University of Southern California
USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences  
Department of Mathematics
UNDERGRADUATE: Degree Requirements
The USC Mathematics Department offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees in both Mathematics and in Applied Mathematics. Each degree allows sufficient choices of coursework to enable students to personalize their degree to prepare for their particular interests and goals, from work in industry or government, to graduate study. The Undergraduate Vice Chair of the department is happy to discuss the specific differences in the degrees offered and the plans and situation of any interested student to help them decide which degree in mathematics is most appropriate for them.

 

Minor in Statistics

This interdisciplinary minor should appeal to students from any discipline who are interested in acquiring a basic understanding of the mathematics underlying modern statistical analysis and inference techniques, in learning how to handle and analyze large data sets, and in gaining insight into the applications of modern statistics.  Students who complete this minor should be able to critically interpret statistically based conclusions, should be viable candidates for entry level positions requiring some knowledge of modern statistics and data analysis, and should be prepared to enter a graduate level program in applied statistics.  The only prerequisite for this minor is one semester of elementary calculus.

As with all minors, students must include at least four upper division courses and four courses dedicated exclusively to this minor (which may be the same four courses).  Finally, students must select four courses outside their major department.   These may be the same four courses used to meet the first two conditions.  The minor consists of 16 required units, 8 of which must come from either MATH 307 and 308, or MATH 407 and Math 408.  The remaining 8 units are electives and will typically be fulfilled by taking courses offered by departments other than Mathematics in the application of statistics.  However, these courses must be approved in advance by the Department of Mathematics. Note that Math B.A. and B.S. and B.S. Econ/Math students may complete this minor by taking Math 407 and Math 408 and at least 16 additional upper division units approved by the Department of Mathematics, which are not in their major department and not being used to satisfy a requirement for their major.  Note also that if calculus must be taken to satisfy the prerequisite for Math 307, 20 units would be required to complete the minor.

Requirements

MATH 307 Statistical Inference and Data Analysis I                           4 units
(prerequisite:  MATH 118 or 125)
and
MATH 308 Statistical Inference and Data Analysis II                          4 units
OR
MATH 407 Probability Theory                                                                   4 units
(prerequisite:  MATH 226)
and
MATH 408 Mathematical Statistics                                                          4 units
Electives*                                                                                                      8 units
Total                                                                                                              16 units

*Electives may be any upper division or graduate level classes involving the theory or application of statistics approved by the Department of Mathematics.  The Department of Mathematics maintains a list of currently pre-approved courses that students may choose from.