Final answer:
STA-21 candidates must be able to complete a baccalaureate degree within a timeframe suitable for the program. A survey showed the sample mean time to graduation is 5.1 years, and hypothesis testing can be applied to confirm if this supports the claim that it takes longer than the average. An engineering student could take anywhere from two to five or more years to complete their degree depending on preparedness.
Step-by-step explanation:
STA-21 candidates must be able to complete their baccalaureate degrees within certain time constraints to qualify for the program. The statement from the San Jose Mercury News indicated that the average time to finish undergraduate degrees is 4.5 years. However, a conducted survey of 49 students showed a sample mean of 5.1 years with a sample standard deviation of 1.2. To determine if this data supports the claim that the mean time to degree completion is longer than the reported 4.5 years, a hypothesis test at the 1 percent level of significance can be applied.
Looking at the distribution of graduation times, 40% of full-time students graduated in four years, 30% in five years, 20% in six years, and 10% in seven years. This information can be used to analyze the overall pattern of time taken to graduate. However, for STA-21 candidates or engineering students, the timeline can vary. An engineering student studying full-time is expected to complete their degree in four to five years, but it could take as little as two years for an exceptionally prepared student, or even more than five years depending on various factors.