2020-2021 Undergraduate Academic Catalogue 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Academic Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Statistics, BS


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The objective of the major in statistics is to provide students interested in data analysis, designing research studies, and model fitting with a sound foundation in statistics, mathematics, and computing. The major will enable the student to begin a career as a statistician or an actuary or to be accepted into a graduate program in statistics.

Requirements for the Major


Requirements for a major and an example of a typical program of courses are listed below. Students with advanced placement credit may visit the department website for a suggested sequence of courses.

Freshman Year


Spring Term


Sophomore Year


Junior Year


Fall Term


  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*

Spring Term


  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • PL 200-Level Philosophical Perspectives Course or
  • Theology Core
  • Fine Arts Core
  • Elective

Senior Year


Fall Term


  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • Ethics Core
  • Nondepartmental Elective**
  • Elective

Spring Term


  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • MA/ST 400-Level Course*
  • Nondepartmental Elective**
  • Elective
  • Elective

Key:


* Required for major.
** Terms may be interchanged.
*** See Note 4.
† Natural Science Core: BL 118 /BL 119  or BL 201 /BL 202  or CH 101  or PH 201 /PH 291 .

Notes:


  1. Beginning Courses: ST 210  gives a first exposure to statistics, while MA 251  and MA 252  provide the foundational mathematics skills that will be required in advanced statistics and mathematics courses. These courses must be taken prior to any intermediate ones. Advanced placement is possible for incoming freshmen through the CLEP and advanced placement tests. See department chair for details. CS 151  provides the foundation for the use of computing in statistics.
  2. Intermediate Courses: ST 310 , MA 301 , MA 351 , and MA 395 ST 310  familiarizes students to two broadly used statistical packages (SAS and R) in academics, government, science and industry. The mathematics courses build on the quantitative maturity developed in the beginning courses. They are designed to bring problem solving and mathematical thinking to a higher, more rigorous level and to continue to develop the mathematics skills and tools necessary to master the advanced courses.
  3. Advanced Courses: Eight MA/ST 400-level courses chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. Selections depend on the student's interests and career goals. It may not be necessary to take all intermediate courses before beginning an advanced course. Check the prerequisites for the desired course. It is important that students discuss their options with their advisor to plan for the advanced courses that are right for them. ST 461  and ST 465  are required of all statistics majors. The remaining six 400-level courses are chosen from the following (depending on the concentration selected): ST 462 , ST 466 , ST 471 , ST 472 , ST 475 , and ST 485 . Students may choose to take MA 302  in place of one of these 400-level courses. In addition, up to two of the six 400-level courses may be selected from MA 421 , MA 427 , MA 445 , and MA 481 .
  4. Computer Skills: All statistics majors are required to take ST 310  to develop proficiency in the software of statisticians. Majors are also required to take CS 151 . Statistics majors with enhanced computer skills find a wider job market open to them. However, these students cannot consider their computer skills truly "marketable" having only taken CS 151 CS 212  offers students the opportunity to learn the complete syntax of a computer language and gives them the necessary experience to become proficient programmers. CS 212  is strongly recommended as an elective for statistics majors. Statistics majors may also consider taking MA 302 . Students concentrating in actuarial sciences are urged to consider taking IS 251 .
  5. Concentrations/Required Advanced Courses: Requirements for the two available concentrations are listed below. Upon selecting a concentration, each student will be assigned an advisor responsible for counseling, approving course choices, and monitoring progress. All statistics majors must complete an advanced, full-year sequence. One of these full-year sequences is Elements of Statistical Theory I and II (ST 461  and ST 462 ). The other is Experimental Research Methods and Experimental Design (ST 465  and ST 466 ).

Actuarial Science: Eight advanced MA/ST courses including: Elements of Statistical Theory I/II and Experimental Research Methods. Students are required to take Microeconomic Principles, Macroeconomic Principles, Financial Accounting, and Financial Management.

Statistical Science: Eight advanced MA/ST courses including: Elements of Statistical Theory I, Experimental Research Methods, and Elements of Statistical Theory II or Experimental Design.

  1. Students must complete the diversity core requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Core Requirement  under Curriculum and Policies).

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