Is statistics useful?

[S0me1X]

My statistics teacher insists that I need to know statistics to have a career in computer science or electrical engineering, tell me she is wrong (or right?).

 

[warcleric]

It teaches alot of objective thought and reasoning ability, yeah it is useful.

 

[vi edit]

Not only is it important for a job, but it really helps out in real life as well. By knowning statistics pretty well, you can figure out whether or not a commercial or a politician, or whoever is blowing smoke in your face. You can look at the numbers and determine if they are full of crap or not.

As far as a job in the computer field goes, it really can help you figure out margins of error, distributions, chances of success, ect. If you have the opportunity to take it, I would recommend hopping on that opportunity.

 

[AndrewR]

About 62% of the time.

I can't say that it was terribly useful for me, but then again, I slept through most of the class!!

 

[falconx88]

some1x:

by asking that question you are doing a statistical analysis of our opinion.

 

[cjchaps]

I graduated with a Comp Sci degree two years ago. I took an advanced statistics course, and I don't see the need for it. I have not had to recall anything from that class withen the last two years of working as a consultant.

 

[poop]

You need to know stats for performance evaluation. I am in a 500 level stats class right now that teaches how to design and judge experiments. Useful for mathematically proving (within predetermined error) whether or not a new method is better than an old one.