Statistics, B.S.

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to degree programs offered by the college. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another college on the Columbia campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another USC campus must fulfill one of the following requirements:

  1. Be in good standing, meet the admission requirements for a baccalaureate degree on the Columbia campus, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
  2. Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with a GPA of 2.00 or higher on a USC campus.

Some programs in the College of Arts and Sciences have special admission requirements established by the department or committee that supervises the specific degree program, for example, Cardiovascular Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Economics, Environmental Science, the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. These requirements are listed in the sections of this bulletin that describe department and special degree programs.

Degree Requirements (120 hours)

Program of Study

Requirements Credit Hours
1. Carolina Core 34-46
2. College Requirements 15-19
3. Program Requirements 28-44
4. Major Requirements 27

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

Requirements (120 hours)

Course Title Credits
Carolina Core (34-46 hours)
CMW - Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written 1
CC-CMW course(s)6
ARP - Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving 1
MATH 141Calculus I4
MATH 142Calculus II4
SCI - Scientific Literacy
CC-SCI course(s) (Two 4-credit hour CC-SCI laboratory science courses)
GFL - Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language
Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required for all baccalaureate degrees. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.
CC-GFL course(s)0-6
GHS - Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking
CC-GHS course(s)3
GSS - Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences
CC-GSS course(s)3
AIU - Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding
CC-AIU course(s)3
CMS - Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component 2
CC-CMS course(s)0-3
INF - Information Literacy 2
CC-INF course(s)0-3
VSR - Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility 2
CC-VSR course(s)0-3
College Requirements (15-19 hours)
Foreign Language (0-3 hours)
Only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency0-3
Analytical Reasoning (6-7 hours) 1
MATH 241Vector Calculus3
CSCE 145Algorithmic Design I3-4
or CSCE 106 Scientific Applications Programming
History (3 hours)
The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one additional GHS course beyond the Carolina Core GHS requirement. If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a U.S. history course, the history requirement must be fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course. If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course, the history requirement must be fulfilled by a U.S. history course. Please select the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement from the approved list:
U.S. and non-U.S. History Courses3
Social Science (3 hours)
Social Science Courses3
Fine Arts/Humanities (3 hours)
ENGL 363Introduction to Professional Writing 13
or ENGL 462 Technical Writing
or ENGL 463 Business Writing
Program Requirements (28-44 hours)
Supporting Courses (0-3 hours) 1,3
MATH 344Applied Linear Algebra3
or MATH 544 Linear Algebra
Minor (0-18 hours) Optional 1
An optional minor may be added to a student’s program of study. A minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University. A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z . An optional additional major may also be added to a student’s program of study.0-18
Electives (7-41 hours)
120 (or 128) degree applicable credits are required to complete any degree at USC. After the cognate, minor or second major is complete, any additional credits needed to reach 120 (or 128) total credits can be fulfilled by electives. No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.7-41
Major Requirements (27 hours) 1
Major Courses (15 hours)
Theory
STAT 511Probability 53
STAT 512Mathematical Statistics3
Methods and Computation
STAT 509Statistics for Engineers 63
or STAT 515 Statistical Methods I
STAT 516Statistical Methods II 73
STAT 540Computing in Statistics 83
or STAT 542 Computing for Data Science
Major Electives (12 hours)
Four courses from STAT 500 or above, at least one of which must be selected from STAT 513, STAT 517, STAT 520, or STAT 535, which are the options for the Carolina Core integrative course for the Statistics major. 6,7,812
Actuarial Science Concentration (27 hours) 4
Theory
STAT 511
Probability 5
STAT 512
Mathematical Statistics
STAT 513
Theory of Statistical Inference
Methods and Computation
STAT 509
Statistics for Engineers 6
or STAT 515
 Statistical Methods I
STAT 516
Statistical Methods II 7
STAT 540
Computing in Statistics 8
or STAT 542
 Computing for Data Science
Advanced Applications
STAT 520
Forecasting and Time Series
STAT 521
Applied Stochastic Processes
Select one course from STAT 500 or above 6,7,8
1.

Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

2.

Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

3.

Supporting courses may be used to satisfy the requirements of a Minor or the Major Requirements of an additional major, in which case the hours are counted as part of that Minor or additional major.

4.

The Actuarial Science Concentration requires the Risk Management and Insurance Minor (18 hours).

5.

A student double majoring in Mathematics and Statistics may use STAT 511 [=MATH 511] to satisfy a major requirement in both programs.

6.

Major credit will be given for only one of STAT 509 or STAT 515. Neither STAT 509 nor STAT 515 may be taken concurrently with, or after, STAT 513. A student who has started the Statistics major after taking STAT 512 may replace the STAT 509/STAT 515 requirement with an additional 3 hour Major Elective course chosen from STAT 500 or above.

7.

A student double majoring in Economics (in the College of Arts and Sciences) and Statistics may use the combination of both ECON 436 and STAT 506 in place of the combination of both STAT 516 and one of the STAT 500 or above Major Elective courses for the Statistics major. In this case ECON 436 may satisfy a major requirement in both programs. ECON 436 and STAT 516 may not both be used to satisfy major requirements in Statistics.

8.

Whichever of STAT 540 or STAT 542 was not used as a Major Course may be used as a Major Elective. 

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Statistics, B.S. No Concentration

Statistics, B.S. Actuarial Science Concentration

Statistics, B.S. No Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
ENGL 101 Critical Reading and Composition 3
MATH 141 Calculus I 3 4
STAT 515 Statistical Methods I 4 3
Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirement 5,6 3-4
UNIV 101 The Student in the University (or Carolina Core Requirement) 6 3
 Credit Hours16-17
Spring
ENGL 102 Rhetoric and Composition 3
MATH 142 Calculus II 7 4
STAT 516 Statistical Methods II 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirement 5,6 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall
MATH 241 Vector Calculus 3
STAT 511 Probability 3
CSCE 145
or CSCE 106
 Algorithmic Design I
or Scientific Applications Programming
 3-4
Foreign language or Carolina Core Requirement 5,6 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3-4
 Credit Hours15-17
Spring
STAT 512 Mathematical Statistics 3
STAT Major Elective (500-level or above) 8 3
Social Science 3
History 9 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Year
Fall
STAT Major Elective (500-level or above) 8 3
STAT 540 Computing in Statistics (or STAT Major Elective (500-level or above)) 8 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3-4
Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 10 3
Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 6,10 3
 Credit Hours15-16
Spring
STAT Major Elective (500-level or above) or STAT 542 (offered spring only) if STAT 540 not taken in sem. 5 3
ENGL 363
or ENGL 462
or ENGL 463
 Introduction to Professional Writing
or Technical Writing
or Business Writing
 3
Elective 10 3
Elective 10 3
Elective 10 3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
STAT Major Elective (500-level or above) 8 3
MATH 344 Applied Linear Algebra 1 3
Elective 10 3
Elective 10 3
Elective (only if needed to meet hours to graduate) 10 1-3
 Credit Hours13-15
Spring
Elective 10 3
Elective 10 3
Elective 10 3
Elective 10 3
Elective 10 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours120-126
1

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA.

2

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. Courses indicated in this column are included in the major GPA for this program of study.

3

Students who place into MATH 115 should take it in their first semester and take MATH 141 in the second semester. Students who place into MATH 111 should take it in their first semester and take MATH 115 in their second semester and MATH 141 in the summer or in their third semester. Students who place into MATH 141 and have no previous STAT course will take STAT 515 in the second semester.

4

Students who do not satisfy the prerequisites for STAT 515 should take STAT 201, 205, or 206 as an elective in the first semester (if they meet the prerequisites for one of them and don't already have credit for any of them) and STAT 515 in the second semester. Students who do not satisfy the prerequisites for any of STAT 201, 205, 206, or 515 should take STAT 110 as an elective in their first semester and STAT 515 in the second.

5

Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score.

6

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.

7

If MATH 142 is not taken by the second semester, then it must be taken over the summer.

8

Select four courses from STAT 500 or above, at least one of which must be selected from STAT 513, 517, 520 or 535, which are the options of the Carolina Core integrative course for the Statistics major.

  • A student with an additional major in Mathematics may use STAT 511 [=MATH 511] to satisfy a major requirement in both programs.
  • Major credit will be given for only one of STAT 509 or STAT 515. Neither STAT 509 nor STAT 515 may be taken concurrently with, or after, STAT 513. A student who has started the Statistics major after taking STAT 512 may replace the STAT 509/STAT 515 requirement with an additional 3-hour Major Elective course chosen from STAT 500 or above.
  • A student with an additional major in Economics (in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences) may use the combination of both ECON 436 and STAT 506 in place of the combination of both STAT 516 and one of the STAT 500 or above Major Elective courses for the Statistics major. In this case ECON 436 may satisfy a major requirement in both programs. ECON 436 and STAT 516 may not both be used to satisfy major requirements in Statistics.
  • Whichever of STAT 540 or STAT 542 was not used as a Major Course may be used as a Major Elective.
9

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses. Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement.

10

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.

11

Students who have previously completed MATH 544 will not be required to take MATH 344.

Program Notes: 

  • All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
  • To be retained in the program, a student must obtain a grade of C or higher in at most two attempts in all mathematics, computer science, and statistics courses required for graduation.
  • The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina-Columbia.

 Statistics, B.S. Actuarial Science Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
STAT 515 Statistical Methods I 3 3
MATH 141 Calculus I 4 4
ECON 221 Principles of Microeconomics 3
Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirement 5,6 3-4
UNIV 101 The Student in the University (or Carolina Core Requirement) 6 3
 Credit Hours16-17
Spring
ENGL 101 Critical Reading and Composition 3
STAT 516 Statistical Methods II 3
MATH 142 Calculus II 7 4
ECON 222 Principles of Macroeconomics 8 3
Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirement 5,6 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall
STAT 540 Computing in Statistics (or STAT Major Elective (500-level or above)) 9 3
MATH 241 Vector Calculus 3
STAT/MATH 511 Probability 3
ACCT 225 Introduction to Financial Accounting 8 3
Foreign language or Carolina Core Requirement 5,6 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
ENGL 102 Rhetoric and Composition 3
STAT 512 Mathematical Statistics (offered spring & summer only) 3
STAT Major Elective (500-level or above) or STAT 542 (offered spring only) if STAT 540 not taken in sem. 3 9 3
FINA 363 Introduction to Finance 8 3
History 10 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Year
Fall
STAT 513 Theory of Statistical Inference (fall only) 3
FINA 469 Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management 8 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
STAT 521 Applied Stochastic Processes (offered spring of odd years only) 3
FINA 471 Derivative Securities 8 3
CSCE 145
or CSCE 106
 Algorithmic Design I
or Scientific Applications Programming
 3-4
Carolina Core Requirement 6 3-4
Elective 1
 Credit Hours13-15
Fourth Year
Fall
STAT/MGSC 520 Forecasting and Time Series (offered fall of odd years only) 3
MATH 344 Applied Linear Algebra 11 3
ENGL 363
or ENGL 462
or ENGL 463
 Introduction to Professional Writing
or Technical Writing
or Business Writing
 3
Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 6,12 3
Elective 12 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
FINA 475 Fixed Income Securities 8 3
Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 6,12 3
Elective 12 3
Elective 12 3
Elective 12 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours120-123
1

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA.

New Footnote
 
2

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. Courses indicated in this column are included in the major GPA for this program of study.

3

Students who placed into MATH 141 and have no previous STAT course will take STAT 515 in the second semester.

4

Students who place into MATH 115 will be required to take it before proceeding to MATH 141 and should also register for STAT 201 in the first semester and STAT 515 in the second semester. Students who have previously completed STAT 509 will not be required to take STAT 515.

5

Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score.

6

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.

7

If MATH 142 is not taken by the second semester, then students are encouraged to take it over the summer.

8

The minor in Risk Management and Insurance is required for the concentration in Actuarial Science.

9

Statistics Major Elective

  • A student with an additional major in Mathematics may use STAT 511 [=MATH 511] to satisfy a major requirement in both programs.
  • Major credit will be given for only one of STAT 509 or STAT 515. Neither STAT 509 nor STAT 515 may be taken concurrently with, or after, STAT 513. A student who has started the Statistics major after taking STAT 512 may replace the STAT 509/STAT 515 requirement with an additional 3-hour Major Elective course chosen from STAT 500 or above.
  • A student with an additional major in Economics (in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences) may use the combination of both ECON 436 and STAT 506 in place of the combination of both STAT 516 and one of the STAT 500 or above Major Elective courses for the Statistics major. In this case ECON 436 may satisfy a major requirement in both programs. ECON 436 and STAT 516 may not both be used to satisfy major requirements in Statistics.
  • Whichever of STAT 540 or STAT 542 was not used as a Major Course may be used as a Major Elective.
10

The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses. Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement.

11

Students who have previously completed MATH 544 will not be required to take MATH 344.

12

No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.

Program Notes:

  • All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
  • To be retained in the program, a student must obtain a grade of C or higher in at most two attempts in all mathematics, computer science, and statistics courses required for graduation.
  • The last 30 credit hours toward your degree must be earned in residence at the University of South Carolina-Columbia.