A major in statistics is offered in both the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture. Students planning to major in statistics should have a strong interest in mathematics and some interest in computing.
A student majoring in statistics can also work toward a minor in actuarial science. Details are available from the Department of Statistics. All students who wish to major in statistics must consult a department adviser early in their program.
The Major: To continue in the major after semester four, students must have completed MAC 2311 and 2312 with an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 in a combined total of three attempts (including a grade of W).
All majors are required to complete the following requirements:
Core (complete all):
STA 4210, 4211, 4321, 4322, STA 4502 or 4504, MAC 2312-13 or MAC 3473-74, MAS 2103 or 3114 or 4105
Statistics Electives (choose 2):
STA 4173, 4222, 4502 (if not used in core), STA 4504 (if not used in core), STA 4664, 4702, 4821
Programming Electives (choose 1):
CGS 2420, 2425-25L, 3403, 3460, 3462, CIS 3020
Additional Electives (choose 1):
COT 4501, ESI 4312, MAA 4102, MAA 4211, MAD 4401, MAS 4105 (if not used in core) MAS 4107
The courses STA 4210-11 must be taken in sequence. STA 4321-22 should be completed by the end of the junior year.
The student must receive a grade of C within two attempts (including withdrawals) in every required core course and in every course counted toward the 12-hour elective requirement. The grades from all attempts to satisfy the core requirements will be used to compute a core GPA that must be at least a 2.0. In addition, the student must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0 in all attempts to satisfy the core and elective requirements.
No majors may take any statistics course at the 3000 level or below after completing a 4000-level STA course. Also, students may not retake any core or elective course(s) in which a grade of C or better has already been earned.
Of the 38 credits required for the degree, at least 18 credits must be earned with grades of C or better while enrolled at the university. At least 12 of the 15 STA credits in the core must be included in this 18-hour requirement.
Major in Quantitative Sciences: The college offers an interdisciplinary major in quantitative sciences administered by the departments of Mathematics and Statistics.
The program equips students with the mathematical and statistical perspectives and computational skills required to understand the challenges of an increasingly technological and quantitatively analyzed society. Students who are attracted to engineering, mathematics, statistics and computer science may wish to explore this major.
Elective packages can tailor the program in a specific direction such as biology and medicine, business and finance, computer science and imaging science. For a description of required courses and elective packages, refer to the Mathematics major in this catalog. See below.
Quantitative Sciences
To remain 'on track' for this major you must meet the following critical tracking criteria. The critical tracking courses appear in bold.
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for sem 1-.5
- Complete 1 MAC course
Semester 2:
Semester 3:
- Complete MAC2311 and MAC2312
Semester 4:
- Complete MAC2313 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking coursework
Semester 5:
- Complete MAP2302 and any scientific programming language (CIS3020 or CGS2425 and CGS2425L preferred) with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking coursework.
Accelerated Bachelor's and Master's Program: Superior students can earn both degrees in a shorter time than typically would be possible by counting up to 15 credits of approved graduate courses toward both degrees. For additional information and application, contact the undergraduate or graduate coordinator.
The Minor: A minimum of 15 hours (five courses) of 4000-level statistics courses (excluding STA 4033 and 4170) are required. Of these, no more than three hours may be transfer credits. All statistics minors are required to complete STA 4210 and 4211. Each statistics minor whose major requires the completion of MAC 2312-13 is required to complete STA 4321-22. In addition, all students minoring in statistics are required to complete all 4000-level statistics courses with grades of C or higher, take no courses toward the minor on an S/U basis and count no individual study courses toward the minor.
General Education: Statistics courses satisfy three credits of computation and six credits of general education mathematical sciences.
Statistics
To remain 'on track' for this major you must meet the following critical tracking criteria. The critical tracking courses appear in bold.
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for sem 1-5
Semester 2:
- Complete MAC1147 or higher level calculus
Semester 3:
Semester 4:
- Complete MAC2312 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking coursework
Semester 5:
- Complete MAC2313 and either MAP2302 or any 3000 level STA course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking coursework.
See a statistics adviser early to plan a program that reflects individual interests and needs.