Stat 21 or 134? (Never taken Stat)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>I'm an intended econ major, 2nd year, taking math 53 and econ 101B right now. Going to be taking Econ 101A and Math 54 next semester. I need either Stat 20, 21, or 134 just to apply for Econ. I've been told that Stat 134 is much more useful, and therefore I plan on taking Stat 134 regardless sometime. </p>

<p>However, I've never taken any Stat before. And I need to make sure I can get into the Econ major. That is why I have been mostly considering just taking Stat 21 first so I can secure my entry into the Econ major and because I don’t need any prior stat knowledge for Stat 21. I’m ok at math, but like I said, no Stat knowledge whatsoever. </p>

<p>So should I take Stat 21 first, and then take Stat 134 later? Or Stat 134 right away?</p>

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<p>The only prerequisite for Statistics 134 is “a year of calculus” (e.g. Math 1A and 1B or equivalent). So you should be fine if you have that prerequisite with good enough knowledge to apply it to the problems you see in that course.</p>

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<p>I’m in stat 21 this semester and I have not had any stats experience before. 21 is not hard at all but the curve is a little tough. I can’t speak for 134 although I do plan o taking it at some point also.</p>

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<p>Stat 134 is probability theory. Stat 21 is introductory statistics and probability (with a negligible tilt toward business). </p>

<p>If you aren’t aware, “statistics” and “probability” --though related-- are completely distinct worlds. </p>

<p>Coming into 134 with 0 statistics knowledge won’t impede you doing well in the class. Everything needed for the course is discussed at length in professor Pitman’s textbook, which is the textbook all teachers of 134 here at Cal use. </p>

<p>Naturally, you will be competing with people who have had extensive statistics and probability background, so you will be at an initial disadvantage. But if you study smartly, it will be fine.</p>

<p>Though Stat 21 is one of the weeder courses for Haas, it is relatively an easy A, as many “Haas hopefuls” are woefully inadequate in quantitative topics like statistics.</p>

<p>Anyway, looking at your motivation for choosing between the two, I am suspicious of people who tell you 134 is

</p>

<p>134, as I said, is probability theory. Sure economics ties into probability in many ways, but if you’re an economist who can’t even run a basic regression analysis (statistics) then I don’t really see the value of having probability under your belt.</p>

<p>At the end of the day, I say all signs point to you taking Stat 21. Forget 134. If anything, take 135. Or better, take a Stats 150-series course, maybe 151a or 153. Those will be magnitudes more applicable than 134. Which is not just probability, but probability theory. If you’re an academic, then that’s all well and good. It’s not like you can walk into the real world and say, “wow, these two stochastics are bivariate normally distributed! omg, let me look at the pdf of the product of these variables and integrate!!! 8D”</p>

<p>Seriously, that was the entire class: “If I’m at a call center and the callers make 2 calls every minute, what’s the probability…” - and a multitude of other dumb questions that have minimal application relative to the other courses you could be taking in the stats department.</p>

<p>That said, let me be practical: you have to choose between 21 and 134. Choose 21 and be done with stats for the rest of your time here at Cal.
If you are interested in the 150-series as I mentioned it, choose 134, as it is a prerequisite to the 150-series (though prerequisites are not enforced because our stats department is a sorry excuse for a Berkeley institution and the department is garbage [personal opinion, I don’t care if you agree or disagree])</p>

<p>That’s my $0.02, hope I added some good color to your decision process.</p>

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<p>Statistics 20 or 21 would be if you want or need to take one statistics course.</p>

<p>If you want or need to take more, 134 and/or 135 are listed as prerequisites for most of the others.</p>

<p>The economics department recommends 134 for those intending on graduate school in economics: <a href=“https://econ.berkeley.edu/grad/admissions/preparation[/url]”>Preparation | Department of Economics;

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<p>^^ looks like someone took stat 134 up the butt.</p>

<p>Stat21 looks like a waste of time. Just take stat134. You will can practically get a job with just that class. It is more rewarding once you finish stat 134, especially if you want to take more stat classes or go into quant finance. I’m a stats major btw.</p>

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<p>^ hahaha that came off as pretty butthurt, huh? ahh bad times in 134… lol. </p>

<p>since you’re batting for 134, i’m sure OP would like to hear some specifics on what jobs are available to him after taking just that class.</p>

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<p>If you intend on taking Stat 134, prepare for an extremely difficult class. I got an A in that class but only after going to countless SLC tutoring sessions and office hours visits. I wouldn’t take 134 unless you had to honestly, or if you’re very interested in probability for whatever reason. It’s probably one of the most difficult undergrad stat classes, second to Stat 150 which is basically Stat 134 level 2.</p>

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<p>I’m thinking about applying to Haas, so as a Haas pre-requisite, do you think I have to take Stats 20 or 21 or could Stats 134 count as it? Also between Stats 20 and 21, which would be best: Stats 20 D’Abrera or el Karoui? Or Stats 21 with Ibser??</p>

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<p>hank’s the man. take 21 with him</p>