Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content
Columbia Campus    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin 
    
 
  Nov 25, 2024
 
2018-2019 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin [Archived Catalog]

Statistics, B.S.



Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate the ability to perform fundamental statistical analyses and to prepare informative graphics for public presentation.
  • Students will demonstrate a mastery of probability and mathematical statistics at the mathematical level of calculus and linear algebra.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to use statistical programming languages.
  • Students will demonstrate competency in technical writing and presentation.

Basic Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degrees (120 Hours)


Note: Bachelor of Science degrees with majors in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, Geological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology or Statistics, and the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a major in Chemistry require 120 hours. All other Bachelor of Science degrees require a minimum of 128 hours.

  1. Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements
  2. Major
  3. Cognate or Minor Requirements (optional for BSIS majors)
  4. Electives

1. Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements


CMW: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 Hours)


  • Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

ARP: Carolina Core Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (A Minimum of 12 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

Bachelor of Science degrees require a minimum of 12 hours, as specified by the major program, to include:

SCI: Carolina Core Scientific Literacy (8 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

  • Two 4-credit hour laboratory science courses.

GFL: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Communicate Effectively in More than One Language (0-9 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

  • Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required for all baccalaureate degrees. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.

It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.

GHS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (6 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

  • One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on U.S. History: HIST 111, 112, 214, or another GHS approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category and
  • One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on non-U.S. History: HIST 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, GERM 280, FAMS 300, or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category.

GSS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (6 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

AIU: Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 Hours)


Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements:

  • Up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses. At least one of these requirements must be satisfied by a course not applied elsewhere in general education. (3-9 hours)

CMS: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Speech (3 Hours)


INF: Carolina Core Information Literacy (0-3 Hours)


VSR: Carolina Core Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility (3 Hours)


Other Required General Education Courses for the College of Arts and Sciences


Fine Arts and Humanities Requirements (3 Hours)


  • Bachelor of Science degrees require 3 Hours in the fine arts. (May be taken as Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding.)
  • Bachelor of Science degrees require an additional 3 Hours in the fine arts or humanities.

2. Statistics Major


The Bachelor of Science in Statistics degree program is designed to give the student a balance of skills in statistical theory and applied statistical data analysis. The program is broad, yet rigorous enough to prepare a student to work in business, industry, or government as a statistician, to work as an actuary, or to pursue graduate work in statistics.

Major Prerequisites


The following courses may fulfill some of the general education or cognate requirements and must be passed with a C or higher (in at most two attempts) for a B.S. degree in statistics:

Select one course from the following:


Select one course from the following:


Select one course from the following:


Major Requirements (27-45 Hours)


General Major (27* Hours)


Advanced Applications (9 Hours)


  • Select three courses from STAT 500** or above.

Major with Emphasis in Actuarial Science (27* hours)


Minor in Risk Management and Insurance (18 Hours)


The Minor in Risk Management and Insurance is required for the Emphasis in Actuarial Science. Refer to the Risk Management and Insurance Minor  for requirements.

Advanced Applications (9 Hours)


Notes:


* A student double majoring in Mathematics and Statistics may use STAT 511 [=MATH 511] to satisfy a major requirement in both programs.

A student double majoring in Economics (in the College of Arts and Sciences) and Statistics may use the combination of both ECON 436 and STAT 506 in place of the combination of both STAT 516 and one of the STAT 500 or above advanced application courses for the Statistics major. In this case ECON 436 may satisfy a major requirement in both programs. ECON 436 and STAT 516 may not both be used to satisfy major requirements in Statistics.

** Major credit will be given for only one of STAT 509 or STAT 515. Neither STAT 509 nor STAT 515 may be taken concurrently with, or after, STAT 513. A student who has started the Statistics major after taking STAT 512 may replace the STAT 509/515 requirement with an additional 3 hour advanced application course chosen from STAT 500 or above.

Retention:


To be retained in the program, a student must obtain a grade of C or higher in at most two attempts in all mathematics, computer science, and statistics courses required for graduation.

Transfer Requirement:


Any student applying to transfer to the statistics major from other programs within the University, or from other accredited colleges and universities, is required to have earned a grade of “B” or higher in at least one of the following courses, or their equivalent: USC’s MATH 141  (Calculus I), MATH 142  (Calculus II), STAT 509  (Statistics for Engineers), or STAT 515  (Statistical Methods I). An AP or IB exam score that provides credit for MATH 142  also satisfies this requirement. STAT 509  and STAT 515  are advanced undergraduate courses. This requirement is in addition to the minimum University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements.

Cognate or Minor Requirements (12-18 Hours) for B.S. Degrees


Cognate


The cognate is intended to support the course work in the major. The cognate must consist of twelve (12) hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of but related to the major. The cognate may be taken in one or more departments or programs, depending on the interests of the student and the judgment of the advisor.

Courses offered by departments and programs that are acceptable for cognate credit are outlined in the section titled Courses Acceptable for Cognate Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences .

For cognate course offerings in other colleges, consult the appropriate sections of this bulletin. Some major programs have specific cognate requirements.

It should be emphasized that the cognate is not a second set of elective courses to be chosen at random by the student. The cognate must be approved by the major advisor as being related to the major field of study. Students are urged to consult their major advisors for specific requirements in their major.

Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the cognate.

For Bachelor of Science degrees, grades of D are acceptable for completion of the cognate requirement, except where restricted by the major program.

Minor


In place of the cognate a student in the College of Arts and Sciences may choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. (Some minors in the sciences require a minimum of16 hours.) The subject area of the minor may be related to the major. Students pursuing interdisciplinary minors who wish to use courses in their major department for minor credit must petition the College Committee on Scholastic Standards and Petitions for permission to do so.

The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. It differs from the cognate inasmuch as the courses must be concentrated in one area and must follow a structured sequence. Interdisciplinary minors can be designed with the approval of the assistant dean for academic affairs and advising.

Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University

A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z .

4. Electives for B.S. Degrees


No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification of inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.