Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
MAJOR AND MINOR DESCRIPTIONS BY DEPARTMENT
STATISTICS
The field of statistics is concerned with ways of understanding variability in measurements. It is the science and art of making informed decisions in the face of uncertainty. Statistical reasoning is fundamental to research in many scientific fields. For example, probabilistic models of learning are used in education and psychology, and time series and regression models guide research in engineering, chemistry, economics, biology, and medicine. Recent high-profile court cases have shown the importance of the use of probability and statistics in law, especially in the fields of forensic medicine and DNA fingerprinting. Statisticians have also been instrumental in developing methods by which observations are obtained in many disciplines. Examples include randomized clinical trials in medicine and complex sampling surveys in social and political science. Probability and statistics are basic to the actuarial sciences. When lists are compiled of the most important scientific theories and discoveries of the last century, a substantial number of these developments are seen to be inherently statistical in nature.
The Department of Statistics offers course work leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in statistics, a minor in applied statistics, and a combined five-year bachelor and master’s degree in statistics. The department also offers a wide array of introductory service courses for general undergraduate audiences that deal with statistical methods in applications (and which require only high school mathematics). A joint major in economics and statistics is also available. Interested students should consult the requirements listed under Economics. Students considering majoring in statistics should consult with a department advisor early in their studies, preferably during their freshman year. For more information on the major, other programs, and the Department of Statistics, visit www.stat.pitt.edu.
Requirements for a BS in Statistics
The statistics major requires a minimum of 50 credits, including the following required courses:
Required course
STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods*
* With approval of the major advisor, students may substitute STAT 1000 under the following conditions.
- Complete STAT 0200 with a grade of B- or better; or
- Receive advanced placement for STAT 0200; or
- Complete STAT 1100 if the student is a Statistics-Business dual major.
All of the following courses
- STAT 1221 Applied Regression
- STAT 1223 Applied Regression Writing Component
- STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability
- STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
Two of the following introductory applied statistics courses
- STAT 1201 Applied Nonparametric Statistics
- STAT 1211 Applied Categorical Data Analysis
- STAT 1231 Applied Experimental Design
- STAT 1241 Applied Sampling
- STAT 1251 Statistical Quality Control
- STAT 1291 Topics in Applied Statistics 1
- STAT 1292 Topics in Applied Statistics 2
- STAT 1293 Topics in Applied Statistics 3
- STAT 1294 Topics in Applied Statistics 4
One intermediate applied statistics course from the following list:
- STAT 1301 Statistical Packages
- STAT 1311 Applied Multivariate Analysis
- STAT 1321 Applied Time Series
Both of the following courses
- STAT 1631 Intermediate Probability
- STAT 1632 Intermediate Mathematical Statistics
One statistics course from the following list
- STAT 1651 Bayesian Statistics
- STAT 1661 Linear Regression
- STAT 1662 Nonlinear Regression
- STAT 1731 Stochastic Processes
• STAT 1741 Applied Probability Theory - STAT 1761 Game Theory
- STAT 1781 Combinatorics
- STAT 1791 Topics in Probability and Statistics 1
- STAT 1792 Topics in Probability and Statistics 2
- STAT 1793 Topics in Probability and Statistics 3
- STAT 1794 Topics in Probability and Statistics 4
Mathematics courses: choose one group.
Group 1
- MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
- MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
Group 2
- MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- MATH 0235 Honors 1 Variable Calculus
- MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
One of the following courses
- MATH 0280 Introduction to Matrices and Linear Algebra
- MATH 1180 Linear Algebra 1
- MATH 1185 Honors Linear Algebra
Because professional statisticians collaborate with other scientists, students are encouraged to take elective courses from the behavioral, natural, physical, and social sciences.
Statistics majors must adhere to the following rules and requirements as well:
- Students must earn at least a C grade in each course required for the major.
- Students may not take required courses on the S/NC option .
- Since 15 credits of mathematics is one of the corequisites for the major, students who complete the major automatically fulfill the Dietrich School 12-credit related area requirement.
- Courses in technical writing and public speaking are recommended.
- Students planning to continue their studies in a graduate program are strongly encouraged to take MATH 0413 Introduction to Theoretical Mathematics, MATH 0420 Introductory Theory 1 Variable Calculus, MATH 1180 Linear Algebra 1, and as many additional mathematics courses in advanced calculus, numerical analysis, and computer sciences as possible.
In order to qualify for departmental honors at graduation, students must
- Have a GPA of at least 3.50 in all mathematics and statistics courses taken
- Have a GPA of at least 3.70 in all 1000-level courses taken within the department and
- Complete all other requirements for the statistics major.
Requirements for a Minor in Applied Statistics
Professionals in many fields use statistical procedures regularly. Decisions based on numerical information or data, if the data are collected and analyzed properly, are typically better decisions. The minor in applied statistics was designed to give students additional statistical tools and a better understanding of statistical reasoning.
The minor in applied statistics requires 16 credits, consisting of the following courses
- STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods.
- STAT 1221 Applied Regression
- Three additional courses from STAT 1200 through STAT 1700, excluding
- STAT 1223 Applied Regression Writing Component.
* Acceptable substitutes include STAT 1100 Statistics and Probability for Business Management, ENGR 0020 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 1, and STAT 0200 Basic Applied Statistics.
Requirements for a Combined Five-Year Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Statistics
Admission to the program requires the approval of both the undergraduate and graduate directors. The minimum requirements for admission are:
- Two letters of recommendation,
- minimum high school GPA of 3.25 or top 10 percent of class, and
- an SAT score of at least 1270 with a math score of at least 650.
Requirements for a Combined BS and MA in Statistics
- Introductory mathematics courses: MATH 0220, 0230, 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3; and MATH 0280 Introduction to Matrices and Linear Algebra or MATH 1180 Linear Algebra 1
- STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods, STAT 1221 Applied Regression, and STAT 1223 Applied Regression Writing Component, where STAT 1223 is a W (writing) course
- Three introductory applied statistics courses from the following list: STAT 1201 Applied Nonparametric Statistics, 1211 Applied Categorical Data Analysis, 1231 Applied Experimental Design, 1241 Applied Sampling, 1251 Statistical Quality Control, 1291–1294 Topics in Applied Statistics 1, 2, 3, and 4
- One intermediate applied statistics course from the following list: STAT 1301 Statistical Packages, 1311 Applied Multivariate Analysis, 1321 Applied Time Series
- STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability and STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
- STAT 1631 Intermediate Probability and STAT 1632 Intermediate Mathematical Statistics
- STAT 2131 and 2132 Applied Statistical Methods 1 and 2
- STAT 2381 Supervised Statistical Consulting
- Electives in statistics: Three additional courses, at least two of which must be graduate-level courses. STAT 2711 and 2712 are excluded, and courses at the 3000 level must be approved by the student’s advisor
- One graduate-level course from outside of the department, chosen in consultation with the graduate advisor
- Master’s pass on Preliminary Examination
Requirements for a Combined BS and MS in Statistics
Requirements one through 11 as above, except that requirement nine is reduced to one undergraduate or graduate course. In addition, the student must write and successfully defend a master’s thesis.
- Grade requirement: Students in the program must earn at least a B grade in each required course as well as maintain a 3.25 GPA.
Typical Schedule
First Year: MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods, MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2, STAT 1221 Applied Regression, STAT 1223 Applied Regression Writing Component
Second Year: MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3, STAT 1200-level course, MATH 0280 Introduction to Matrices and Linear Algebra, STAT 1200-level course
Third Year: STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability, STAT 1200-level course, STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics, STAT 1300-level course
Fourth Year: STAT 1631 Intermediate Probability, STAT 2131 Applied Statistical Methods 1, STAT 1632 Intermediate Mathematical Statistics, STAT 2132 Applied Statistical Methods 2, STAT 2000-level course
Fifth Year: Take Comprehensive Exam, STAT 2381 Supervised Statistical Consulting, two STAT electives or master’s thesis, one outside graduate-level course
Comparison of Programs
Separately, the Bachelor of Science in statistics requires 50 credits, and the Master of science in applied statistics requires 33 credits, of which 21 must be graduate level. The combined program requires 69 credits, of which 18 must be graduate level.