The Department of Statistics in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers students a variety of options to pursue a deeper understanding of statistics. The major is designed to provide students with an understanding of the concepts of statistical inference and a familiarity with the methods of applied statistical analysis with specialized coursework in a number of areas of emphasis, such as Data Science and Biostatistics. A major in statistics will prepare students for a career in business, industry, or government, and for further graduate study in statistics or in a related area. Students may also pursue a bachelors degree in Statistics + Computer Science.
The Department of Statistics offers an undergraduate minor for non-majors who take a significant number of courses in Statistics. Coursework for the degree exposes students to statistical computation, theory of mathematical statistics, and many common techniques of statistical analysis.
Transferring to Statistics Deadlines
The university allows students to change their major during certain times of the academic year.
- Beginning of Spring semester.
- Middle of Spring semester (usually March).
- Middle of Summer semester (usually June).
- Beginning of Fall semester.
- Middle of Fall semester (usually October).
The specific dates of the next curriculum change period are listed on the LAS Declaration page.
This information is for undergraduate students planning to add either the "Statistics" major or the "Statistics & Computer Science" major by:
- Transferring or changing majors
- Double- or Triple-Major
- Dual Degree
The Department of Statistics has certain entry requirements that must be completed before joining the program.
| Statistics Major |
Calculus through Vector (Multivariable) Calculus |
| Stat & CS Major |
Statistics entry requirements as above |
For more information about transferring into the Stat&CS major, please see our transfer guide here.
If you’re already in LAS: The Curriculum Change form is available online. LAS students may now submit their requests to change from one LAS major to another LAS major using the college’s Curriculum Change Form.
All Curriculum Change requests will undergo a final review by a dean/advisor in the College of LAS. Students will receive email notifications when 1) their request has been submitted and 2) their request is approved, pending, or denied. The entire process should take several business days as with our other online forms.
If you’re in DGS or another college: You must go through the Intercollegiate Transfer (ICT) process to move into LAS and Statistics. Details about ICT can be found here.
How to Officially Add Statistics as a Second Major
If you’re already in LAS: You will need to contact the Admissions & Records Officers in the College of LAS to request a multiple major form. Details about adding a second major can be found here.
If you’re currently in another college: You will need to apply for a second degree in LAS. Details about the dual degree process can be found here.
Statistics Major Degree
The major, administered by the Department of Statistics, is designed to provide students with an understanding of the concepts of statistical inference and a familiarity with the methods of applied statistical analysis. A major in statistics will prepare students for a career in business, industry, or government, and for further graduate study in statistics or in a related area.
The following courses are required in the Statistics major:
Calculus sequence:
- MATH 220/MATH 221 - Calculus I
- MATH 231 - Calculus II
- MATH 241 - Calculus III
Mathematical Statistics sequence:
- STAT 107 - Data Science Discovery OR STAT 200 - Statistical Analysis OR STAT 212 - Biostatistics
- STAT 400 - Statistics and Probability I
- STAT 410 - Statistics and Probability II
Statistical Modeling sequence:
- MATH 257 - Linear Algebra with Computational Applications OR MATH 415: Applied Linear Algebra
- STAT 425 - Statistical Modeling I
- STAT 426 - Statistical Modeling II*
Choose four of the following advanced electives in Statistics:
- STAT 385 - Statistical Programming Methods
- STAT 424 - Analysis of Variance
- STAT 427 - Statistical Consulting
- STAT 428 - Statistical Computing
- STAT 429 - Time Series Analysis
- STAT 430 - Topics in Applied Statistics
- STAT 431 - Applied Bayesian Analysis
- STAT 432 - Basics of Statistical Learning
- STAT 433 - Stochastic Processes
- STAT 434 - Survival Analysis
- STAT 440 - Statistical Data Management
- STAT 443 - Professional Statistics
- STAT 447 - Data Science Programming Methods
- STAT 448 - Advanced Data Analysis
- STAT 480 - Data Science Foundations
- MATH 444 - Elementary Real Analysis OR MATH 447 - Real Variables
*Students who entered the Statistics major before Fall 2021 may take STAT 420 instead of STAT 426.
Credit hours in major: 42 - 45 credit hours
Students must also complete the College of LAS general education requirements: https://las.illinois.edu/academics/requirements/gened
Students in the College of LAS need a minimum of 120 total credit hours to graduate.
Click here for a sample course plan and major planning worksheet.
Statistics and Computer Science Major Degree
This major provides students with a strong foundation in both the study of Statistics and the field of Computer Science, with opportunities for advanced exploration in both areas. Students gain a fundamental understanding of and rigorous training in statistical analysis, probability, mathematics, computing, and computer science.
The following courses are required in the Statistics & Computer Science major:
Mathematical Foundation:
- MATH 220/MATH 221 - Calculus I
- MATH 231 - Calculus II
- MATH 241 - Calculus III
- MATH 257 - Linear Algebra with Computational Applications OR MATH 415: Applied Linear Algebra
Computer Science Foundation:
- CS 124 – Introduction to Computer Science I
- CS 128 – Introduction to Computer Science II
- CS 173 – Discrete Structures
- CS 222 – Software Design Lab
- CS 225 – Data Structures
- Choose one of the following combinations:
- CS 233 - Computer Architecture AND CS 241 – System Programming
OR - CS 240 – Introduction to Computer Systems AND two CS courses at the 400 level above CS 403, excluding CS 421 and CS 491. These two courses must be distinct from all other courses used to fulfill program requirements or options.
- CS 233 - Computer Architecture AND CS 241 – System Programming
- CS 357 – Numerical Methods I
- CS 374 – Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation
- CS 421 – Programming Languages & Compilers
Statistics and Probability Foundation:
- STAT 107 - Data Science Discovery OR STAT 200 - Statistical Analysis OR STAT 221 - Biostatistics
- STAT 400 - Statistics and Probability I
- STAT 410 - Statistics and Probability II
- STAT 425 - Statistical Modeling I
- STAT 426 - Statistical Modeling II
Statistical Application Electives – Choose one of the following:
- STAT 428 – Statistical Computing
- STAT 431 – Applied Bayesian Analysis
- STAT 432 – Basics of Statistical Learning
- STAT 434 – Survival Analysis
- STAT 448 – Advanced Data Analysis
Computational Application Electives – Choose one of the following:
- CS 410 – Text Information Systems
- CS 411 – Database Systems
- CS 412 – Introduction to Data Mining
- CS 446 – Machine Learning
- CS 481 – Advanced Topics in Stochastic Processes & Applications
- CS 482 - Simulation
Credit hours in major: 68 - 72 credit hours
Students must also complete the College of LAS general education requirements: https://las.illinois.edu/academics/requirements/gened
Students in the College of LAS need a minimum of 120 total credit hours to graduate.
Click here for a sample course plan and major planning worksheet.
Students who entered the Stat&CS major before Fall 2021: please click here for degree requirements and sample course plan.
For more information about transferring into the Stat&CS major, please see our transfer guide here.
Statistics Undergraduate Minor
The minor, administered by the Department of Statistics, is designed to provide students with an understanding of the concepts of statistical inference and a familiarity with the methods of applied statistical analysis.
Undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are not required to complete a minor for degree certification. Students must get the signed approval from an Undergraduate Advisor (stat-advising@illinois.edu), before declaring a Statistics Minor. To officially pursue a minor on this campus, students must be aware of the information and follow the procedures outlined below.
- The completion of the minor is an optional degree requirement to the baccalaureate program.
- Students’ enrollment periods will not be extended for the purpose of completing a minor.
- No priority on class registration will be given for courses required in the minor.
- Minor(s) will not be added retroactively to a student’s record after graduation.
- The student is responsible for notifying her/his college of the desire to pursue a minor by completing and appropriately filing the Statement of Intent to Pursue a Campus – Approved Minor. In the event of an Inter College Transfer (ICT), the student is responsible for notifying her/his new college of intent to pursue a minor by providing the original or a photo copy of the Statement of Intent Form.
- The Statement of Intent to Pursue a Campus-Approved Minor must be submitted to the student’s college of enrollment prior to the last day to add a class in the semester in which the student intends to graduate to assure timely processing.
- Any variance from courses required in the minor must be approved on the Modification of Minor form by the unit sponsoring the minor, that unit’s college and submitted to the student’s college office for final processing.
- The student is responsible for notifying her/his college of cancellation of the minor by use of the Modification of Minor Form.
Prerequisites:
To complete all required courses, students will need to take Calculus through Multivariable Calculus. Statistics 200 requires only first-semester calculus. The following courses have no calculus prerequisites: Statistics 100, Sociology 280, Psychology 235, Agricultural and Consumer Economics 261, Economics 202, Crop Sciences 241, Educational Psychology 280.
Applied Statistics Track (18-21 HRS)
- Mathematics 125 or 225 or 415
- One of:
- Statistics 100
- Sociology 280
- Psychology 235
- Agricultural and Consumer Economics 261
- Economics 202
- Crop Sciences 241
- Educational Psychology 280
- Statistics 200 or Statistics 212
- Statistics 400 (or Statistics 408 and 409)
- Statistics 420
- One of:
- Statistics 430
- Community Health 474
- Economics 471
- Mathematics 471
- Mathematics 477
- Industrial Engineering 400
- Psychology 407
- Animal Sciences 445
- Sociology 481
- or other courses if approved by the advisor.
Mathematical Statistics Track (19 HRS)
- Mathematics 415
- Statistics 200 or Statistics 212
- Statistics 400 (or Statistics 408 and 409)
- Statistics 410 or Electrical and Computer Engineering 313
- Two of:
- Stat 420,
- Stat 424
- Stat 425
- Stat 426
- Stat 427
- Stat 428
- Stat 429
- Stat 430
- Stat 440
- Stat 448
- Stat 458
- Stat 466
The Certificate in Data Science option allows undergraduate students to receive recognition for completing coursework that provides an understanding of the discipline of data science including exposure to data structures and data sources, statistical principles, computing and analytics, data management, and data science applications. Courses on the Approved List under Interdisciplinary Data Science include subject matter courses and courses that require substantial interpretation of data and report writing. Students completing the Certificate will be presented with an official certificate document and will be free to use this credential on a CV, resume or application for advanced study.
Data Science Course Requirements
For completion of the Certificate in Data Science, students must complete at least four courses (3-4 credit hours each) for a total of 12-16 credit hours of coursework from the Approved List of Data Science Courses below. Two 3-4 credit hour courses are required from Group 1 on the Approved List below. One 3-4 credit hour course is required from each of Groups 2 and 3 on the Approved List.
All courses applied to the certificate may also be counted toward the requirements of the student's declared major. Students are not guaranteed a seat in a course required by the certificate, but are welcome to enroll in courses where seats remain available after any restriction that may have been placed has been removed. No course substitutions will be approved.
Requesting the Certificate
The certificate is sent in PDF format to those who have filled out this request form after completing all requirements. These are usually sent in January (for requirements completed in fall) or June (for requirements completed in spring).
Approved List of Data Science Courses
1. FUNDAMENTALS OF DATA, SAMPLING, STATISTICS, AND MACHINE LEARNING (CHOOSE 2 COURSES)
- STAT 200: Statistical Analysis, credit: 3 hours
- STAT 212: Biostatistics, credit: 3 hours
- (Credit is not given for both STAT 200 and STAT 212)
- STAT 420: Methods of Applied Statistics, credit: 3 hours
- STAT 432: Basics of Statistical Learning, credit: 3 hours (new course)
- STAT 448: Advanced Data Analysis, credit: 4 hours
2. DATA STRUCTURES, PROGRAMMING AND VISUALIZATION (CHOOSE 1 COURSE)
- MATH 225: Introductory Matrix Theory, credit 3 hours
- MATH 415: Applied Linear Algebra, credit 3 or 4 hours
- (Credit is not given for both MATH 225 and MATH 415)
- STAT 385: Statistics Programming Methods, credit: 3 hours
- STAT 428: Statistical Computing, credit: 3 hours
- STAT 440: Statistical Data Management, credit: 3 hours
- STAT 480: Data Science Foundations, credit: 3 hours
3. INTERDISCIPLINARY DATA SCIENCE (CHOOSE 1 COURSE)
- ECON 471: Intro to Applied Econometrics, credit: 3 hours
- GEOG 371: Spatial Analysis, credit: 4 hours
- GEOG 379: Intro to GIS Systems, credit: 3 hours
- LING 402: Tools & Tech Spch & Lang Proc, credit: 3 Hours.
- LING 406: Intro to Computational Ling, credit: 3 or 4 hours
- MCB 432: Computing in Molecular Biology, credit: 3 Hours
- PS 230: Intro to Pol Research, credit: 3 hours
- SOC 380: Social Research Methods, credit: 4 hours
- SOC 488: Demographic Methods, credit: 3 hours
- STAT 443: Professional Statistics, credit: 3 hours
The Computational Science and Engineering certificate program is designed to provide STAT undergraduate students an opportunity to develop a solid base in problem solving using computation as a major tool for modeling complicated problems in science and engineering. This CSE Certificate option is not an academic major or minor, but an additional credential only available to students currently enrolled in the Statistics undergraduate degree program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The program is designed so that students can fit it within the required courses in the student’s home department, without the need of taking any additional hours that are distinct from already required coursework. To receive a certificate in “Computational Science and Engineering”, students must complete the required courses listed below. The Application courses are strongly recommended to be in the student’s primary field of study. The minimum coursework required is 12 hours and this fulfills the prerequisite for a CSE certification.
How to Add CSE Certificate:
Students currently enrolled in Statistics can register for the CSE undergraduate Certification Option by completing the CSE Registration Form before the completion of the course requirements.
Course Requirements:
| Topic | Course Number | Credit Hours |
| Programming | CS 101, CS 125 or equivalent | 3 |
| Scientific Computing | CS 357, STAT 428 or TAM 470 | 3 |
| Core /Application Coursework (minimum of two) | Stat 428, STAT 440, STAT 448, MATH 450, MATH 484, CS 420, ECE 408, STAT 391*, or any 400-level CSE course listed in: CSE Approved Courses | 6 (minimum) |
*STAT 391 must be approved by CSE steering committee representative (Feng Liang)
Receiving Certificate
Once you have completed the certification requirement, the student must submit a CSE Approval Form (must log in with university credentials). You are not eligible to elect this concentration if you have completed all the required coursework before you enroll in the concentration. Concentrations are not awarded retroactively. Certificates are issued three times per year: during the first weeks of December, May, and August.
LAS Honors Program
The mission of the James Scholar Program within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is to empower our students to be global citizens and global stewards; to enlighten them with deeper understanding of the diverse world in which they live; and to engage with the core values and responsibilities of moving toward a sustainable future.
There are two methods of entry into the James Scholar Program: invitation and self-nomination. The instructions vary depending on whether you’re an incoming freshman, transfer student, a current student at U of I, or an intercollegiate transfer student.