Developing statistical and data science skills in interdisciplinary scientists

Abstract

The University of Nottingham’s Natural Sciences course is an interdisciplinary science undergraduate degree. A new module was developed to teach introductory statistics based on the recommendations and goals of the GAISE report (ASA Revision Committee, 2016) with a focus on statistical thinking, conceptual understanding, real contexts, active learning, use of technology, and assessment which drives learning. In the pilot, second year undergraduate Natural Sciences students participated, with qualitative feedback on module design and delivery collected through survey instruments. Student feedback was positive, with them acknowledging that interactive classes and computer classes were engaging ways to learn using real-world contexts and that continuous assessment added depth to their learning. This case study demonstrates the potential to teach statistics to scientists through context- relevant scenarios, ultimately enabling students to apply their knowledge to projects involving their own scientific data.