FAQs
1. How do I declare statistics as my major?
2. How do I add Statistics as my second major?
3. I am interested in becoming an actuary. Is there a degree in actuarial science at UC Davis?
4. I took MAT 16(17) series. But the statistics major requires MAT 21 series. Can I still major in Statistics?
5. I took STA 13 (or an equivalent course), can the STA 32 requirement be waived?
6. Am I required to take MAT 21D?
7. How do I petition for a modification to the statistics major course requirements?
8. How do I choose and get approval of an elective course to be used to fulfill the statistics major requirement?
9. I am considering graduate school in Statistics, which statistics program option should I choose?
10. As a statistics major, can I take a class required of my major for the pass or no pass option?
11. How do I know if a course at another institution is equivalent to a statistics course at UC Davis?
12. How do I earn academic credits for special study, independent study, or internship in statistics?
13. How do I know if I have completed all the coursework required of my major and therefore I am eligible to receive my degree in Statistics?
14. Are there any employment opportunities for statistics majors at the department?
15. How can I find internship or employment opportunities?
1. How do I declare statistics as my major?
You can declare a statistics major at any time after your first quarter. However, it is recommended that you have taken some of the preparatory courses prior to declaring. Meet with the major advisor to discuss your interest and submit Change of Major to the Dean’s office of College of Letters and Science to be officially declared as a statistics major.
2. How do I add Statistics as my second major?
Submit Change of Major and Multiple Major Program forms to the L&S Dean’s Office to be considered as a double major. At the time of petition, two upper division courses in each major must have been successfully completed. Also, for each major, 80% of the upper-division units must be unique; this usually translates into 2-3 overlapping courses between the two majors.
3. I am interested in becoming an actuary. Is there a degree in actuarial science at UC Davis?
At UC Davis, we don’t offer a program in actuarial science; in fact, very few institutions confer such a degree. But having an educational background in statistics, mathematics, or economics provides good preparation for the actuarial profession. Your curriculum should include calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, computer science, and economics. For more information, please visit Preparing for an Actuarial Career While in College.
4. I took MAT 16(17) series. But the statistics major requires MAT 21 series. Can I still major in Statistics?
Currently we don’t accept MAT 16 or 17 series as substitutes for MAT 21 series. If you are committed to majoring in statistics, you will have to take the 21 series with reduced credits counting toward your graduation unit requirement.
5. I took STA 13 (or an equivalent course), can the STA 32 requirement be waived?
Exemption from STA 32 is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Contact the major advisor for advice.
6. Am I required to take MAT 21D?
The Math Department recently reconfigured the MAT 21 calculus series. MAT 21D was officially added to the series Fall 2006. If you started taking the 21 series during or after Fall 2006, you are strongly recommended to take MAT 21D in order to be adequately prepared for STA 131 series. MAT 21D will be officially added as a preparatory course for the statistics major in the 2008-09/2009-10 General Catalog.
7. How do I petition for a modification to the statistics major course requirements?
We recognize that various reasons, such as course offerings and graduation plan, may affect a student’s normal progression in the program. You may petition to the faculty advisor for a modification to the major course requirements provided that you have a compelling reason. Please fill out Major Modification Petition. If your petition is approved, return the signed form to the department for proper documentation.
8. How do I choose and get approval of an elective course to be used to fulfill the statistics major requirement?
The elective must be an upper-division course that covers the quantitative aspects of a discipline. For the A.B. degree in Statistics, all three electives must be in one discipline such as economics, biological science, human development, and etc. You may contact us for recommended electives or propose a course for us to review. All electives need to be approved by the major advisor and documented on Proposed Major Study Plan if they are to be used to fulfill the statistics major course requirements.
9. I am considering graduate school in Statistics, which statistics program option should I choose?
The B.S. (general option) is recommended; and you are particularly recommended to take the MAT 25, 125A-B series. This option combines the study of statistics and mathematics, which provides more advanced theoretical grounding for graduate study in Statistics. However, if your graduate school focus is in other fields, the A.B or the B.S. (computer science) degree is no less sufficient.
10. As a statistics major, can I take a class required of my major for the pass or no pass option?
No, all courses must be taken for the letter grade if they are used to satisfy the statistics major requirements.
11. How do I know if a course at another institution is equivalent to a statistics course at UC Davis?
ASSIST is a comprehensive on-line course articulation system for most California community colleges with University of California. Search ASSIST to see if a lower-division course at a California community college is equivalent to a course at UC Davis.
If you plan to take a statistics course at another UC campus, private institutions, or out-of-state institutions, please provide us with an expanded course description, including the textbooks to be used, prerequisites, topics to be covered, and other pertinent information about the course for review and approval.
12. How do I earn academic credits for special study, independent study, or internship in statistics?
Students who wish to enroll in STA 99X, 98, 99, 190X, 192, 194HA-194HB, 198, 199 must first identify and contact a faculty person whose academic expertise is related to their proposed project. If the faculty person agrees to sponsor the student’s research or special study project, the student and the faculty sponsor together fill out a Course Contract. The course contracts are agreements between faculty and students and serve as written verification of the faculty person’s consent to sponsor the student for academic unit credit.
13. How do I know if I have completed all the coursework required of my major and therefore I am eligible to receive my degree in Statistics?
All statistics graduating seniors are required to complete and turn in a major certification form at the beginning of the quarter they plan to graduate. Please complete the appropriate degree certification form and consult with the major advisor if you have any questions. Return the completed form to the undergraduate program coordinator promptly so that the department can verify your status toward degree attainment. Please note that any unresolved or unapproved coursework may jeopardize your graduation schedule.
14. Are there any employment opportunities for statistics majors at the department?
A limited number of reader positions are available for undergraduate statistics majors. As a reader, you will be grading exams, tests, and other class-related exercises under the direct supervision of the course instructor.
The department also hires a peer advisor on an annual basis. The peer advisor offers peer perspectives on course selection, schedules, professors, and resources on campus. The peer advisor also participates in departmental student recruitment and outreach efforts.
Please inquire with the undergraduate program coordinator about the availability of these positions and how to apply.
15. How can I find internship or employment opportunities?
The Internship and Career Center would be your first resource on campus. Register at their website to receive updates about job listings, upcoming career fairs, and recruitment fairs. You can also schedule an appointment to meet a career counselor to explore your career options. Broaden your internship and job search by focusing on the skills and qualifications the companies and organizations are looking for, rather than the specific job titles. Network with your peers and professors in the department - you would be surprised at the great insights you may gain from these relationships.
