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    Statistics (CALS)

    Statistics majors use mathematical and computing skills to solve practical problems. Statistical methods 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.

    About This Major

    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 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 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 grade of C.

    Core (complete all)

    • MAC 2311 and MAC 2312 and MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1-3 or
      MAC 3472 and MAC 3473 and MAC 3474 Honors Calculus 1-3
    • MAS 3114 Computational Linear Algebra or MAS 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

    STA 4210 and STA 4211 must be taken in sequence.
    STA 4321 and STA 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. Majors cannot 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 2800 Computer Programming Using JAVA
    • COP 3275 Computer Programming Using C
    • COP 3502 Programming Fundamentals for CIS Majors 1

    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 a core course)
    • MAS 4107 Linear Algebra 2

    Recommended Coursework

    If graduate study in statistics is planned, courses MAA 4211, MAA 4212 and MAS 4105 are recommended.

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    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

    • Complete MAC 2311

    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
    AEB 2014 Economic Issues, Food and You (3) or
    AEB 3103 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (4) or
    ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (4) or
    ECO 2013 Principles of Microeconomics (4) (all are GE-S)    		 3-4
    CHM 1030 Basic Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1 (GE-P) or
    PHY 2020 Introduction to the Principles of Physics **    		 3
    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 2
    Total 15-16
    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 or 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 and MAA 4212 and MAS 4105 are recommended; choose other electives from physical, biological or agricultural sciences.

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majors: statistics