Minor in Statistics

Program Learning Outcomes for the Minor in Statistics 

Upon completing the minor in Statistics, students will be able to:

  1. Apply and demonstrate a foundational knowledge in fundamental theory in probability and statistical inference.
  2. Apply and demonstrate a foundational knowledge in evaluating statistical models.
  3. Apply and demonstrate a foundational knowledge in statistical computing for data analysis and data science. 

Requirements for the Minor in Statistics

Students pursuing the minor in Statistics must complete:

  • A minimum of 6 courses (19-20 credit hours, depending on course selection) to satisfy minor requirements.
  • A minimum of 4 courses (12 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.
  • A maximum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) from study abroad or transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab. 
  • The requirements for one area of specialization (see below for areas of specialization). The Statistics minor offers two areas of specialization:
    • Area of Specialization: Track A: designed for mathematically sophisticated students who wish to understand not only how statistical methods are used, but also how they are developed, or
    • Area of Specialization: Track B: designed to help students develop a working knowledge of statistics and the wide range of possibilities for the use and misuse of statistical methods.

The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this minor. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the minor’s academic advisor, or where applicable, the Program Director. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the minor's Official Certifier). Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.

Summary

Total Credit Hours Required for the Minor in Statistics19-20

Minor Requirements

Area of Specialization
Select 1 from the following Areas of Specialization (see Areas of Specialization below):19-20
Track A
Track B
Total Credit Hours19-20

Area of Specialization: Track A

Students must complete the 6 courses (19-20 credit hours total, depending on course selection) as listed below to satisfy the requirements for the Track A area of specialization. 

Core Requirements
Select 1 course from the following:3-4
PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
HONORS PROBABILITY AND MATHEMATICAL STATISTICS
PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR DATA SCIENCE
STAT 405R FOR DATA SCIENCE3
STAT 410LINEAR REGRESSION4
Elective Requirements
Select 3 electives from departmental (STAT) course offerings at the 300-level or above. 19
Total Credit Hours19-20
Footnotes and Additional Information 

Area of Specialization: Track B

Students must complete the 6 courses (19-20 credit hours total, depending on course selection) as listed below to satisfy the requirements for the Track B area of specialization. 

Core Requirements
STAT 280ELEMENTARY APPLIED STATISTICS4
or STAT 180 AP/OTH CREDIT IN STATISTICS
or STAT 305 INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS FOR BIOSCIENCES
STAT 385METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS AND SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION3-4
or DSCI 101 INTRODUCTION TO DATA SCIENCE
Elective Requirements
Select 4 electives from departmental (STAT) course offerings at the 300-level or above. 112
Total Credit Hours19-20
Footnotes and Additional Information 

Policies for the Minor in Statistics  

Program Restrictions and Exclusions

Students pursuing the minor in Statistics should be aware of the following program restriction:

  • As noted in Majors, Minors, and Certificates, i.) students may declare their intent to pursue a minor only after they have first declared a major, and ii.) students may not major and minor in the same subject.

Transfer Credit 

For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. The Office of Academic Advising maintains the university’s official list of transfer credit advisors on their website: https://oaa.rice.edu. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic program’s transfer credit advisor when considering transfer credit possibilities. 

Departmental Transfer Credit Guidelines

Students pursuing the minor in Statistics should be aware of the following departmental transfer credit guidelines:

  • No more than 2 courses (6 credit hours) of transfer credit from U.S. or international universities of similar standing as Rice may apply towards the minor.
  • Requests for transfer credit will be considered by the program director (and/or the program’s official transfer credit advisor) on an individual case-by-case basis.

Additional Information 

For additional information, please see the Statistics website: https://statistics.rice.edu/.

Opportunities for the Minor in Statistics 

Academic Honors

The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate’s academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work. Some departments have department-specific Honors awards or designations.

Internship and Research Opportunities

The Department of Statistics encourages its major and minors to participate the practice of statistics through summer internships, employment and research. Information on current opportunities are posted on the Undergraduate Programs tab of the department website. Students can also approach individual faculty about research opportunities in their group. An undergraduate advisor can talk with you about these and other possibilities. 

Additional Information 

For additional information, please see the Statistics website: https://statistics.rice.edu/.