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BA in Statistics

Degree Program Description

Statistics is a modern science concerned with making decisions and inferences from empirical data subject to random variability and error. It deals with designing experiments, sample surveys, summarizing numerical information, building and analyzing statistical models, prediction and choosing between alternate actions. Statistics can tell us how much safer it is to fly than drive, the odds of winning the lottery, our life expectancy and who is likely to win the next election. The BA in Statistics allows students to pursue either a traditional track or an applied track. Students who are interested in graduate study are strongly encouraged to follow the traditional track. All students are encouraged to supplement their work in statistics with courses from areas such as economics, biology, accounting, finance, marketing, management, psychology, sociology, engineering, agriculture and atmospheric science. Because of its importance as a scientific method, the demand for trained statisticians has grown in education, medicine, government, business and industry as well as in the biological, social and physical sciences. Students are trained to meet this demand and develop careers in teaching and research.

Major Program Requirements

In addition to Department Degree Requirements, University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.

Mathematics courses
Traditional track
MATH 1500Analytic Geometry and Calculus I5
MATH 1700Calculus II5
MATH 2300Calculus III3
MATH 4140Matrix Theory3
Applied track
MATH 1500Analytic Geometry and Calculus I5-6
or MATH 1300
MATH 1400
Finite Mathematics
and Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I

6 additional credits in statistics (beyond those used to fulfill the statistics requirements of the degree) or approved statistically-oriented courses; must be numbered 4000 or above and may not include STAT 4050 Connecting Statistics to Middle and Secondary Schools

Statistics Courses
Traditional Track
STAT 4970WJunior/Senior Seminar - Writing Intensive3
STAT 4710Introduction to Mathematical Statistics3
or STAT 4750 Introduction to Probability Theory
15 additional credits offered by the department, at least 12 of which must be numbered 3000 or above and may not include STAT 4050: Connecting Statistics to Middle and Secondary Schools or more than 3 credits of STAT 4999: Departmental Honors in Statistics
Applied Track
STAT 4970Junior/Senior Seminar3
STAT 4710Introduction to Mathematical Statistics3
or STAT 4760 Statistical Inference
or STAT 3500 Introduction to Probability and Statistics II
21 additional credits offered by the department, at least 18 of which must be numbered 3000 or above and may not include STAT 4050: Connecting Statistics to Middle and Secondary Schools or more than 3 credits of STAT 4999: Departmental Honors in Statistics
Computing Courses
Both tracks: Select one course
CMP_SC 1300Computing with Data in Python3
or INFOTC 1040 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming
or CMP_SC 1050 Algorithm Design and Programming I

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 1160+5MATH 15005
ENGLSH 1000+3INFOTC 10403
Elective3Second Language II+4
Second Language I+4American History or Government+3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 17005MATH 23003
STAT 25003STAT 35003
Second Language III+4Behav Science Elective+3
WI Elective3Hum/Fine Arts Elective+3
 Soc Science Elective+3
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 41403STAT 45103
STAT 41103STAT 47103
Hum/Fine Arts Elective+3Behav Sci Elective+3
Soc Science Elective+3Hum/Fine Arts Elective+3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
STAT 45203STAT 47603
STAT 47503STAT 4970W+3
Hum/Fine Arts elective3Electives9
Electives6 
 15 15
Total Credits: 120
+

Course meets University General Education and/or campus requirements

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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