Statistics Major Frequently Asked Questions
- If I took the AP Exam, A-Levels, IB or courses at another college, can I waive out of the pre-major Math requirements?
- How do I know if any transfer courses I have taken can be used for the major?
- How do I choose an Applied Cluster?
- Is there a list of courses from which I can select Applied Cluster Courses?
- Which courses should I take if I am interested in...a Graduate Program in Statistics?...an Actuarial Career?...an MBA program?
- Can I take graduate courses to satisfy upper division Statistics requirements?
- Is there a deadline to declare?
- How to I graduate with Honors in the major?
- What do Statistics majors do after they graduate?
- How do I get involved in undergraduate research?
- If I took the AP Exam, A-Levels, IB or courses at another college, can I waive out of the pre-major Math requirements?
The Statistics Department defers to the Mathematics Department’s evaluation of course equivalence to the pre-major requirements. Here are currently established standards:
a) AP Credit. If you received a score of 3 or higher on the AP Calculus AB Exam, or a score of 3 or 4 on the AP Calculus BC Exam, then Math 1A requirement is waived. If you received a 5 on the AP Calculus BC Exam, both the Math 1A and Math 1B requirements are waived. You will still need to take Math 53 and Math 54.
b)Transfer Credit, A-Levels, and IB. Students who took courses at a California community college can determine whether those courses are equivalent to UC Berkeley courses using the Assist.org tool. A-Level Mathematics, Further Mathematics , the International Baccalaureate (IB) and courses taken at another 4-year institution or a community college outside of California need to be evaluated by the UC Berkeley Mathematics Department (970 Evans Hall). Bring the completed evaluation(s) with you when you are ready to declare the major. Students lacking partial material of any of the lower division prerequisites should see the Mathematics Department to discuss completing Mathematics 49. For example, students who have taken the Math 16A-B series may fulfill the equivalent of Math 1B by arranging to take Mathematics 49 to learn the material missed in 16B. Similarly, students lacking the material on linear algebra in Mathematics 54 can obtain this material by enrolling in Mathematics 49 and attending the portion of Math 54 on Linear Algebra. Pick up information sheet from the Mathematics Department, 970 Evans. - How do I know if any transfer courses I have taken can be used for the major?
a) Prerequisite Math Courses. See Transfer Credit, A-Levels, and IB above.
b) Upper Division Statistics Courses. The Statistics Department Undergraduate Faculty Advisor can evaluate upper division non-UC Berkeley coursework for equivalency. Submit an Evaluation of Non-UC Berkeley Course request form (obtain in 367 Evans or on the Statistics Undergraduate Advising website) along with supporting material, such as a course description, syllabus, and textbook information. The Undergraduate Faculty Advisor can also approve use of upper division transfer courses to fulfill any upper division major requirements (15x-level and cluster courses). Three-unit courses that last a trimester or quarter are not equivalent to any Berkeley course. - How do I choose an Applied Cluster?
The applied cluster is a chance to learn about areas in which Statistics can be applied, and to learn specialized techniques not taught in the Statistics Department. You need to design your own Applied Cluster. Your cluster may consist of courses from more than one department, but your choices should reflect a theme, so that you study some area of application in breadth and depth. Picking your own applied cluster is a valuable exercise that gives you a chance to explore and refine your interests and to develop a coherent course of study. Cluster courses should meet the following criteria:
Generally,
a. Courses must be upper division courses and at least 3 units.
b. Courses in the biological and physical sciences, Chemistry and Engineering are often acceptable.
c. Courses in social sciences must be quantitative.
d. Courses with statistics prerequisites are often acceptable.
e. Courses that are similar to courses offered in the Statistics department are not acceptable.
f. Courses that primarily teach how to use a particular software package are not acceptable. Courses that focus on the use of spreadsheet software (e.g. UGBA 104) are not acceptable.
g. Courses should be taken in the “home” department. For instance, economics classes should be taken in the economics or business department.
h. Seminars and Special topics courses require approval by the Undergraduate Faculty Advisor.
Once you have made your selection, you will need to list the cluster on your Statistics Application before you declare. You may change your cluster at any time as long as the courses are all approved.
TOP ^ - Is there a list of courses from which I can select Applied Cluster Courses?
Yes, the Undergraduate Faculty Advisor has approved select courses (See APPROVED CLUSTER COURSES for the Statistics Major or download handout here). Any three of the courses on the list may be used as a cluster. Please note that the list is NOT exhaustive. If you would like to use a course that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (3), above, and is not on the approved list, the Undergraduate Major Faculty Advisor must approve it (email Philip Stark at stark@stat.berkeley.edu). - Which courses should I take if I am interested in...
a)... entering a GRADUATE PROGRAM in Statistics?
Students who are considering graduate school in Statistics should consider a Math cluster
Essential: Math 104 or H104, Math 110 or H110
Helpful: Math 105
Useful depending on your interests: Math 118, 128A/B, 170, 172, 185/H185
b)... an ACTUARIAL CAREER?
Students preparing for actuarial careers might consider taking Stat 151A, either 150 or 152, and 153.
The Society of Actuaries allows Stat 135 or Stat 200B, and either Stat 153 or Stat 248 to be counted towards Validation by Educational Experience (VEE). Suggested VEE-approved courses for the applied cluster are Econ 101A, Econ 101B, UGBA 103, and UGBA 131.
Demog 110 and Demog C175 are also appropriate cluster courses for students interested in actuarial careers. However, these courses are not currently approved for VEE.
c) … MBA programs?
Students interested in MBA programs are encouraged to take Business or Economics courses for their cluster, and to take Statistics 151A, 153 and either 152 or 155.
TOP ^ - Can I take graduate courses to satisfy upper division Statistics requirements?
Yes, you may take graduate courses in statistics to satisfy your upper division requirements. 200A, 200B, 278B, and other seminar courses may not be substituted for 15x-level courses. Taking any graduate course requires the consent of the instructor.
With the instructor's consent:
- 200A, C205A or C205B may be substituted for 134.
- 200B, 210A or 210B may be substituted for 135.
- C206A or C206B may be substituted for 150.
- 230A or 215A may be substituted for 151A.
- 215B may be substituted for 151B.
- 232 may be substituted for 152.
- C239A may be used in lieu of a 15x class.
- 240 may be used in lieu of a 15x class.
- C241A or C241B may be substituted for 151B.
- 243 or 244 may be substituted for 133.
- C245A, B, C, E, or F may be substituted for 151B.
- 248 may be substituted for 153.
- 251 may be used in lieu of a 15x class.
- C261 may be used in lieu of a 15x class.
- Is there a deadline to declare?
No, you may declare the Statistics major as long has you have completed the lower division pre-major requirements. However, the College of Letters & Science has policies relating to units caps and may not approve Statistics as a second major if successful completion of the major is not feasible within the allowed timeframe. It is advisable to declare as early as possible so we can track your progress and ensure that your applied cluster courses are approved before you take them. Additionally, declared students receive priority when registering for upper division Statistics courses. Students may generally declare on a rolling basis, except during the first 3 weeks of the fall and spring semester. - How to I graduate with Honors in the major?
To be eligible for honors you must have a 3.3 GPA or higher in the major, in upper division major courses, and overall. You must enroll in Statistics H195 and write a satisfactory thesis under the direction of a Statistics faculty member. You should approach a faculty member to be your advisor by the time you start your senior year. It helps to have an idea of what you would like to write your thesis about. - What do Statistics majors do after they graduate?
Statistics majors pursue many different careers. Some go to graduate programs in Statistics or other mathematical or scientific disciplines, some to MBA programs, some become actuaries or teachers, and others go into industry or government. Industries with high demand for statisticians include biotechnology, finance, genomics, marketing, pharmaceuticals, and search.
The Career Center publishes the results of an annual Senior Survey that lists what students have gone on to do after they graduate. See http://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Statistics.stm.
TOP ^ - How do I get involved in undergraduate research?
a) Visit research.berkeley.edu for information on workshops, research opportunities, and other resources that help you connect with faculty, find funding, and give you tips on writing research proposals and papers.
b) Through the Vertical Integration of Research and Education grant (VIGRE) awarded by the National Science Foundation, the Statistics Department is able to offer research assistantships for undergraduates during the Spring semester. Visit http://www.stat.berkeley.edu/27 for more information. Projects are posted in January and applications are due towards the end of January.
c) Independent research is another option. This would require finding a faculty advisor to work with you. To find faculty whose research interests are most in line with what you are interested in researching, review the Statistics Faculty Interests page here: http://www.stat.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/research.cgi. You may also wish to connect with your upper division instructors. Contact potential faculty advisors to see if they can advise you on an independent research project. See research.berkeley.edu for tips on how to approach faculty and go about proposing a research project.
Still have questions? Contact one of the advisors: Prof. Philip Stark (Undergraduate Faculty Advisor, stark@stat.berkeley.edu) or Denise Yee (Undergraduate Staff Advisor, cco@stat.berkeley.edu).