Program Overview

Statistics Major

The Statistics Major is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of statistical theory and methods, as well as practical experience in data analysis and interpretation.

Requirements for the Statistics Major

To complete the Statistics Major, students must take the following courses:

• 2 introductory courses: STAT 201-0 Introduction to Programming for Data Science, STAT 202-0 Introduction to Statistics and Data Science, or STAT 210-0 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
• 4 core courses: STAT 320-1 Statistical Theory & Methods 1, STAT 320-2 Statistical Theory & Methods 2, STAT 320-3 Statistical Theory & Methods 3, and STAT 350-0 Regression Analysis
• 2 standard methods courses chosen from: STAT 328-0 Causal Inference, STAT 344-0 Statistical Computing, STAT 348-0 Applied Multivariate Analysis, STAT 351-0 Design and Analysis of Experiments, STAT 352-0 Nonparametric Statistical Methods, STAT 353-0 Advanced Regression, STAT 354-0 Time Series Modeling, STAT 357-0 Introduction to Bayesian Statistics, and STAT 365-0 Introduction to the Analysis of Financial Data
• 2 300-level STAT elective courses (see list below)

300-level STAT Electives

The following courses are approved 300-level electives for the major:

• STAT 301-1 Data Science 1 with R
• STAT 301-2 Data Science 2 with R
• STAT 301-3 Data Science 3 with R
• STAT 303-1 Data Science 1 with Python
• STAT 303-2 Data Science 2 with Python
• STAT 303-3 Data Science 3 with Python
• STAT 302-0 Data Visualization
• STAT 304-0 Data Structures and Algorithms for Data Science
• STAT 305-0 Information Management for Data Science
• STAT 328-0 Causal Inference
• STAT 344-0 Statistical Computing
• STAT 348-0 Applied Multivariate Analysis
• STAT 351-0 Design and Analysis of Experiments
• STAT 352-0 Nonparametric Statistical Methods
• STAT 354-0 Time Series Modeling
• STAT 353-0 Advanced Regression
• STAT 356-0 Hierarchical Linear Models
• STAT 357-0 Introduction to Bayesian Statistics
• STAT 359-0 Topics in Statistics
• STAT 360-0 Introduction to Generative AI
• STAT 362-0 Advanced Machine Learning for Data Science
• STAT 365-0 Introduction to the Analysis of Financial Data
• STAT 390-0 Data Science Project

No more than one of the following courses from other departments may be substituted for 1 department elective:

• COMP_SCI 214-0 Data Structures & Algorithms
• COMP_SCI 217-0 Data Management & Information Processing
• IEMS 315-0 Stochastic Models
• IEMS 351-0 Optimization Methods in Data Science
• IEMS 365-0 Analytics for Social Good
• IEMS 373-0 Intro to Financial Engineering
• MATH 310-2 Probability and Stochastic Processes

Related Course Requirement

In addition to the 10 department courses, students must complete related courses in mathematics. The following courses are required:

• MATH 220-1 Single-Variable Differential Calculus
• MATH 220-2 Single-Variable Integral Calculus
• MATH 230-1 Multivariable Differential Calculus
• MATH 226-0 Sequences and Series
• MATH 240-0 Linear Algebra

The Statistics Major with Additional Majors or Minors

The major in Statistics fulfills the Weinberg College requirement of completion of a major, but it also can be completed alongside another major, or with a minor. The general Weinberg College policies apply to such combinations.

The Statistics Major for Students in the Integrated Science Program

Students complete all requirements for ISP major, and requirements for Statistics major are modified as follows:

• Introductory Statistics course requirement: STAT 202-0, STAT 210-0, or equivalent is waived
• MATH 226-0 is waived
• STAT 383-0 Probability and Statistics for ISP counts in place of STAT 320-1

All other statistics major course requirements remain the same.

The Statistics Major for Students in the Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences Program

Students complete all requirements for the MMSS adjunct major, and requirements for Statistics major are modified as follows:

• Introductory Statistics course requirement: STAT 202-0, STAT 210-0, or equivalent is waived
• MATH 226-0 is waived
• MATH 385-0 Probability and Statistics for MMSS counts in place of STAT 320-1
• STAT 350-0 is replaced by a combination of MATH 386-1 Econometrics for MMSS and MATH 386-2 Econometrics for MMSS

All other statistics major course requirements remain the same.

Honors in Statistics

Majors with strong academic records and an interest in pursuing honors should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies no later than the start of senior year. Accepted students take 2 quarters of STAT 399-0 Independent Study, during which they develop and write a research paper; these enrollments do not count toward the major.

Students whose theses and grades meet department criteria are recommended to the college for graduation with honors. For more information consult the Director of Undergraduate studies and see Honors in the Major.