Statistics (BS): Data Science Concentration
The Bachelor of Science in Statistics curriculum provides foundational training for careers in statistics and data science, and also prepares students for graduate study in statistics or related fields such as analytics. The Data Science Concentration adds to that strong foundation with courses designed to prepare graduates for careers in the rapidly evolving Data Science sector. While our curriculum is centered on statistics, mathematics, and computer programming, it is also designed to have a flexible interdisciplinary flavor. Each statistics major works with their advisor to formulate an individualized plan for the use of "Advised Electives鈥� that typically leads to a minor or second major in fields including business and finance, agriculture and life sciences, computer science, industrial engineering, or the social sciences.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation a | 0 | |
| 颁翱厂听100 | Science of Change (verify requirement) a | 0 |
| Communication & Advanced Writing | ||
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research b | 4 |
| Select one of the following Communications courses: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Argumentation and Advocacy | ||
| Select one of the following Advanced Writing courses: | 3 | |
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | ||
| Communication for Business and Management | ||
| Communication for Science and Research | ||
| Mathematics b, c | ||
| 惭础听141 | Calculus I | 4 |
| 惭础听241 | Calculus II | 4 |
| 惭础听242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| 惭础听305 | Introduction to Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 |
| 辞谤听惭础听405 | Advanced Linear Algebra | |
| Data Science and Statistical Computing b, c | ||
| 厂罢听115 | Introduction to a Data Science Toolkit with R and GitHub | 3 |
| 厂罢听215 | Data Management and Statistical Programming in SAS | 3 |
| 厂罢听216 | Modern Statistical Computing with Python | 3 |
| 笔贬滨听227 | Data Ethics | 3 |
| 顿厂础听202 | Introduction to Data Visualization | 1 |
| 顿厂础听405 | Data Wrangling and Web Scraping | 1 |
| Introduction to Data Science: Select one of the following | 3 | |
| Mathematical Foundations of Data Science I | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Statistical Data Science Electives. Select two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Intermediate SAS Programming with Applications | ||
| Statistical Learning and Data Analytics | ||
| Advanced Computing for Statistical Reasoning | ||
| General Data Science Electives. Select 2 credits of DSA courses at any level from the approved list. | 2 | |
| Advanced Data Science Electives. Select 2 credits of DSA courses at the 400 level. | 2 | |
| Statistics b, c | ||
| 厂罢听120 | Fundamentals of Statistical Inference | 4 |
| 厂罢听121 | Introduction to Probability and Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| 厂罢听220 | Intermediate Statistical Methods | 3 |
| 厂罢听240 | Principles of Data Collection | 3 |
| 厂罢听323 | Linear Models | 4 |
| 厂罢听421 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I | 3 |
| 厂罢听422 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II | 3 |
| Select one of the following 3-credit courses in Survey Sampling or Experimental Design. | 3 | |
| Introduction to Experimental Design | ||
| Introduction to Survey Sampling | ||
| Advanced Statistics Electives b, c, e | 3 | |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 11 | |
Selected courses must include (i) at least two laboratory classes and (ii) at least three 3- or 4-credit courses. | ||
| GEP Courses | ||
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 5 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives d | ||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- a
The orientation requirement is typically satisfied by a first-year course taught in the student's original NCSU major. For students entering as Freshmen Statistics majors that course is COS 100, and those 2 credits will appear in the GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives slot of their degree audit. Students transferring from another college or university will have this requirement waived.
- b
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- c
A grade of D- or better can be used in one course to meet degree requirements of the Mathematics, Data Science & Statistical Computing, or Statistics sections of the degree audit. However, grades of C- or better are required for ST 115, ST 120, ST 121, MA 141, MA 241, and MA 305
- d
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
- e
No more than 6 total credits from ST 497, ST 498, ST 499 may be used as Advanced Statistics Electives. If a student takes ST 497, ST 498, or ST 499 for less than 3 credits, that course may not be used for Advanced Statistics Elective credit. (e.g., a student may not take ST 499 for 1 credit three times and apply those 3 credits to Advanced Statistics Electives.) In addition, please note that ST 497 can only be taken one time.
Advanced Statistics Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 厂罢听404 | Epidemiology and Statistics in Global Public Health | 3 |
| 厂罢听405 | Applied Nonparametric Statistics | 3 |
| 厂罢听412 | Long-Term Actuarial Models | 3 |
| 厂罢听413 | Short-Term Actuarial Models | 3 |
| 厂罢听420 | 3 | |
| 厂罢听431 | Introduction to Experimental Design | 3 |
| 厂罢听432 | Introduction to Survey Sampling | 3 |
| 厂罢听433 | Applied Spatial Statistics | 3 |
| 厂罢听434 | Applied Time Series | 3 |
| 厂罢听435 | Statistical Methods for Quality and Productivity Improvement | 3 |
| 厂罢听437 | Applied Multivariate and Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
| 厂罢听440 | Applied Bayesian Analysis | 3 |
| 厂罢听442 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
| 厂罢听445 | Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management | 3 |
| 厂罢听446 | Intermediate SAS Programming with Applications | 3 |
| 厂罢听451 | Sports Analytics | 3 |
| 厂罢听452 | Statistical Learning and Data Analytics | 3 |
| 厂罢听453 | Advanced Computing for Statistical Reasoning | 3 |
| 厂罢听491 | Statistics in Practice | 3 |
| 厂罢听495 | Special Topics in Statistics | 1-6 |
| 厂罢听497 | Professional Experience in Statistics | 1-3 |
| 厂罢听498 | Independent Study In Statistics | 1-6 |
| 厂罢听499 | Research Experience in Statistics | 1-3 |
General Data Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 顿厂础听205 | Data Communication | 1 |
| 顿厂础听220 | Introduction to AI Ethics | 1 |
| 顿厂础听225 | Data Science for Social Good | 1 |
| 顿厂础听235 | Introduction to Data Science for Cybersecurity | 1 |
| 顿厂础听240 | Measuring Success | 1 |
| 顿厂础听295 | Introductory Special Topics in Data Science | 1-3 |
| 顿厂础听406 | Exploratory Data Analysis for Big Data | 1 |
| 顿厂础听410 | Data Internship Preparation for Social Impact | 1 |
| 顿厂础听412 | Exploring Machine Learning | 1 |
| 顿厂础听495 | Special Topics in Data Science | 1-3 |
| 顿厂础听595 | Graduate Special Topics in Data Science | 1-3 |
Advanced Data Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 顿厂础听406 | Exploratory Data Analysis for Big Data | 1 |
| 顿厂础听410 | Data Internship Preparation for Social Impact | 1 |
| 顿厂础听412 | Exploring Machine Learning | 1 |
| 顿厂础听435 | Predictive Analytics for Improving Services | 1 |
| 顿厂础听440 | Introduction to APACHE Spark Using Big Datasets | 1 |
| 顿厂础听495 | Special Topics in Data Science | 1-3 |
| 顿厂础听595 | Graduate Special Topics in Data Science | 1-3 |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 颁翱厂听100 or 贰听115 | Science of Change a or Introduction to Computing Environments | 2 |
| 惭础听141 | Calculus I (CP) b, c | 4 |
| 厂罢听115 | Introduction to a Data Science Toolkit with R and GitHub b, c | 3 |
| 厂罢听120 | Fundamentals of Statistical Inference b, c | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research b | 4 |
| 惭础听241 | Calculus II (CP) b, c | 4 |
| 厂罢听121 | Introduction to Probability and Mathematical Statistics b, c | 3 |
| 笔贬滨听227 | Data Ethics | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 惭础听242 | Calculus III (CP) b, c | 4 |
| 惭础听305 | Introduction to Linear Algebra and Matrices b, c | 3 |
| 厂罢听215 | Data Management and Statistical Programming in SAS b, c | 3 |
| 顿厂础听202 | Introduction to Data Visualization b, c | 1 |
| 顿厂础听405 | Data Wrangling and Web Scraping b, c | 1 |
| General Data Science Elective b, c | 1 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 厂罢听220 | Intermediate Statistical Methods b, c | 3 |
| 厂罢听240 | Principles of Data Collection b, c | 3 |
| 厂罢听216 | Modern Statistical Computing with Python b, c | 3 |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 4 | |
| Communications Elective: 颁翱惭听110, 112, or 211 | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 厂罢听323 | Linear Models b, c | 4 |
| 厂罢听421 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I (CP) b, c | 3 |
| Introduction to Data Science: 厂罢听442, 颁厂颁听442, or 惭础听326 b, c | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 13 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 厂罢听422 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II (CP) b, c | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Statistical Data Science Elective b, c | 3 | |
| General Data Science Elective b, c | 1 | |
| Advanced Data Science Electives b, c | 2 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Statistical Data Science Elective b, c | 3 | |
| Technical Writing Elective: 贰狈骋听331, 332, or 333 | 3 | |
| Free Elective d | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 4 | |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Survey Sampling/Experimental Design Elective: 厂罢听431 or 厂罢听432 b, c | 3 | |
| Advanced Statistics Elective b, c, e | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Free Elective d | 3 | |
| Free Elective d | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| 听 | Total Hours | 120 |
- a
The orientation requirement is typically satisfied by a first-year course taught in the student's original NCSU major. For students entering as Freshmen Statistics majors that course is COS 100, and those 2 credits will appear in the GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives slot of their degree audit.听Students transferring from another college or university will have this requirement waived.
- b
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- c
A grade of D- or better can be used in one course to meet degree requirements of the Mathematics, Computer Programming & Statistical Computing, or Statistics sections of the degree audit. However, grades of C- or better are required for ST 115, ST 120, ST 121, MA 141, MA 241, and MA 305.
- d
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
- e
No more than 6 total credits from ST 497, ST 498, ST 499 may be used as Advanced Statistics Electives. If a student takes ST 497, ST 498, or ST 499 for less than 3 credits, that course may not be used for Advanced Statistics Elective credit. (e.g., a student may not take ST 499 for 1 credit three times and apply those 3 credits to Advanced Statistics Electives.) In addition, please note that ST 497 can only be taken one time.
Career Opportunities
The importance of sound statistical thinking in the design and analysis of quantitative studies is reflected in the abundance of job opportunities for statisticians. Because one can improve the efficiency and use of increasingly complex and expensive experimental and survey data, statisticians are in demand wherever quantitative studies are conducted.听Statisticians are highly valued members of teams working in such diverse fields as biomedical science, global public health, weather prediction, environmental monitoring, political polling, crop and livestock management, and financial forecasting. Statistics is at the core of Data Science and Analytics, and our department provides an outstanding environment to prepare for careers in these areas. In addition to finding exciting careers in industry and government, our graduates are also very successful moving on to graduate programs in statistics and related fields at top universities around the globe.
Career Titles
- Actuary
- Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineer
- Aerospace Engineering Technician
- Air Traffic Controller
- Astronomer
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist
- Bank and Branch Managers
- Biopsychologist
- Budget Analyst
- Buyer
- Compensation Administrator
- Computer and Information Scientists
- Computer Programmer
- Database Administrator
- Financial Aid Counselor
- Financial Analyst
- Government Budget Analyst
- High School Teacher
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Math Professor
- Mathematical Technician
- Mathematician
- Meteorologist
- Middle School Teacher
- Operations Research Analyst
- Physicist
- Psychometrist
- Purchasing Manager
- Securities and Commodities Sales Agent
- Social Science Research Assistants
- Statistical Assistants
- Statistician
- Technical Publications Writer
Learn More About Careers
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