Research in statistics can range from mathematical studies of the theoretical underpinnings of a statistical model or method to the development of novel statistical models and methods and a thorough study of their properties. Frequently, statistics research is motivated and informed by collaborations with experts in a particular substantive field. Their scientific studies and data collection efforts may yield complex data that cannot be adequately handled using standard statistical methodology. Statisticians aim to develop methods that address the scientific or policy questions of the researcher. In doing so, statisticians must consider how efficiently and effectively the proposed methodology can be implemented and what guarantees can be provided as to the performance of the proposed methods. Such questions can often be answered using a combination of mathematical, analytical, and computational techniques.
Background: Individuals from a variety of backgrounds can make significant contributions to the field of statistics as long as they have sufficient background in statistics, mathematics, and computing. Undergraduate preparation in statistics, mathematics, and computing should include multivariate calculus (the equivalent of UCI courses MATH 2A-MATH 2B, MATH 2D-MATH 2E), linear algebra (MATH 121A), elementary analysis (MATH 140A-MATH 140B), introductory probability and statistics (STATS 120A-STATS 120B-STATS 120C), and basic computing (I&C SCI 31). For students with undergraduate majors outside of mathematics and statistics, it is possible to make up one or two missing courses during the first year in the program.