College of Arts & Sciences

Statistics and Data Science

120

Total hours

29

Hours of major courses

$103,500

Median salary for Data Scientists

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022

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Available beginning Fall 2024, the Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Data Science (SDS) is a four-year degree that provides students with foundational training and marketable skills in statistics and data science. The innovative curriculum is designed to equip students to execute all stages of a data analysis, from data acquisition and exploration to application of statistics and machine learning methods to the creation of data products (e.g., written reports, dashboards, presentations). The program prepares students to enter the workforce directly, or with our specialization in Statistical Theory, as strong candidates for graduate school in statistics. More generally, all students will be well-prepared for roles in other data-driven fields.

Careers

Grow Your Future

Career opportunities for Statistics and Data Science majors are numerous and varied. Employers value SDS majors for their high critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. 

Career opportunities in Statistics and Data Science:

  • Actuary
  • Biostatistician
  • Business analyst
  • Business intelligence analyst
  • Chief information officer
  • Data architect
  • Data mining analyst
  • Data modeler
  • Data scientist
  • Data visualization developer
  • Data warehouse analyst
  • Database administrator, developer, or manager
  • Financial analyst
  • Machine learning engineer
  • Market research analyst
  • Statistician

Classes & Requirements

What You'll Study


Graduation Requirements

Any student earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree must complete a minimum of 60 hours in biological, physical, mathematical and/or computer sciences. See the complete description of College requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in the Arts and Sciences section of the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog.

UK Core Requirements

  • The Nature of Inquiry in Arts and Creativity (3 hours)
  • The Nature of Inquiry in the Humanities (3 hours)
  • The Nature of Inquiry in the Social Sciences (3 hours)
  • The nature of Inquiry in the Natural, Physical and Mathematical Sciences (3 hours)
  • Composition and Communication I (3 hours)
  • Composition and Communication II (3 hours)
  • Quantitative Foundations (3 hours)
  • Statistical and Inferential Reasoning (3 hours)
  • Community, Culture and Citizenship in the USA (3 hours)
  • Global Dynamics (3 hours)

Total Credit Hours - 30


Pre-Major Courses (8 hours)

MA 113: Calculus I or MA 137: Calculus I with Life Science Applications [4 hours]

MA 114: Calculus II or MA 138: Calculus II with Life Science Applications [4 hours]

The Statistics and Data Science major consists of a total of 41 credit hours not including prerequisites or pre-major courses. Students must attain a grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all major requirements courses (including all pre-major courses).

Major Core Requirements (16 hours)

STA 296: Statistical Methods and Motivations [3 hours]

STA 305: Introduction to Data Science [4 hours]

STA 310: Introduction to Probability and Inference [3 hours]

STA 315: Applied Statistical Modeling and Experimental Design [3 hours]

MA 322: Matrix Algebra [3 hours]

Other Courses Required for Major - From the Major Department (13 hours)

STA 300: Data Visualization [3 hours]

STA 415: Predictive Modeling and Introductory Machine Learning [4 hours]

STA 425: Computational Bayesian Statistics [3 hours]

STA 495: Statistics and Data Science in Context: A Practicum [3 hours]

Specialization Through Other Coursework Required for Major - From Outside the Major Department (12 hours)

In addition to the core courses, students the option to further specialize their training in statistics and data science. Twelve (or more) credit hours must be proposed by the student and approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. This flexible specialization will allow students from a variety of backgrounds to complete the major with an approved specialty of their choosing and will make it easier for students to double major.

BS Four Year Plan

Imagine Your Future

Statisticians

Statisticians use statistical methods to collect and analyze data and to help solve real-world problems in business, engineering, healthcare, or other fields.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.

Median Salary

$79,990

per year in 2023

Number of Jobs

30,000

in 2023

10 Year Job Outlook

10,100

new jobs (average)

Work Environment

About a third of statisticians work for the federal government or for scientific research and development companies. Although statisticians work mostly in offices, they may travel to collect data or to oversee a survey’s design or implementation.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Similar Occupations

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

  • Actuaries
  • Computer Systems Analysts
  • Economists
  • Financial Analysts
  • Market Research Analysts
  • Mathematicians
  • Operations Research Analysts
  • Survey Researchers

Imagine Your Future

Data Scientists

Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.

Median Salary

$108,020

per year in 2023

Number of Jobs

168,900

in 2023

10 Year Job Outlook

59,400

new jobs (average)

Work Environment

Data scientists spend much of their time in an office setting. Most work full time.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Read More

Imagine Your Future

Actuaries

Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to analyze the economic costs of risk and uncertainty.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.

Median Salary

$120,000

per year in 2023

Number of Jobs

30,000

in 2023

10 Year Job Outlook

7,000

new jobs (average)

Work Environment

Most actuaries work for insurance companies. Although most work full time in an office setting, some actuaries who work as consultants travel to meet with clients.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Read More