Biostatistics (click for important information)

STAT 250* is an introduction to statistics course, with an emphasis on applications relevant to the biological sciences. After successfully completing this course you will understand basic concepts of probability and statistical inference, including common graphical and numerical summaries; notions of sampling from a population of interest, including the sampling distribution of a statistic; construction and interpretation of confidence intervals, test statistics, and p-values; and connections between probabilistic concepts such as normal distributions and statistical inference. Students will recognize various types of data, appropriate statistical methods to analyze them. They will use statistical software to analyze data.

CAS 100B introduces students to principles of effective communication with a specific focus on collaborative communication and group problem solving. The goal of CAS 100B is skill development in effective group communication, with less emphasis on formal public speaking and message evaluation compared to other versions of CAS 100. in group settings.

*STAT 250 will count toward student degree progress for two groups of students (1) as a general education quantification course for students who do not have specific math courses that are required as part of their degree requirements and (2) as a major requirement for some majors. Students with intended majors in business, engineering, or science fields that do not see their intended major listed below and students in the Division of Undergraduate Studies who are still exploring major choices should not register for this pride. The majors listed below have STAT 250 as either an optional or required course in their degree requirements. If you have questions about selecting this pride, email leap@psu.edu and we will ensure it is an appropriate choice for you.

Majors that have STAT 250 as an optional or required course are:

College of Agricultural Sciences

  • Food Science
  • Forest Ecosystem Management
  • Immunology and Infectious Disease
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Plant Sciences
  • Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

College of Engineering

  • Biological Engineering

College of Health and Human Development

  • Biobehavioral Health
  • Health Policy and Administration
  • Kinesiology
  • Nutritional Sciences

College of Nursing

  • Nursing

College of Science

  • Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Forensic Science
  • Integrative Science
  • Microbiology
  • Premedical-Medical
  • Premedicine

Introduction to Biostatistics

STAT 250
GenEd Domain: 
Quantification (GQ)
Class Days: 
MTWThF
Class Times: 
11:10 - 12:25

Effective Speech

CAS 100B
GenEd Domain: 
Writing and Speaking (GWS)
Class Days: 
MTWThF
Class Times: 
9:35 - 10:50