Statistics BS

Overview

The Statistics major is designed to provide a general introduction to the practice of statistics for students who intend to pursue study at the graduate level or seek employment in industry or government. Courses are selected to provide sufficient theoretical background for future graduate-level research work, exposure to modern techniques … For more content click the Read More button below.

The Statistics major is designed to provide a general introduction to the practice of statistics for students who intend to pursue study at the graduate level or seek employment in industry or government. Courses are selected to provide sufficient theoretical background for future graduate-level research work, exposure to modern techniques and practices, and experience in fields of application.

It is strongly recommended that students, in conjunction with the BS degree, pursue a minor in a substantive discipline that applies statistics. Students must consult with the undergraduate faculty adviser to ensure that the minor selected is one in which statistics is applied.

Students interested in the major in Statistics should meet with the student affairs officer early in their careers. Students who have completed Mathematics 33A, Statistics 20, and at least one course from Statistics 10 through 13 may declare a premajor.

The Statistics major is a designated capstone major. Students are prepared for future academic studies, as well as for careers in which understanding, analyzing, communication, and organizing data are of central importance. The capstone gives students an opportunity to put into practice concepts and ideas that otherwise might remain theoretical and/or abstract, and to synthesize the many topics they have studied. Students should demonstrate ability to restate investigative questions in terms of statistical models or algorithms, find appropriate research literature to support their work, relate theoretical concepts to real-world problems, and clearly communicate their results to nontechnical audiences.

Requirements

Premajor

Incoming first-year and transfer students may be admitted as Statistics premajors on acceptance to UCLA. Premajor students must apply for the major after completing Statistics 20, and one course from Statistics 10 through 15, with grades of C or better, and an overall grade-point average of 2.5. Any student who meets the premajor requirements may declare the major with the undergraduate adviser in 8117A Mathematical Sciences, 310-206-3742.

Preparation for the Major

Preparation for the Major Policies

First-Year Students

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants to the Statistics major with 90 or more units must complete as many of the following introductory courses as possible prior to admission: two years of calculus, one linear algebra course, and one statistics course. These courses must be completed with a minimum grade-point average of 2.5. Students must declare the major with the department undergraduate adviser no later than the end of the fall quarter of their junior year.

Refer to the UCLA transfer admission guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.

The Major

Required: Statistics 100A, 100B, 100C, 101A, 101B, 101C, 102A, 102B, 102C, two capstone statistical consulting courses (140XP, 141XP), and two upper-division elective courses selected from courses 112 through 199 (except courses 147, M148, 184, 186), Mathematics 131A, 131B, 151A, 151B, 170B, 171. Students are strongly encouraged to take electives in departments other than Statistics, particularly in mathematics, computer science, and substantive disciplines that apply statistical methods. Elective courses from outside the department may be selected in consultation with the department director of undergraduate education.

The capstone consists of two courses (Statistics 140XP and 141XP) that must be completed sequentially in the final year. Students must first complete courses 100B and 101B before they can begin the capstone.

Students planning to continue their study of statistics at the graduate level are strongly advised to include in their schedule as many of the following courses as possible: Mathematics 115A, 115B, 131A, 131B, 151A, 151B, 170B, 171.

The Major Policies