The Department of Statistics and Data Science Undergraduate Porgram offers one minor, two majors, and an accelerated AB/AM:

• Statistics minor
• Bachelor of Arts degree in Statistics
• Bachelor of Arts degree in Data Science (offered jointly with the Department of Computer Science & Engineering)
• Accelerated AB/AM in Statistics

Both majors are offered as a prime or a double major. All of our programs are flexible enough to allow a broad range of double majors or major/minor combinations. Majors are encouraged to complete additional work in other related areas.

Major and minor requirements can be found at the Washington University Bulletin, which showcases all programs, degree requirements, and courses in addition to course descriptions, relevent university policies, and faculty lists. Links to each specific program page are included below.

In 2024-2025, courses previously offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics were split between the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Statistics and Data Science (SDS). For students who matriculated in 2023-2024 or earlier, upper-level SDS courses may be counted as Mathematics courses for purposes of fulfilling upper-level unit and elective requirements.

To declare your major, meet with José E. Figueroa-López

The Statistics minor has six required courses and three elective courses for a total of 27 units.

More information, including a list of required courses and acceptable electives, can be found on the Bulletin here: https://bulletin.wustl.edu/undergrad/artsci/minors/statistics/

The AB in Statistics provides flexible and rigorous training in statistics for a wide range of career paths in industry or further graduate studies.

Why choose the AB in Statistics?

Data permeates every aspect of our lives. The ability to comprehend, synthesize, analyze, extract valuable information, and draw sound conclusions from data is a must-have in almost all human endeavors and activities. Statistics not only facilitates the implementation and evaluation of mathematical and computational models that represent reality but also acknowledges the inherent randomness in data, rendering it indispensable for the making of informed decisions in a wide range of domains.

This major requires 10 core courses and 4 electives for a total of 42 credits. More information including required courses and approved electives can be found in the Bulletin here: https://bulletin.wustl.edu/undergrad/artsci/majors/statistics-ba/

Jointly offered with the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, the AB in Data Science offers students the formal foundation needed to understand the applicability and consequences of the various approaches to analyzing data with a focus on statistical modeling and machine learning.

Why choose the AB in Data Science?

Data science arises in the midst of a new era of data revolution and the challenges faced by the standard mathematical and statistical approaches when dealing with massive datasets, high dimensionality, and extremely complex data objects. These data sets appear in modern applications ranging from medicine to climatology to social sciences, to name just a few. Students trained in data science are already in high demand across a wide spectrum of industries. Data science is by nature interdisciplinary, requiring the mastery of a variety of skills and concepts, including many traditionally associated with the fields of statistics, computer science, and mathematics. In crafting the BA in Data Science, SDS and CSE have have sought to leverage courses that are already taught as much as possible, while at the same time judiciously introducing a handful of new coursesthat capture unique aspects at the intersection of the two disciplines. The program features a novel practicum component during which students undertake a mentored experience to apply their knowledge and skills in industry or research.

The Data Science Major requires 12 core courses, 4 elective courses, one course in Ethics and Professional Responsibility, and a practicum requirement. More information including course lists and more information about the practicum can be found in the Bulletin here: https://bulletin.wustl.edu/undergrad/artsci/majors/datascience-bs/

The Accelerated AB/AM in Statistics allows highly qualified undergraduate majors to earn both the AB and AM degrees with two additional semesters of work (i.e., usually a total of five years). Participants can count up to 15 units of 400-/500-level coursework earned during the four years of undergraduate study (with grades of B or better) toward the AM course requirements. Counting these 15 units makes it possible to finish the master's requirements in one additional year, but the program is still fast-paced and requires a lot of intense work and careful planning. 

There are 36 units of course work required and an optional thesis. For more information, visit the Accelerated AB/AM in Statistics page of the Bulletin here: https://bulletin.wustl.edu/grad/artsci/degrees/statistics-accelerated-ba...

Please contact José E. Figueroa-López at sdsadvising@wustl.edu