Data, Actuarial, and Statistical Sciences - Bachelor of Science

Data Science, Actuarial Science, and Statistics combine knowledge of concepts from statistics, computer science, and mathematics to extract meaning from data to inform evidence-based decisions. Students select a concentration in data science, actuarial science, or statistics. The three concentrations share a core of coursework in mathematics, statistics and programming. The concentration in data science focuses on methods needed for exploring, managing and analyzing complex or enormous data sets. The concentration in statistics develops skills for preparing and analyzing data in a wide variety of observational and experimental contexts. The concentration in actuarial science prepares students to pursue professional certification in the insurance and pension industries.

All STA courses and related-hours courses must be taken for grades rather than credit/no-credit. A GPA of at least 2.00 is required for the STA courses.

Students majoring in Data, Actuarial, and Statistical Sciences may not minor in Statistics or Statistical Methods, nor major in Mathematics and Statistics. Students selecting only the Actuarial Science concentration may not minor in Actuarial Science.

Program Requirements

Prerequisites for this program include Introductory Statistics, Calculus 1, and Calculus 2.

Core Courses - required for all concentrations
CSE 174Fundamentals of Problem Solving and Programming3
MTH 151Calculus I4
MTH 251Calculus II4-5
or MTH 249 Calculus II
or MTH 249H
MTH 252Calculus III4
MTH 222Introduction to Linear Algebra2-3
or MTH 222T
STA 301Applied Statistics3-4
or STA 261 Statistics
STA 363Introduction to Statistical Modeling3
STA 401Probability3
STA 402Statistical Programming3
STA 462Inferential Statistics3
STA 463Regression Analysis4
Concentration
Select one of the concentrations shown below27-29
Total Credit Hours63-68

 Concentration in Data Science

CSE 271Object-Oriented Programming3
CSE 274Data Abstraction and Data Structures3
CSE 385Database Systems3
STA 404Advanced Data Visualization3
STA 467Statistical Learning3
Select one of the following:3
STA 427
Introduction to Bayesian Statistics
STA 483
Analysis of Forecasting Systems
Select three of the following:9-10
BIO 466
Bioinformatics Computing Skills
BIO 485
Bioinformatics Principles
CSE 273
Optimization Modeling
CSE 372
Stochastic Modeling
CSE 432
Machine Learning
CSE 485
Advanced Database Systems
GEO 441
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GEO 442
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GTY/POL 491
Social Network Analysis
ISA 414
Managing Big Data
MTH 432
Optimization
MTH 435
Mathematical Modeling Seminar
MTH 438
Theory and Applications of Graphs
MTH 439
Combinatorics
STA 427
Introduction to Bayesian Statistics 1
STA 466
Experimental Design Methods
STA 483
Analysis of Forecasting Systems 1
Total Credit Hours27-28
1

A Student completing both STA 427 and STA 483 can apply one to the three elective course requirement.

Concentration in Actuarial Science

ACC 221Introduction to Financial Accounting3
ECO 201Principles of Microeconomics3
ECO 202Principles of Macroeconomics3
FIN 301Introduction to Business Finance3
MTH 247 (Math Finance for Actuaries)4
STA 467Statistical Learning3
STA 472Life Contingencies (Life Contingencies)4
STA 483Analysis of Forecasting Systems3
Select one of the following3
ECO 332
Health Economics
FIN 303
Financial Principles and Introduction to Modeling with Excel
GEO 441
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
MTH 447
Topics in Mathematical Finance
STA 404
Advanced Data Visualization
STA 475
Data Analysis Practicum
Total Credit Hours29

Concentration in Statistics (also requires a selection of Related Hours)

STA 466Experimental Design Methods4
STA 475Data Analysis Practicum3
Select two of the following:6
STA 333
Nonparametric Statistics
STA 365
Statistical Monitoring and Design of Experiments
STA 404
Advanced Data Visualization
STA 427
Introduction to Bayesian Statistics
STA 432
Sampling Design and Analysis
STA 467
Statistical Learning
STA 483
Analysis of Forecasting Systems
Select one of the following, chosen so it is not also used for the related hours requirement:3
CSE 273
Optimization Modeling
CSE 274
Data Abstraction and Data Structures
CSE 372
Stochastic Modeling
CSE 432
Machine Learning
ISA 414
Managing Big Data
MTH 432
Optimization
MTH 435
Mathematical Modeling Seminar
Related Hours 1
Select one of the lists of related hours shown below 212
Total Credit Hours28
1

The related hours requirement for the concentration in Statistics is waived for students who complete the requirements for a major, co-major, or minor outside of the Department of Statistics.

2

Related Area Hour Reduction:  Some students may want to have the flexibility to include in their program an additional elective course in mathematics or statistics. To that end, the cluster of related courses required for the concentration in statistics can be reduced by up to 3 hours (of the 6 advanced hours) by taking the same number of hours in MTH or STA (numbered 400 or higher and not a service course). This decision is made in consultation with the Chief Departmental Advisor.

Related Hours Lists for the concentration in Statistics.

Actuarial Science  (See the requirements for the Actuarial Sciences Minor also.)

ACC 221Introduction to Financial Accounting3
ECO 201Principles of Microeconomics3
ECO 202Principles of Macroeconomics3
FIN 301Introduction to Business Finance3
See the requirements for the Actuarial Sciences Minor
Total Credit Hours12

Economics 

ECO 201Principles of Microeconomics3
ECO 202Principles of Macroeconomics3
ECO 317Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory3
ECO 418Monetary Theory and Policy3
Total Credit Hours12

Computer Science and Software Engineering 

CSE 271Object-Oriented Programming3
CSE 274Data Abstraction and Data Structures3
Select one of the following:3
CSE 252
Web Application Programming
CSE 385
Database Systems
Select three hours above the 174 level3
Total Credit Hours12

Geospatial Systems 

GEO 441Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
Select three of the following:9
GEO 442
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GEO 443
Python Programming for Geospatial Applications
GEO 444
GIScience Techniques in Landscape Ecology
GEO 448
Techniques and Applications of Remote Sensing
Total Credit Hours12

Information Systems and Analytics 

ISA 235Information Technology and the Intelligent Enterprise3
ISA 345Database Systems and Data Warehousing3
ISA 401Business Intelligence and Data Visualization3
ISA 414Managing Big Data3
Total Credit Hours12

Operations Research

CSE 273Optimization Modeling3
CSE 372Stochastic Modeling3
Select two of the following:6
MTH 432
Optimization
MTH 435
Mathematical Modeling Seminar
MTH 437
Game Theory and Related Topics
MTH 438
Theory and Applications of Graphs
MTH 439
Combinatorics
Total Credit Hours12

Other

Create a related area 112
Total Credit Hours12
1

12 or more credit hours in any area, with at least 6 of the hours numbered 300 or higher (200 or higher in Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or Computer Science and Software Engineering).  Such program must be approved by the Chief Departmental Adviser in advance of applying for graduation.