Statistical Education for Engineers: An Initial Task Force Report

Abstract

A three-day working conference to develop recommendations for the statistical education of engineers took place at the University of Iowa in July 1984. Although other areas, such as business, chemistry, and biology, are also important to improving the products of industry, we restricted our consideration to engineering. This report of the findings addresses the following questions: Who are the customers? What are their statistical needs? What types of courses, given by the industry for practicing engineers (called inhouse courses in this report), are desirable? How do we approach statistical education for engineering management? What types of resources are desirable for instructional purposes? What is the best first course in statistics for engineering students? How can we convince the engineering profession that statistical ideas and methods can help improve quality and productivity in American industry and thus its competitive position in the international market?