The ability to carry out or assess statistical analyses is critical to an increasingly greater and greater number of other fields, ranging from psychology and sociology, to business and economics, to biology. Students wishing to obtain a solid background in statistics to complement their major field of study may wish to consider pursuing a minor concentration in this area. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers two options for minors of this nature, differing primarily in their balance of mathematical and methodological courses.
Minor Concentration Programs
Students must earn a minimum grade of C in courses taken toward a minor concentration. All minor concentrators develop their programs in consultation with an advisor.
Mathematical Statistics (1702)
Mathematical statistics underpins the development of new theory and methods to study data from a variety of fields including actuarial sciences and mathematical finance. Students minoring in mathematical statistics obtain a strong background in probability theory and statistical principles to complement their major field of study. Undergraduate training in mathematical statistics provides the ability to reason abstractly about random processes, which can provide a competitive edge in a student’s career prospects or may serve as a springboard to graduate study in a computational or theoretical discipline.
The prerequisite for the minor concentration is CAS MA 123 and 124, or 127 or 129 or equivalent. Principal courses required are CAS MA 213, 214, 225 or 230, and two chosen from 581, 582, and 583. In addition, it is strongly recommended that students take CAS CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science.
Statistical Methods (1702)
The ability to perform statistical analyses is critical to an increasingly greater number of fields ranging from psychology and sociology, to business and economics, to biology. Students minoring in statistical methods obtain a solid background in statistical reasoning, including classical and modern methods, to complement their major field of study. Undergraduate training in statistical methods can provide a competitive edge in a student’s career prospects or may serve as a springboard to graduate study in a computational discipline.
Principal courses required are CAS MA 115 or 213, 116 or 214, 416, 684; one course at the CAS MA 400–600 or CS 400–600 level, and one additional MA or CS course. The two latter courses are to be selected with the written approval of a statistics advisor.