"What would you prefer: taking a statistics course, or a root canal?"

April 3rd 
Brian Dennis
Fish and Wildlife Resources and Statistics

Abstract: What course is more reviled by college students than the introductory statistics course? Why are departments of statistics less common than other science departments at research universities? Why do graduate students (not to mention, professors!) in many disciplines confess insecurity, apprehension, and confusion about the statistical analyses in their research? Why do so many university departments try to teach their own statistics courses? This presentation will explore these questions in relation to the unique interdisciplinary role of statistics in modern life. The presentation will offer an opportunity for the university community to discuss the future of statistics at UI.