The Department of Applied Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in statistics and data science through the College of Arts and Sciences. The BA degree is designed with an emphasis on inter- and cross-disciplinary training, and is intended to prepare students for a wide range of careers in areas such as statistics, data analytics, data science, business, engineering, economics, public health, epidemiology, insurance, forestry, psychology, social justice and human rights.

Courses at the undergraduate level are designed to provide foundational skills in both traditional statistical methods and cutting-edge data analysis techniques. These skills are in high demand in the current job market and prepare students for desirable careers in statistics and data science. Statisticians and data scientists are often involved in interdisciplinary work; the BA degree requires in-depth training in some area of science, engineering, social science or liberal arts that uses statistics to solve important problems. This knowledge prepares graduates to successfully communicate and collaborate with practitioners in these fields. A capstone course in statistical collaboration provides the opportunity for students to synthesize their previous coursework.

The Department of Applied Math offers a broad range of undergraduate research opportunities funded by a variety of federal agencies. Working with faculty, students interested in statistics and data science have developed solutions to various problems in fluids, dynamical systems, data analysis, probability and statistics, networks, signal processing, math biology, math education and numerics.  Students can gain professional exposure through the student chapter of the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) or through the Data Buffs, the student chapter of the American Statistical Association. Applied Math also has a local chapter of AWM, the Association for Women in Mathematics. 

Outside Area of Emphasis/Application

Students will choose an outside area of emphasis/application to acquire knowledge in a discipline-specific area, where statistical applications are prevalent. Students will take a minimum of 18 credits in a department or certificate program outside of APPM/STAT, including a minimum of 6 credits at the upper-division level. Final course selection will be made in consultation with advisors and faculty from the departments, as well as faculty advisors within the Department of Applied Mathematics.

Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA)

After learning the communication and collaboration skills necessary to help domain experts answer their research, business or policy questions, students have the opportunity to join LISA to gain additional practical experience. Students will collaborate with a variety of researchers around campus and in the community to apply statistics and data science to solve real problems. Students in LISA will also work with graduate students and faculty to engage in outreach activities to improve statistics and data science skills and literacy in the wider community.

Requirements

Content Knowledge

Students completing the undergraduate degree in statistics and data science will be broadly knowledgeable in the following areas:

  • Mathematics, statistics and data science
    • Foundational knowledge in the areas of mathematics, statistics and data science that are most important to the analysis of data.
    • Statistical intuition and thinking.
    • Skills to write efficient, reproducible code related to data analysis in at least two programming languages (e.g., R, Python, C/C++, Julia, MATLAB, etc.).
    • Skills necessary to complete complex data analysis projects.
  • A domain of application
    • The ability to utilize their knowledge of mathematics, statistics and computing to develop algorithms and apply methods for solving real-world data analysis problems.
    • The ability to contribute to at least one domain of application as data scientists.
  • Professional skills in communication, collaboration and ethics
    • The ability to effectively communicate statistical results to experts and non-experts.
    • The ability to effectively collaborate with domain experts.
    • The ability to think critically about the relationship between data, ethics, and society.

Student Outcomes 

By the completion of the program, students will be able to:

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)

The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).

Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a standalone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.

BA in Statistics and Data Science, MS in Applied Mathematics

Admissions Requirements

In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete a minimum of 6 credits (two courses) of STAT coursework at the 3000 or 4000 level.
  • Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 in all APPM and STAT coursework. If a student's cumulative GPA or APPM/STAT GPA is between 3.0 and 3.4, then one letter of reference is required. The letter can be written either by a faculty member or by a student’s undergraduate academic advisor. The letter should justify why the student should be considered for admission into the program and should attest to the student's ability to complete the MS program.
  • Have at least junior class standing.

Program Requirements

Students may take up to and including 12 credit hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six credit hours may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.

Though not required for admission, students must complete APPM 4440 Undergraduate Applied Analysis 1 before they graduate with their BA.

Please see the BAM degree program web page for more information.