A Case Study of Applied Statistics Education in an Environmental Science Degree

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present a case study of applied statistics education in the undergraduate environmental science degree at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain (PUV). Education in applied statistical methods is of particular value to students who go on to work in careers in environmental management and decision making. In response to a growing need for professionals capable of identifying, analyzing and providing answers to specific issues related to environmental change and environmental problems, the PUV decided to include an applied statistics course in its specialized environmental science program. The course content was designed in accordance with the guidelines set out by the university’s official program, while the pedagogical approach and learning activities were developed to reflect recommendations made by mathematicians and statisticians over the past two decades as part of the reform movement in mathematics education. These recommendations include placing a greater emphasis on analyzing and interpreting data, increasing active participation by students, stimulating learning through real-world problem solving, and improving technology and communicating skills regarding data and chance. Student assessment and course evaluation procedures are also an important issue.