Bachelor of Arts in Statistical Science

The Bachelor of Arts degree differs from the Bachelor of Science program in two ways, 1) by requiring less upper-division units (40 units versus 52 units, in total, 3 courses) and 2) allows a greater flexibility in the choice of major courses.

The Department typically advises students to choose the Bachelor of Science degree because it provides a better preparation for the work force, as such; a majority of our students complete the B.S. requirements. Some students however, choose the B.A. option because it allows them to graduate earlier or it is easier to complete when opting to double major. Please note that the difference between the Minor in Statistics requirements and the B.A. requirements is small, and is essentially three Upper Division courses. Many students begin the Statistics minor but complete the full B.A. requirements and graduate with a double major.

Students opting for the B.A. degree are advised to consult our faculty undergraduate advisor about their choice of electives. For example, some of our BA graduates were successfully hired in the financial industry (e.g., Franklin Templeton, Capital One, Deutsche Bank, etc) due to their strategic choice of courses such as: PSTAT 126, 130, 131, 174 and several actuarial courses as electives.

Recommended preparation for major: two years of algebra and courses in plane geometry and trigonometry at high school.

Preparation for the major:
Math 3A*-B*-C*
Math 5A*-B* and 8
Computer Science 10 (Students are advised to take Computer Science 5JA in preparation for 10)

(Students should plan on satisfying these requirements early in their freshman and sophomore years.)

*A minimum grade of C is required in the prerequisite courses

Upper Division Requirements: 40 units in PSTAT and Mathematics
A. PSTAT 120A-B-C
B. 16 units from PSTAT 105, 122, 123, 126, 130, 140, 160A-B, 174, 175
C. 8 units from: other PSTAT courses not used in areas above or Math 104A-B-C, 108A-B, 111A-B-C, 117, 118A-B-C, 132A-B; Economics 100A-B or 104A-B
D. 4 upper division PSTAT and Mathematics elective units

Note: PSTAT 133A-B-C, and Math 100A-B, 101A-B, 102A-B, 193 will NOT apply to the major.

Major Regulations

P/NP Grading Option: Not allowed for any major course (Prep or UD major).

Substitutions: In the major requirements permissible only by petition to the Department Chair or Undergraduate Advisor.

Residence Requirements: At least 18 UD units in major while in residence at UCSB.

G.P.A. Requirements: At least 2.00 overall average in a) all UD major courses
and b) all major courses (prep UD) while in UC.

Double Majors: With the approval of each department chairperson, up to a total of 8 units may be applied simultaneously to both UD majors.

Study Abroad for Statistics Major