies in Statistics related disciplines as our degree is recognized by many universities in Canada, Europe, USA, and Australia. Doctoral degree with postgraduate qualifications from a recognized university would lead the career path in academia in the widely expanding university system in Sri Lanka.
Course structure
The core curriculum for the Special Degree is an excellent preparation for careers where statistical, mathematical and computing skills are highly valued. The courses in the third year of the Statistics special degree are all core units while in the fourth year a wider choice of specialized optional courses are offered. Throughout the curriculum, special emphasis is placed on the up-to-date applications of statistics in industry.
Statistics Special Degree students are required to undertake a comprehensive guided project evaluated after an oral presentation followed by a viva voice examination. In addition, students undergo a three-month, full-time, industrial training. Further, they are provided with the opportunity to solve real world problems through the Statistical Consultancy Unit enabling them to gain experiences as a statistical consultant
Selection Policy
Selection of students for the B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Statistics is based on student performance in the first two academic years. The number of students typically depends on availability of human resources in the department.
Mode of instruction and assessment
Students enrolled in both General and Special Degree programs will be taught by highly skilled, knowledgeable academic staff who are up to date with current applications of statistical methods. We provide most of our basic core teaching for modules through lectures while seminars and group tutorials offer the opportunity to discuss subject matter in greater detail and raise questions in a more informal setting. Course units are assessed through mid and end of-semester written examinations, practical tests, presentations, viva voice examinations, and reports. Diversified learning activities and assessment methods such as seminar presentations, individual and group assignments, case studies, individual and group projects are used to encourage active learning. This diversification helps to improve soft skills such as oral and written, communication, team work, time management skills demanded by employers.