Jun 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Record 2024-2025

Applied Statistics, B.A.


Return to: College of Arts & Sciences: Departments/Programs  


The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Applied Statistics provides students with a solid grounding the field of statistics, with particular attention paid to applications. Knowledge of statistics is becoming increasingly important in many fields, so that students completing this major will have many options available upon graduation.

Students completing this major will be well prepared to design experimental studies, analyze data, and communicate results in a wide range of subject areas. They will also be well prepared to enter MS programs in statistics and related fields.  With a modest amount of advance planning students are able to complete an M.S. in Statistics at UVa with one additional year of study. Students interested in the B.A./M.S. program should visit the Department of Statistics website.

Students who declare the B.A. in Applied Statistics have the option of choosing one of three concentrations within the major. These concentrations are Finance and Business, Biostatistics, and Data Science. The details of these concentrations are given below. The prerequisites to declare any of the concentrations are those listed below.

Universal Curriculum Requirements


To be awarded a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete universal curriculum requirements in addition to the program requirements provided below. The school universal curriculum requirements can be found on the school Degree Programs page .

Program Requirements


The BA in Applied Statistics requires five core courses and five restricted elective courses. In total the BA in Applied Statistics requires 30 credit hours, plus prerequisite courses. There are two lists of restricted elective courses, those that focus on data analysis and those that are more computational. Of the five restricted elective courses, at least three must be taken from the Data Analysis list. A grade of C- or higher is required for all prerequisite and major courses. 

Prerequisites: 15 -17 credit hours


Students must have completed all prerequisite courses to declare the major. Students may use AP credit to satisfy the prerequisites.

Restricted Electives:


The Data Analysis restricted electives and the Computational restricted electives are listed below. Students must take four restricted electives, with at least two from the Data Analysis list. At most one of the four restricted electives may be drawn from a non-STAT pneumonic. (This limit on non-STAT courses also applies to the concentrations listed below.)

Data Analysis Restricted Electives: Minimum of 6 credit hours


The purpose of the additional required coursework in data analysis is to further prepare students to apply data science tools to generate insights from data and identify and predict trends. This coursework will allow students to gain additional breadth and depth in data analytics software and applications.

Computational Restricted Electives:


The purpose of the additional required coursework in computation is to further prepare students to apply computational tools and methods for statistical modeling and analysis. This coursework will allow students to gain additional breadth and depth in modern computing software and applications.

Course Duplication Limitations


  • Only one of STAT 4630 and STAT 5630 will satisfy the major requirements, as these are both versions of a machine learning course.
  • Only one of STAT 4260, ASTR 4140, COMM 3220, and CS 4750 will satisfy the major requirements, as these are all versions of a database course. 
  • Only one of STAT 4120, ECON 3720, ECON 4720, and SYS 4021 will satisfy the major requirements, as these are all versions of an advanced regression course. 

Applied Statistics Concentrations


Those declaring the B.A. in Applied Statistics have the option of choosing a major concentration. The concentrations are Finance and Business, Biostatistics, and Data Science. The requirements for these concentrations are given below. The prerequisites to declare any of the concentrations are the same as described earlier.

Biostatistics Concentration


Data Science Concentration


Finance and Business Concentration


Description of Capstone


For the capstone, students will work in teams of 3 or 4 to complete an extensive data analysis project. The students and capstone faculty will work collaboratively to develop a hands-on project for each team to demonstrate knowledge and skill in data analysis, interpretation, and communication. Each project will require the team to determine the nature of the questions of interest; prepare data for analysis; select and perform the appropriate analysis; determine conclusions; and present the results. The capstone project will provide an opportunity to observe how students work through all aspects of a statistical analysis.

Students will be guided and evaluated by the capstone faculty. The capstone experience will culminate with the submission of a final report, and a formal presentation. If a student fails the capstone course, the Director of Undergraduate Programs will meet with the student to determine a set of revisions and/or alternative academic activities to complete their project. A student who fails to complete their project may retake the course in a subsequent semester.