The Department of Applied Mathematics is launching a new major in undergraduate statistics and data science. Beginning in fall 2018, this bachelor’s degree will be offered to students in the College of Arts and Sciences. 

To introduce the major to students and advisors, the department is hosting an open house and information session on Tuesday, April 17, from 3:30-5 p.m. in ECCR 257, which is in the Engineering Center’s classroom wing on the second floor. 

The new BA in statistics and data science is designed with an emphasis on inter- and cross-disciplinary training, and it is intended to prepare students for a wide range of careers, including statistics, data analytics, data science, business, engineering, economics, public health, computational biology, insurance, forestry, psychology, social justice and human rights. 

Courses are designed to provide students with skills in statistical methods, cutting-edge data analysis techniques, and essential professional skills. These skills are in high demand in the job market and prepare students for desirable careers in statistics and data science, the department notes. 

Because statisticians and data scientists are often involved with interdisciplinary work, the BA degree requires in-depth knowledge of an area of science, engineering or social science that uses statistics to solve important problems. 

This degree is designed to educate and train students to become leaders in statistics and data science who will innovate to positively impact humanity. As such, the goals of the degree are to provide students with:

• Foundational knowledge in mathematics, statistics and data science that are most important to the analysis of data.
• Content knowledge in a domain of application so students can use their knowledge of statistics, data science and computing to solve real-world data analysis problems.
• Professional skills in communication, collaboration and ethics.

For additional information contact, Anne Dougherty via email at anne.dougherty@colorado.edu or Brian Zaharatos at brian.zaharatos@colorado.edu. Learn more about applied mathematics at the department’s website.