Bachelor of Science

Statistics, the science of learning from data, has become increasingly important as scientists, businesses, and governments rely more and more on data-driven decision-making. Statisticians work in many areas, including business, economics, medicine, epidemiology, agriculture, environmental sciences, sports, and all aspects of government. With the increasing digitization and networking of society, data have become ever more ubiquitous, further expanding the demand for statisticians and their expertise in the collection and analysis of data.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The mission of the Department of Statistics is to provide its students with a fundamental understanding of statistical reasoning and methodology, to train them to apply this knowledge to the collection and analysis of data, and to prepare them for careers in a highly technological society in which science and decision-making are increasingly driven by a rapid expansion in the quantity and availability of data.
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.392.1941 (tel) | 352.392.5175 (fax)

P.O. Box 118545
102 GRIFFIN-FLOYD HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-8545
Map

 Curriculum

Statistics majors learn how to design studies that effectively address the purpose of a research project and how to properly analyze the data collected in such studies. Core courses cover statistical methods applicable in a wide variety of settings (e.g., regression and design of experiments) as well as the conceptual and mathematical foundations of statistics. Other courses explore specific data types often encountered in practical settings. Statistics majors have the option to minor in actuarial science, a profession involving the statistical and financial practices of insurance.

Students who wish to major in Statistics must consult a department advisor early in their programs.

Degrees

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts in Statistics.

Bachelor of Arts

Intended for students who wish to pursue a career in the field of statistics or to teach statistics at the secondary-school level, but who do not currently contemplate graduate study in statistics.

Bachelor of Science

Intended for students who wish to pursue graduate study in statistics or a closely related area, and for other strong students with a deeper interest in the mathematical foundations of statistics.

Coursework for the Major

Required Coursework for Both Degrees

The BA in Statistics requires a minimum of 42 credits in statistics and related coursework. The BS in Statistics requires a minimum of 49 credits in statistics and related coursework. It is important that the prerequisites for each course are met before the course is attempted.

Students must receive minimum grades of C within two attempts (including withdrawals) in every required core course and in every course counted toward the 12 credit elective requirement, with the exception of MAC 2312 and MAC 2313 for the BS, where students must receive a minimum grade of B. Students cannot retake core or statistics elective courses after earning a minimum grade of C, with the exception of MAC 2312 and MAC 2313 for the BS, in which students must receive a minimum grade of B. A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be achieved on all attempts of core and major elective courses and, additionally for the BS, a minimum GPA of 3.0 on MAC 2312 and MAC 2313. The grades from all attempts to satisfy core requirements will be used to compute the minimum GPA. A minimum of 18 credits of major coursework must be taken at UF, including a minimum of 12 credits of core coursework.

Core
Select one:12
MAC 2311
& MAC 2312
& MAC 2313
Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
and Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
and Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
MAC 3472
& MAC 3473
& MAC 3474
Honors Calculus 1
and Honors Calculus 2
and Honors Calculus 3
STA 3100Programming With Data in R3
STA 4210Regression Analysis 13
STA 4211Design of Experiments 1,2,43
STA 4321Introduction to Probability 13
STA 4322Introduction to Statistics Theory 1,33
STA 4504Categorical Data Analysis3
Total Credits30
1

The course sequences, STA 4210-STA 4211 and STA 4321-STA 4322 should be completed by the end of the junior year.

2

Prerequisite: STA 4210.

3

Prerequisite: STA 4321.

4

Students pursuing the major must enroll in the restricted to STA majors only section of STA 4211.

Bachelor of Science

The BS is intended for students who wish to pursue graduate study in statistics or a closely related area, and for other strong students with a deeper interest in the mathematical foundations of statistics.

Additional Required Coursework for BS

Core
MAS 4105Linear Algebra 14
MHF 3202Sets and Logic3
Math and Science Electives
Select two:6
MAA 4102
Introduction to Real Analysis 1 1
or MAA 4211
 Real Analysis and Advanced Calculus 1
MAA 4103
Introduction to Real Analysis 2 1
or MAA 4212
 Real Analysis and Advanced Calculus 2
MAA 4402
Functions of a Complex Variable
MAD 4401
Introduction to Numerical Analysis
MHF 4102
Elements of Set Theory
Statistics Electives
Select two:6
STA 4222
Sample Survey Design
STA 4241
Statistical Learning in R
STA 4273
Statistical Computing in R
STA 4502
Nonparametric Statistical Methods
STA 4702
Multivariate Statistical Methods
STA 4712
Introduction to Survival Analysis
STA 4821
Stochastic Processes
STA 4853
Introduction to Time Series and Forecasting
STA 4930
Special Topics
Total Credits19
1

Students who aim to pursue (doctorate) graduate degrees in the field of mathematical sciences/statistics are encouraged to complete MAA 4211 and/or MAA 4212.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

  • Complete MAC 1147 or higher-level calculus
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

Semester 4

  • Complete MAC 2312 with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8

  • Complete STA 4504 and all remaining Statistics and Math and Sciences electives
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAS 4105, and the math elective count towards 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Science laboratory (Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences) 1
 Credits14
Semester Two
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
STA 2023
or STA 3032
 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics)
or Engineering Statistics
 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits16
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences-area not taken in semester one) 3
MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
MHF 3202 Sets and Logic (Critical Tracking) 3
STA 3100 Programming With Data in R (Critical Tracking) 3
Foreign Language 3-5
 Credits16-18
Semester Four
MAS 4105 Linear Algebra 1 (Critical Tracking) 4
Elective (needed if placed out of language with SAT II) 3
Foreign language 3-5
Gen Ed Humanities 3
 Credits13-15
Semester Five
STA 4210 Regression Analysis (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
STA 4321 Introduction to Probability (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
Foreign language if 4-3-3 option 3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits15
Semester Six
STA 4211 Design of Experiments (Critical Tracking) 3
STA 4322 Introduction to Statistics Theory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Seven
STA 4504 Categorical Data Analysis (Critical Tracking) 3
STA elective (Critical Tracking) 3
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) 3
Electives 7
 Credits16
Semester Eight
Math science electives (Critical Tracking) 6
STA elective (Critical Tracking) 3
Electives 6
 Credits15
 Total Credits120

The Statistics major enables students to achieve proficiency in the fundamentals of statistical reasoning. Through study of both theoretical and applied statistics and through data analysis projects, students will gain knowledge in problem solving, statistical applications and data-based inferences. Emphasis is on developing the ability to approach real world problems and through the use of statistical methods to be able to analyze and to draw valid scientific inferences.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Complete an exam on the fundamentals of statistics, which will be 5% of the grade in STA 4211.
  • Complete a data analysis project, which will be 10% of the grade in STA 4211.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Identify, define, and describe concepts and issues in statistics, including those involved in designing a statistical study, in statistical estimation and in tests of hypotheses.

Critical Thinking

  1. Identify sources of variability in a given problem setting and formulate an appropriate statistical analysis.

Communication

  1. Clearly and effectively present ideas in speech and in writing concerning statistical issues and analyses of data.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3
STA 4210 I I I
STA 4211 A A A
STA 4222 R R R
STA 4321 I
STA 4322 I
STA 4502 R R R
STA 4504 R R R
STA 4702 R R R
STA 4712 R R R
STA 4853 R R R

Assessment Types

  • Exams
  • Projects
  • Written and oral presentations