BA.MA.ST - Statistics & Data Science (Major)

Total credit requirements for a Statistics & Data Science major: 50 (36 in Mathematics and Statistics and at least 14 in Computer Science and elective courses)

• Required Mathematics Courses 

  • Mathematics 225, 240, and 260 

  • Mathematics 339 or 350 

  • Mathematics 497 or 498 

• Required Statistics Courses 

  • Mathematics 247, 248, 347, 349, and 438 

• Required Computer Science Courses 

  • Computer Science 215 and 218

• Additional Required Courses

  • At least six additional credits chosen from:

    • Astronomy 360

    • Biology 210

    • Chemistry 310

    • Computer Science 255, 267, 270, 327, 360, 372

    • Economics 325, 327, 350, 358, 479

    • Environmental Studies 207

    • Geology 418

    • Human-Centered Design 101

    • Library 100, 120

    • Philosophy 261

    • Physics 245

    • Psychology 410

    • Rhetoric, Writing & Public Discourse 225

    • Sociology 207 and 208 

• Senior Requirements 

  • Mathematics 497 or 498 

  • Senior assessment consisting of: 

  • Written exam in probability and statistics (taken in January) 

  • Oral exam over general and advanced topics in statistics (taken in March) 

• Honors 

  • Students do not apply for admission to candidacy for honors. 

  • Accumulated at least 87 credits 

  • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman 

  • Major GPA of at least 3.500 

  • Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program. 

  • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course. Pass the senior assessment with distinction. 

  • The Chair of the department will notify the Registrar of students attaining honors no later than the beginning of Week 12. 

  • An acceptable digital copy of the honors thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day. 

• Notes 

  • Students may not major in both Statistics and Data Science and Mathematics, Economics-Mathematics, or Mathematics-Physics. 

  • Students majoring in Statistics and Data Science may not minor in Data Science. Students considering graduate study in Statistics, Biostatistics, or related fields are strongly recommended to take Mathematics 455.