CMU Changes Department of Statistics’ Name

The Addition Reflects Its Eminent Position in Data Science Research, Education. Carnegie Mellon University has changed the name of its Department of Statistics to the Department of Statistics & Data Science. The new name reflects the broad reach of statistics at Carnegie Mellon, which encompasses the many facets of modern data science. The department has a 50-year history of making a tremendous impact advancing the frontiers of statistical theory and methodology, and applying statistics to help solve meaningful, complex problems across science, technology, policy and education. The recent explosion of big data has created new opportunities, and the department's students and faculty are leading the development of new ideas, including in the emerging area of data science. "The name change simply captures what we have been doing for some time," said Christopher Genovese , head of the department. "This is a formal way to further establish our presence and prominent reputation in data science, and it matches what we are doing both in our curricula and in our research." The Department of Statistics & Data Science, which is part of CMU's Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is among the fastest growing programs in the nation.