Statistics (CALS)
Statistics majors like using mathematical skills to solve practical problems. Statistics are used extensively in research conducted to improve medical, agricultural, industrial and business practices, to assess economic and social conditions, to gauge political opinion and to monitor effectiveness of government programs. Statistical analysis is at the heart of most research.
Overview
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 that study. Courses cover general tools applicable in a wide variety of settings (e.g., regression and design of experiments) and the mathematical foundations of statistics. There are also courses that explore specific data types 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 adviser early in their programs.
Coursework for the Major
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-hour elective requirement. The grades from all attempts to satisfy core requirements will be used to compute a minimum core GPA of 2.0. In addition, students must maintain an overall 2.0 GPA in all attempts to satisfy core and elective requirements.
Required Coursework
Students cannot retake core or elective courses after earning a minimum grade of C.
Core (complete all)
- MAC 2312-2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1-3 or
MAC 3473-3474 Honors Calculus 1-3
- MAS 3114 Computational Linear Algebra or 4105 Linear Algebra 1
- STA 4210 Regression Analysis
- STA 4211 Design of Experiments
- STA 4321 Introduction to Probability
- STA 4322 Introduction to Statistics Theory
- STA 4504 Categorical Data Analysis
The courses STA 4210-4211 must be taken in sequence. STA 4321-4322 should be completed by the end of the junior year.
Statistics Electives
- Any two additional three-credit, 4000-level courses (not individual study) offered by the Department of Statistics. No majors can take any statistics course at the 3000 level or below after completing a 4000-level STA course.
Programming Elective (choose one)
- COP 2271 and 2271L Computer Programming for Engineers and Computer Programming for Engineers Laboratory
- COP 3275 Computer Programming Using C
- COP 3229 Computer Programming Using C++
- COP 3504 Advanced Programming Fundamentals for CIS Majors
Math and Science Elective (choose one)
- COT 4501 Numerical Analysis - A Computational Approach
- ESI 4312 Operations Research 1
- MAA 4102 Introduction to Advanced Calculus for Engineers and Physical Scientists 1
- MAA 4211 Advanced Calculus 1
- MAD 4401 Introduction to Numerical Analysis
- MAS 4105 Linear Algebra 1 (if not taken as core course)
- MAS 4107 Linear Algebra 2
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Recommended Coursework
If graduate study in statistics is planned, courses MAA 4211, MAA 4212 and MAS 4105 are recommended.
Combined Degree Program
Superior students can earn both the bachelor's and master's degrees in a shorter time than typically would be possible by counting up to 12 credits of approved graduate courses toward both degrees. For information and application, contact the undergraduate or graduate coordinator.
Relevant Minors and/or Certificates
Statistics majors may want to consider a minor in actuarial science, which prepares students for careers as actuaries. Required courses cover the material for the beginning examinations and VEE credits leading to an associateship in the major national actuarial societies.
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. 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 for semesters 1-5
Semester 2
- Complete MAC 1147 or higher-level calculus
Semester 3
Semester 4
- Complete MAC 2312 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- Complete MAC 2313 and either a programming elective or any STA course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
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Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
| BSC 2009 and 2009L Biological Sciences (3) and Laboratory in Biological Sciences (1) (GE-B) |
4 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) * |
4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication |
3 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) * |
4 |
| Biological or Physical Science (GE-B or GE-P) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 1030 Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1 (GE-P) or
PHY 2020 Introduction to the Principles of Physics ** |
3 |
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics or
AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (GE-S) |
4 |
| MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE-M) * |
4 |
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 or
STA 3032 Engineering Statistics (GE-M) or
Programming elective |
3 |
| Elective |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences (WR) |
3 |
CHM 1031 Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 2 ** or
Elective |
3 |
| Electives |
6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) or Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
MAS 3114 Computational Linear Algebra or
MAS 4105 Linear Algebra 1 |
3 |
| STA 4210 Regression Analysis |
3 |
| STA 4321 Introduction to Probability |
3 |
| Approved electives *** |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| STA 4211 Design of Experiments |
3 |
| STA 4322 Introduction to Statistics Theory |
3 |
| STA 4504 Categorical Data Analysis |
3 |
| Approved electives *** |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
Advanced math elective
(Choose one: COT 4501, ESI 4312, MAA 4102, MAA 4211, MAD 4401, MAS 4105 if not used in core, or MAS 4107) |
3 |
| Approved electives *** |
6 |
| STA electives (4000 level) |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| Approved electives *** |
12 |
| Programming elective *** |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
* The three-course sequence, MAC 3472, 3473 and 3474 (Honors Calculus 1-3) can be substituted for MAC 2311, 2312 and 2313.
** PHY 2020 and three elective hours can be taken for CHM 1030 and 1031.
*** Approved electives include 21 non-STA electives at the 3000 level or higher. If statistics graduate study is contemplated, MAA 4211-4212 and MAS 4105 are recommended; choose other electives from physical, biological or agricultural sciences.
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