Initiatives in Applied Statistics Graduate Programs at Penn State

• Activity Number: 518
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Mosuk Chow*+ and Linda Clark and James Rosenberger and Glenn Johnson
• Companies: Penn State and Penn State and Penn State and Penn State
• Keywords: Applied Statistics ; Graduate Program ; Curriculum review ; initiatives ; Statistical Education

Abstract

For a premium graduate Applied Statistics program, systematic improvement of the quality of the educational experience is essential. Asking fundamental questions concerning the integrity of courses and curricular consistency across course sections, both in residence and online is important. Furthermore, implementing changes must be strategic. This poster illustrates a number of related initiatives in these directions. First, formal course review that involves faculty currently teaching both resident and online courses as well as faculty as outside readers with experience teaching prerequisite or courses that follow. Second, the development of a concept map of applied statistics provides a broad view of the field and leads to a mapping of the program curriculum. Third, the harvesting of Statistical Consulting Center case-based projects so that they can be presented to MAS students as applied examples. Finally, the enhancement of the capstone practicum using project management software and video analysis of client meeting performance.