Statistics Major
The department offers a bachelor of science (BSc) program in statistics within the Faculty of Science.
The program maintains a committee of advisors whose office hours are available at . Students should seek program planning advice early in their academic careers.
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements
Students may be admitted by direct entry on their university application, or by application to the Department of Statistics, after they have been admitted.
Visit to view admission requirements.
Courses for Further Credit
No student may complete, for further credit, any course offered by the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science that is a prerequisite for a course that the student has already completed with a grade of C- or higher without permission of the department.
Computing Recommendation
Experience with a high level programming language is recommended by the start of the second year.
Prerequisite Grade Requirement
Students must have a grade of C- or better in prerequisites for STAT courses.
GPA Required for Continuation
To continue in the program, students must maintain at least a 2.25 grade point average in MATH, STAT, MACM and ACMA courses (excluding ACMA 210 if doing so results in a higher GPA).
Graduation Grade Point Averages
See required GPA for graduation from the Statistics major program.
Credit for Statistics Courses
There are three kinds of courses:
- Introductory course (STAT 100)
- Service courses (STAT 101, 201, 203, 302, 305, 403)
- Mainstream courses (STAT 240, 270, 285, 300W, 330, 341, 342, 350, 380, 410, 430, 440, 445, 450, 452, 460, 475, 485)
Accreditation of Courses
The Statistical Society of Canada has accredited certain courses within the department for partial fulfillment of the educational requirements for the associate statistician (AStat) designation. The list of accredited courses is available at . Please contact the department for details. Further information on the professional statistician (PStat) and associate statistician (AStat) designations is available at .
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, including the lower division, upper division, and additional upper division requirements specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete the following courses:
One of*
A programming course which will provide the science student with a working knowledge of a scientific programming language and an introduction to computing concepts, structured programming, and modular design. The student will also gain knowledge in the use of programming environments including the use of numerical algorithm packages. Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155 (or 158). Students with credit for CMPT 120, 128, 130 or 166 may not take this course for further credit. Students who have taken CMPT 125, 129 or 135 first may not then take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
An elementary introduction to computing science and computer programming, suitable for students with little or no programming background. Students will learn fundamental concepts and terminology of computing science, acquire elementary skills for programming in a high-level language and be exposed to diverse fields within, and applications of computing science. Topics will include: pseudocode, data types and control structures, fundamental algorithms, computability and complexity, computer architecture, and history of computing science. Treatment is informal and programming is presented as a problem-solving tool. Prerequisite: BC Math 12 or equivalent is recommended. Students with credit for CMPT 102, 128, 130 or 166 may not take this course for further credit. Students who have taken CMPT 125, 129, 130 or 135 first may not then take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Anne Lavergne |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and one of*
A rigorous introduction to computing science and computer programming, suitable for students who already have some background in computing science and programming. Intended for students who will major in computing science or a related program. Topics include: fundamental algorithms; elements of empirical and theoretical algorithmics; abstract data types and elementary data structures; basic object-oriented programming and software design; computation and computability; specification and program correctness; and history of computing science. Prerequisite: CMPT 120. Corequisite: CMPT 127. Students with credit for CMPT 126, 129, 135 or CMPT 200 or higher may not take for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Bobby Chan |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
A second course in computing science and programming intended for students studying mathematics, statistics or actuarial science and suitable for students who already have some background in computing science and programming. Topics include: a review of the basic elements of programming: use and implementation of elementary data structures and algorithms; fundamental algorithms and problem solving; basic object-oriented programming and software design; computation and computabiiity and specification and program correctness. Prerequisite: CMPT 102 or CMPT 120. Students with credit for CMPT 125 or 135 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
and one of
Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Topics as for Math 151 with a more extensive review of functions, their properties and their graphs. Recommended for students with no previous knowledge of Calculus. In addition to regularly scheduled lectures, students enrolled in this course are encouraged to come for assistance to the Calculus Workshop (Burnaby), or Math Open Lab (Surrey). Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B+, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B-, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 151, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 150 for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
||
OP01 | TBD |
Designed for students specializing in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing science and engineering. Logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, inverse functions. Limits, continuity, and derivatives. Techniques of differentiation, including logarithmic and implicit differentiation. The Mean Value Theorem. Applications of differentiation including extrema, curve sketching, Newton's method. Introduction to modeling with differential equations. Polar coordinates, parametric curves. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least A, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least B, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 154 or 157 may not take MATH 151 for further credit. Quantitative.
Designed for students specializing in the biological and medical sciences. Topics include: limits, growth rate and the derivative; elementary functions, optimization and approximation methods, and their applications; mathematical models of biological processes. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 157 may not take MATH 154 for further credit. Quantitative.
Designed for students specializing in business or the social sciences. Topics include: limits, growth rate and the derivative; logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions and their application to business, economics, optimization and approximation methods; introduction to functions of several variables with emphasis on partial derivatives and extrema. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C, or achieving a satisfactory grade on the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calculus Readiness Test. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 154 may not take MATH 157 for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Randall Pyke |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP01 | TBD |
and one of
Riemann sum, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, definite, indefinite and improper integrals, approximate integration, integration techniques, applications of integration. First-order separable differential equations and growth models. Sequences and series, series tests, power series, convergence and applications of power series. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MATH 154 or 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 155 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Vijay Singh |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP01 | TBD |
Designed for students specializing in the biological and medical sciences. Topics include: the integral, partial derivatives, differential equations, linear systems, and their applications; mathematical models of biological processes. Prerequisite: MATH 150, 151 or 154; or MATH 157 with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 152 or 158 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
||
OPO1 | TBD |
Designed for students specializing in business or the social sciences. Topics include: theory of integration, integration techniques, applications of integration; functions of several variables with emphasis on double and triple integrals and their applications; introduction to differential equations with emphasis on some special first-order equations and their applications; sequences and series. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151 or 154 or 157. Students with credit for MATH 152 or 155 may not take MATH 158 for further credit. Quantitative.
and
A seminar primarily for students undertaking a major or an honours program in Statistics. Visiting speakers share experience relevant to Statistics students and provide useful education and career advice. Prerequisite: Enrollment, or intended enrollment, in the Statistics or Actuarial Science major or honours programs, or STAT 270, or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for MSSC 180 or DATA 180 may not take this course for further credit.
and one of
Linear equations, matrices, determinants. Introduction to vector spaces and linear transformations and bases. Complex numbers. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalization. Inner products and orthogonality; least squares problems. An emphasis on applications involving matrix and vector calculations. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MACM 101; or MATH 154 or 157, both with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 240 make not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Randall Pyke |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, Wed, Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
OP01 | TBD |
Linear equations, matrices, determinants. Real and abstract vector spaces, subspaces and linear transformations; basis and change of basis. Complex numbers. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalization. Inner products and orthogonality; least squares problems. Applications. Subject is presented with an abstract emphasis and includes proofs of the basic theorems. Prerequisite: MATH 150 or 151; or MACM 101; or MATH 154 or 157, both with a grade of at least B. Students with credit for MATH 232 cannot take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ralf Wittenberg |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
OPO1 | TBD |
and all of
Rectangular, cylindrical and spherical coordinates. Vectors, lines, planes, cylinders, quadric surfaces. Vector functions, curves, motion in space. Differential and integral calculus of several variables. Vector fields, line integrals, fundamental theorem for line integrals, Green's theorem. Prerequisite: MATH 152; or MATH 155 or MATH 158 with a grade of at least B. Recommended: It is recommended that MATH 240 or 232 be taken before or concurrently with MATH 251. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ralf Wittenberg |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP01 | TBD |
Introduction to modern tools and methods for data acquisition, management, and visualization capable of scaling to Big Data. Prerequisite: Any STAT course (except STAT 100) or BUEC 232, and one of CMPT 102, CMPT 120, CMPT 125, CMPT 128, CMPT 129, CMPT 130, or permission of the instructor. Quantitative.
Basic laws of probability, sample distributions. Introduction to statistical inference and applications. Prerequisite: or Corequisite: MATH 152 or 155 or 158. Students wishing an intuitive appreciation of a broad range of statistical strategies may wish to take STAT 100 first. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
Tim Swartz |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
OP01 | TBD |
This course is a continuation of STAT 270. Review of probability models. Procedures for statistical inference using survey results and experimental data. Statistical model building. Elementary design of experiments. Regression methods. Introduction to categorical data analysis. Prerequisite: STAT 270. Quantitative.
* Students are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement in their first year.
** Recommended. Students with prior computing experience may be able to challenge CMPT 120.
*** CMPT 127 is a corequisite.
**** Recommended.
Upper Division Requirements
List A: STAT 380, STAT 390, STAT 410, STAT 430, STAT 440, STAT 450, STAT 460, STAT 490, STAT 495
Students complete all of
Review of probability and distributions. Multivariate distributions. Distributions of functions of random variables. Limiting distributions. Inference. Sufficient statistics for the exponential family. Maximum likelihood. Bayes estimation, Fisher information, limiting distributions of MLEs. Likelihood ratio tests. Prerequisite: STAT 285, MATH 251, and one of MATH 232 or MATH 240. Quantitative.
Introduces the R statistical package. Data management; reading, editing and storing statistical data; data exploration and representation; summarizing data with tables, graphs and other statistical tools; and data simulation. Prerequisite: STAT 285 or STAT 302 or STAT 305 or BUEC 333 or equivalent. Students with credit for STAT 340 may not take STAT 341 for further credit.
Introduces the SAS statistical package. Data management; reading, editing and storing statistical data; data exploration and representation; summarizing data with tables, graphs and other statistical tools; and data simulation. Prerequisite: STAT 285 or STAT 302 or STAT 305 or BUEC 333. Students with credit for STAT 340 may not take STAT 342 for further credit.
Theory and application of linear regression. Normal distribution theory. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Model selection. Model diagnostics. Introduction to weighted least squares and generalized linear models. Prerequisite: STAT 285, MATH 251, and one of MATH 232 or MATH 240. Quantitative.
and 12 units in upper division STAT courses (including a minimum of two courses on List A, and excluding STAT 302, STAT 305, and STAT 403)
and 9 units in additional upper division ACMA, MACM, MATH or STAT courses (excluding STAT 302, STAT 305, STAT 403). Upper division STAT courses and MACM 316 are recommended.
For students who wish to seek accreditation with the Statistical Society of Canada, STAT 450 and at least one of STAT 410 or STAT 430 are recommended.
Additional Upper Division Requirements
Students must complete 13 additional upper division units to satisfy university requirements. Any upper division courses other than STAT 302, STAT 305, or STAT 403 may be used to complete these units.
University Degree Requirements
Students must also satisfy University degree requirements for degree completion.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.