Statistics Minor
Statistics is the science of drawing inferences from data. The statistics minor is recommended for students who wish to gain experience in both the theoretical foundations of statistics and applied data analysis. The study of statistics prepares students for graduate study in statistics, biostatistics, or a related field; research in applied science or social science; or work in business, medicine, technology, law, finance, and many other fields.
The minor in statistics consists of five units:
(A) Foundation in probability theory: MATH 220/STAT 220
(B) Foundation in computing: CS 111, or CS 115
(C) Foundation in modeling: Either QR 260/STAT 260 or STAT 318
(D) Two electives from the following list, including at least one STAT elective:
Introductory statistics:
At most one introductory statistics course can count toward the minor. See “Entry Points” below for guidance.
- STAT 160 Fundamentals of Statistics
- STAT 218 Introductory Statistics and Data Analysis
- BISC 198 Statistics in the Biosciences
- ECON 103/SOC 190 Introduction to Probability and Statistical Methods
- POL 299 Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science
- PSYC 105 Introduction to Data Analysis in Psychological Science
Statistical theory:
-
STAT 221 Statistical Inference
Intermediate and advanced applied statistics:
- STAT 219 Spatial Statistics
- STAT 228 Multivariate Data Analysis
- STAT 260/QR 260 Applied Data Analysis and Statistical Inference
- STAT 309/QR 309 Causal Inference
- STAT 318 Regression Analysis and Statistical Models
- STAT 320 Introduction to Bayesian Methods
- ECON 203 Econometrics
- ECON 303 Advanced Econometrics
- Other STAT electives when offered.
The minor is open to students from any major, including mathematics, recognizing that no course may count toward both the major and the minor. Students whose majors overlap with these requirements should consult a statistics faculty advisor and a major advisor. A certificate from the Quantitative Analysis Institute Summer Program meets requirement (C) but does not count toward the five units for the statistics minor; students should take either STAT 318 from (C) or an extra stat elective. A student may count both STAT 260/QR 260 and STAT 318, one toward the modeling requirement and the other as an elective. Note that MATH 205 is a prerequisite for STAT 220 but does not count toward the minor; other courses listed above similarly have prerequisites that cannot be counted.
Entry Points
- Students should complete calculus through MATH 205 in order to take STAT 220.
- The computing requirement can be met at any time.
- A student who completes MATH 205 before taking any of the courses listed under (D) is encouraged to begin the applied courses with STAT 218.
- A student who completes an introductory statistics course other than STAT 218 can begin the applied courses with STAT 260.
- STAT 150 does not count towards the statistical minor. Students who wish to minor in statistics should take one of the introductory statistics courses above.