<p>Hi all,
Does anyone have experience with the university's department of statistics, especially with the undergrad major? Stats has really spoken to me in high school, and I am curious about continuing with my studies in college. However, the requirements look extremely math intensive (requires math past the infamous analysis). Does anyone know if the focus is on theoretical stats or applies stats? I know it's a smaller department, but I'm still hopeful.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi ewigewig,</p>
<p>Statistics also “spoke to me” when I was in high school! After matriculating at UChicago, I had discussions with the undergraduate advisor (Professor McPeek) and took a few statistics classes before deciding to major in math instead.</p>
<p>Although you already discovered the requirements for the major, I encourage you to continue browsing the “Statistics” page in the college catalog ([Statistics</a> - University of Chicago Catalog](<a href=“http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/thecollege/statistics/]Statistics”>Statistics < University of Chicago Catalog)). You can read course descriptions, use course numbers to search for syllabi, find old course pages, find contact info, etc. </p>
<p>The essential requirements for the BA/BS are fairly standard and leave both the mathematical intensity and focus of your studies to your discretion. They cover what most consider fundamental to statistics and are comparable to the requirements of peer statistics programs. If you’re interested, I added some details on the mathematical requirements of the major below. I’m guessing the amount of “theoretical” or “applied” flavor your studies take depends on what you do outside of class and beyond. I haven’t heard anyone in the department try to define their research through that particular dichotomy, and you can get a better idea of what the faculty work on via their personal pages ([Statistics</a> Faculty](<a href=“http://galton.uchicago.edu/people/faculty.shtml]Statistics”>http://galton.uchicago.edu/people/faculty.shtml)). For what it’s worth, most of the undergraduate research I’ve seen is in financial or biological statistics.</p>
<p>All of the faculty members I’ve met are intriguing personalities and accessible people, and you may try contacting one of them for better advice.</p>
<p>=============================================</p>
<p>Everyone has to take </p>
<ol>
<li>linear algebra, which you can fulfill through either (a) STAT 243 a standard, introductory linear algebra class class or (b) an introductory abstract algebra sequence and </li>
<li>multivariable calculus/differential equations, which you can fulfill through either (a) MATH 200/201, the analog to 1.(a) or (b) an introductory analysis sequence plus a “Theory of ODEs” class for the B.S.</li>
</ol>
<p>Both 1.(b) and 2.(b) have non-honors options designed with the recognition that many statistics, economics, and physics majors want to take analysis/algebra. Those options are similar in difficulty to 1.(a) and 2.(a), and completing them will basically earn you a second major in math. They will also be helpful if you take any statistics classes at the graduate level or apply to graduate school.</p>
<p>The required statistics sequence contains a mixture of computation, data analysis using R, and proofs using a limited number of recurring (and mostly computational) techniques.</p>
<p>There’s also a stats minor that’s only 5 classes I think making it the shortest minor in the school. Be warned though, stats is really hard for most people so make sure you take enough time to study for it, amongst my econ friends it wasn’t uncommon for people to pass fail stat 232 and take it a second time just so they would avoid a C on their transcript.</p>