Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Major in Statistics

The curriculum in liberal arts and sciences with a major in statistics is designed to prepare students for (1) statistics positions in business, industry or commerce, nonprofit institutions, and in state or federal government; and (2) graduate study in statistics. Positions include the following types of work: statistical design, data visualization, analysis and interpretation of experiments and surveys; data processing and analysis using modern computation facilities and statistical computing systems; application of statistical principles and methods in commercial areas such as finance, insurance, industrial research, technology, marketing, manufacturing, sports analytics, quality control, and nonprofit organizations, such as institutions involved in health care or medical research.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the undergraduate degree in statistics should have a broad understanding of the discipline of statistics. Upon graduation, students should be able to:

• design observational studies and experiments in order to efficiently collect data to help answer questions about science, technology, and society.
• analyze data arising from observational studies and experiments in order to help answer questions about the world around them.
• use modern statistical computing to aid in the collection and analysis of data.
• explain and apply the mathematical and theoretical basis for probability and statistical inference to help answer questions about the world around them.
• effectively communicate statistical findings using oral, visual and written formats.
• effectively respond to ethical issues associated with data collection, data analysis, and communication of statistical findings.

Requirements for B.S. in Statistics*

• University Requirements
• LAS Requirements
• Major Requirements
• Complementary Course Requirements

University Requirements

• Communication Proficiency 
  • ENGL 1500 - Critical Thinking and Communication
  • ENGL 2500 - Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition
  • ENGL 3020 - Business Communication or ENGL 3140 - Technical Communication
• 3 credits from approved list in U.S. Cultures and Communities
• 3 credits from approved list in International Perspectives
• LIB 1600 - Introduction to College Level Research
• Earn a minimum of 120 credits
• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.0/4.0

LAS Requirements

• 12 credits from approved list in Arts and Humanities
• 8 credits from approved list in Natural Sciences
• 9 credits from approved list in Social Sciences
• World Language Requirement
• LAS 2030 - Professional Career Preparation
• Earn at least 45 credits at the 3000 level or above taken at a four-year college
• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.0/4.0 in courses for the major
• Earn a minimum of 8 credits in courses taken in the major numbered 3000 or above with a grade of C or higher at Iowa State University.

Major Requirements

• STAT 2010 - Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods 
  • (Students with credit in an introductory statistics course should consult with their academic advisor on whether their credit meets the STAT 2010 requirement.)
• STAT 3010 - Intermediate Statistical Concepts and Methods or STAT 3260 - Introduction to Business Statistics II
  • (Most students will complete STAT 3010)
• STAT 3410 - Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics I
• STAT 3420 - Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics II
• STAT 4710 - Introduction to Experimental Design
• STAT 4750 - Introduction to Multivariate Data Analysis
• STAT 4840 - Computer Processing of Scientific Data
• STAT 4860 - Introduction to Statistical Computing
• At least 6 credits from the list of Elective courses in Statistics:
  • STAT 3610 - Statistical Quality Assurance
  • STAT 4720 - Introduction to Time Series
  • STAT 4730 - Introduction to Survey Sampling
  • STAT 4740 - Introduction to Bayesian Data Analysis
  • STAT 4760 - Introduction to Spatial Data Analysis
  • STAT 4770 - Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis
  • STAT 4780 - Introduction to Stochastic Process Models
  • STAT 4820 - Regression for Social and Behavioral Research
  • STAT 4830 - Empirical Methods for the Computational Sciences

Complementary Course Requirements

• MATH 1650 - Calculus I
• MATH 1660 - Calculus II or MATH 1660H - Calculus II, Honors
• MATH 2650 - Calculus III or MATH 2650H - Calculus III, Honors
• MATH 2070 - Matrices and Linear Algebra or MATH 3170 - Theory of Linear Algebra
• COMS 1270 - Introduction to Computer Programming or COMS 2070 - Fundamentals of Computer Programming or COMS 2270 - Object-Oriented Programming
• COMST 2110 - Interpersonal Communication or SPCM 2120 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking

Given the application of statistical work to a broad range of fields, students majoring in statistics often obtain at least a minor in a field of application, such as:

• Actuarial Science
• Data Science
• Economics
• General Business
• Mathematics

Your academic advisor can assist you in developing your program of study including other majors, minors, or certificates.

*Any discrepancy between in the requirements listed on this website and in the Course Catalog will be resolved using the Course Catalog.