Program Overview

Bachelor's Degree (BS) in Statistics and Data Science

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Data Science (SDS) is a four-year degree that provides students with foundational training and marketable skills in statistics and data science. This program prepares graduates for careers as data analysts, statisticians, data scientists, or business intelligence analysts, equipping them with the skills to work in fields like healthcare, finance, technology, or government, where data-driven solutions are key to innovation and success.

Who is this program for?

A bachelor's degree in Statistics and Data Science is ideal for students who enjoy problem-solving, working with data, and uncovering insights that drive decision-making across various industries.

Program Overview

The innovative curriculum is designed to equip students to execute all stages of a data analysis, from data acquisition and exploration to application of statistics and machine learning methods to the creation of data products (e.g., written reports, dashboards, presentations). The program prepares students to enter the workforce directly, or with our specialization in Statistical Theory, as strong candidates for graduate school in statistics. More generally, all students will be well-prepared for roles in other data-driven fields.

Related Careers

• Actuary
  • Biostatistician
  • Business Analyst
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Data Architect
  • Data Mining Analyst
  • Data Modeler
  • Data Scientist
  • Data Visualization Developer
  • Data Warehouse Analyst
  • Database Administrator, Developer, or Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Statistician

Program Details

• Offered by: College of Arts and Sciences
• Credit Hours: 120
• Credential: BS

Admission Requirements

• Official High School Transcript with Pre-College Curriculum: View transcript requirements on the Undergraduate Admission webpage.
• Test Scores (optional): ACT or SAT scores can be submitted but are not required for university admission.

Application Requirements

Completed applications include an official high school transcript, application fee ($50 domestic/$60 international) and optional official ACT/SAT score (the University of Kentucky is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the academic year).

Application Deadlines

Freshman

• Early Action: 12/01/2025
• Regular Decision: 02/15/2026

Transfer

• Fall Scholarship: 06/15/2026
• Fall: 08/01/2026
• Spring: 11/15/2025
• Summer: 04/15/2026

Curriculum

The Statistics and Data Science program provides students with a strong foundation in statistical theory, data analysis, and computational methods. Students learn to collect, manage, and interpret data using tools such as statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and hands-on experience with real-world data to prepare students to draw meaningful conclusions and communicate insights effectively.

Sample Curriculum Plan

• Freshman Year: 28 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 14 credit hours
    • UKCRCC1: UK Core - Comp. & Comm. I
    • ASFOR101: Foreign Language 101
    • MA-113OR137: MA 113 -or- MA 137
    • AS-ELEC: Elective
  • Spring Semester: 14 credit hours
    • UKCRCC2: UK Core - Comp. & Comm. II
    • ASFOR102: Foreign Language 102
    • MA-114OR138: MA 114 -or- MA 138
    • STA 296: STATISTICAL METHODS AND MOTIVATIONS
• Sophomore Year: 31 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 16 credit hours
    • ASFOR201: Foreign Language 201
    • STA 300: DATA VISUALIZATION
    • STA 305: INTRODUCTION TO DATA SCIENCE
    • UKCRHUM: UK Core - Humanities
    • AS-MPOC: A&S Many People, One Community
  • Spring Semester: 15 credit hours
    • ASFOR202: Foreign Language 202
    • STA 310: INTRO PROBABILITY AND INFERENCE
    • UKCRSSC: UK Core - Social Sciences
    • UKCRNPM: UK Core - Natural, Physical and Math
    • ASHUM: A&S Humanities
• Junior Year: 31 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 15 credit hours
    • STA 315: APPLIED STAT MODELING AND EXP DESIGN
    • MA 322: MATRIX ALGEBRA & APPLS
    • UKCRACR: UK Core - Arts and Creativity
    • UKCRCCC: UK Core - Community, Culture and Citizen
    • ASNATSCI: A&S Natural Sciences
  • Spring Semester: 16 credit hours
    • STA 415: PREDICTIVE MOD AND INTRO MACHINE LEARN
    • SDSCSPEC: Specialization Course
    • SDSCSPEC: Specialization Course
    • UKCRGDY: UK Core - Global Dynamics
    • ASSOCSCI: A&S Social Sciences
• Senior Year: 30 credit hours
  • Fall Semester: 15 credit hours
    • STA 425: COMPUTATIONAL BAYESIAN STATISTICS
    • SDSCSPEC: Specialization Course
    • AS-ELEC: Elective
    • AS-ELEC: Elective
    • AS-ELEC: Elective
  • Spring Semester: 15 credit hours
    • STA 495: STAT AND DATA SCI IN CONTEXT: PRACTICUM
    • SDSCSPEC: Specialization Course
    • AS-ELEC: Elective
    • AS-ELEC: Elective
    • AS-ELEC: Elective

Financial Aid Options

Undergraduate degree-seeking students have access to a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans, designed to make education more affordable.