Statistics is the art and science of study design and data analysis. Probability theory is the mathematical foundation for the study of statistical methods and for the modeling of random phenomena. The statistics major builds on a foundation in probability and statistical theory to provide practical training in statistical methods, study design, and data analysis. The statistics major is an appropriate background for graduate work, including doctoral studies in statistics, social science, and public health. The major also prepares students for careers where the analysis of data is of fundamental importance, including genetics, health policy, epidemiology, marketing, opinion polling, economics, finance and banking, government, drug development, and insurance.
Statistics Course Descriptions
DEPARTMENTAL OFFICE
1255 Amsterdam Ave, Room 1005; (212) 851-2132
www.stat.columbia.edu
DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Ji Meng Loh
1255 Amsterdam Ave., Room 1012; (212) 851-2139
meng@stat.columbia.edu
FACULTY
Professors
Graciela Chichilnisky
Victor H. de la Peña
Andrew Gelman
Christopher C. Heyde
Ioannis Karatzas (Mathematics)
David H. Krantz (Psychology)
Shaw-Hwa Lo
Paul Meier (Emeritus)
Daniel Rabinowitz
Zhiliang Ying
Associate Professors
Ji Meng Loh
Jan Vecer
Tian Zheng
Assistant Professors
Regina G. Dolgoarshinnykh
Gerardo Hernandez-del-Valle
Martin A. Lindquist
Liam Paninski
Haipeng Xing
Adjunct Professors
Demissie Alemayehu
Mark Brown
Michael Hogan
Jonathan Ma
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN STATISTICS
Program of study: All majors should consult the director of undergraduate studies regularly in planning their programs of study. The requirements listed below are special to this department and must be read in conjunction with the general requirements for the bachelor's degree. As a rule, no more than 12 transfer credits will be accepted toward the major.
Note: STAT W4109 (6 credits) may be taken in lieu of SIEO W4105 (or STAT W3000) and STAT W3659 with the approval of the director of undergraduate studies.
Students should normally take MATH V1101-V1102 at the start of their studies and follow this with STAT W1211, and STAT W3000 or SIEO W4105.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS-STATISTICS
Mathematics Departmental Advisor:
Robert Friedman
605 Mathematics; (212) 854-4355
rf@math.columbia.edu
Statistics Departmental Advisor:
Ji Meng Loh
1255 Amsterdam Ave., Room 1012; (212) 851-2139
meng@stat.columbia.edu
The program is designed to prepare the student for: (1) a possible career in industries that require a high level of mathematical sophistication and a substantial knowledge of probability and statistics, such as finance and insurance; (2) graduate study in various quantitative fields. In this direction, the major offers components in mathematics and statistics together with electives in finance, operations research, computer science, and other quantitative fields. Students who aim toward graduate work may prefer to take electives in mathematics and statistics.
Required courses: This program requires a total of 41 credits:
Alternatively, with the approval from the advisor, students may satisfy the mathematics requirements by taking MATH V1207 and V1208 and V2500.
An approved selection of advanced courses in mathematics, statistics, applied mathematics, computer science or mathematical methods courses in physics, social science, or business, economics, biology, and other fields. Students interested in modeling applications are strongly recommended to take MATH W3027 and MATH W3028; those interested in finance are strongly recommended to take MATH W4071, while those interested in graduate work are strongly recommended to take MATH W4061-W4062.
Students must obtain approval from an advisor in each of the two departments before selecting electives.
Note: With the approval of their advisor, students may replace the two requirements, STAT W3000 or SIEO W4105, and STAT W3659, with the 6-credit course STAT W4109.
Note: All required and elective courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better to count toward the major.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A CONCENTRATION IN STATISTICS
Courses: 24 credits, including:
Note: STAT W1001 or W1111 (with a grade of at least A) may be taken in lieu of STAT W1211 with the approval of the adviser.
Note: STAT W4109 (6 credits) may be taken in lieu of SIEO W4105 (or STAT W3000) and STAT W3659, with the approval of the advisor.
Note: Only one required course in which the grade of D has been received may be counted toward the statistics major or concentration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A JOINT MAJOR IN ECONOMICS-STATISTICS
For a description of the joint major, see the Department of Economics section in this bulletin.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A JOINT MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE-STATISTICS
For a description of the joint major, see the Department of Political Science section in this Bulletin.
EVENING COURSES
The Department of Statistics normally offers eight to ten courses in statistics in the evening every term.
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION (for a detailed description of each course, see the Statistics Course Descriptions)