| There are three overlapping aspects to the department's
mission: teaching, research, and service.
The teaching mission of the Department includes
teaching statistics to non-majors; education of
statistics majors to pursue graduate study or
careers in statistics, education of graduate students
in the statistics profession, and training of
working professionals in the D.C. area.
Statistical reasoning plays an increasingly important
role in developing and analyzing programs related
to the health, safety, economic prosperity, social
justice, and general quality of life of modern
societies. Statistical principles are critical
to the collection of valid data and statistical
and statistical analysis is critical to interpretation
of the resulting data. The Department aims to
teach basic statistical principles to GWU students
in order that they may function as informed citizens
and be able to read and understand statistical
arguments in the literature of their own specialty.
For many GWU students, and in particular for our
majors, a deeper understanding of the theoretical
foundation of statistics is essential; the theoretical
training is complemented by the development of
advanced training in modern data-analytic skills
and develops a conceptual understanding of the
foundations and methodology of statistics. The
goals of the graduate program embrace both the
preparation of statisticians to work in industry
or government and the training of researchers
within statistics and from many related fields
in the methodology of statistics.
The research program of the department is dedicated
to the development and application of statistical
methods useful in a variety of areas. We believe
that a healthy research program includes both
problem-driven research and basic research of
general interest. The research program is the
foundation for the training of Ph.D. students
in the Department; the presence of these students
greatly enriches the research enterprise. The
research program also provides many opportunities
for interaction with scientists and policy-makers
in the Washington statistical community. Faculty
and graduate student activities may include collaborative
research, sabbatical or other leaves spent at
a government agency, or participation in local
seminars and conferences.
The service mission of the Department is multifaceted.
In addition to the teaching service already mentioned,
it includes service to the Washington scientific
and administrative agencies and to the profession
as a whole, on the local, national and international
levels. This service takes many forms, including
editorial and administrative service in professional
associations, and providing appropriate advice
and consultation. As a university located in a
geographical area with a very large concentration
of statisticians, we are provided with opportunities
to serve the general public and the profession
in many ways, and we take this responsibility
seriously. |
