Mathematical Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in statistics

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semester		Hours
MATH 200	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	4
STAT 212	Concepts of Statistics (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) 1	3
UNIV 101	Introduction to the University	1
UNIV 111 Play course video for Focused Inquiry I	Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 1	3
General education course 2		3
	Term Hours:	14
Spring semester
HUMS 202	Choices in a Consumer Society	1
MATH 201	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	4
MATH 211	Mathematical Structures	3
UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II	Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 1	3
General education course 2		3
	Term Hours:	14
Sophomore year
Fall semester
MATH 307	Multivariate Calculus	4
STAT 305	Intermediate Statistics	3
UNIV 200	Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 1	3
Foreign language 101		3
General education course 2		3
	Term Hours:	16
Spring semester
MATH 310	Linear Algebra	3
STAT 321	Introduction to Statistical Computing	3
Foreign language 102		3
General education course 2		3
General education course 2		3
	Term Hours:	15
Junior year
Fall semester
STAT 309	Introduction to Probability Theory	3
Concentration elective		3
Experiential fine arts		1-3
Natural sciences sequence (select one of the following) 1		4-5
BIOL 151 & BIOZ 151	Introduction to Biological Sciences I and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I	-
CHEM 101 & CHEZ 101	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I	-
PHYS 201	General Physics I	-
PHYS 207	University Physics I	-
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	14-17
Spring semester
STAT 310	Introduction to Statistical Inference	3
Concentration electives		6
Natural sciences sequence (Select one of the following with appropriate matching course from previous semester.)		4-5
BIOL 152 & BIOZ 152	Introduction to Biological Sciences II and Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory II	-
CHEM 102 & CHEZ 102	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II	-
PHYS 202	General Physics II	-
PHYS 208	University Physics II	-
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	16-17
Senior year
Fall semester
SSOR 480	Consulting Using Advanced Analytics	3
SSOR 485	Career Planning and Professional Development for Statistics and Operations Research	1
Concentration electives		6
Natural sciences elective 3		3-5
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	16-18
Spring semester
Concentration elective		3
Open electives		12
	Term Hours:	15
	Total Hours:	120-126

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Accelerated B.S. and M.S.

The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. and M.S. in Mathematical Sciences with a concentration in statistics in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to nine hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 141 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of basic statistical concepts, probability and inference, general linear modeling, calculus, and linear algebra. They will know how to select appropriate samples and conduct appropriate experimental data collection methods. Additionally, students will be able to use statistical software packages to perform appropriate analysis of data, including knowledge of the assumptions associated with the procedures and how to determine the appropriate procedure to use. Students will know how to clearly and concisely present technical information in writing and through oral presentations. The program will also provide students with opportunities to participate in research projects, internships and other training programs where they develop the skills to evaluate, refine and apply what they learn in the classroom.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours including STAT 212, STAT 305, STAT 321, STAT 309 and STAT 310; an overall minimum GPA of 3.0; and a minimum GPA of 3.3 in mathematics and statistics course work. Students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may submit GRE scores to receive further consideration. The adviser of graduate studies for the mathematical sciences master’s program with a concentration in statistics will provide guidance of students in this program. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the faculty adviser to the statistics concentration of the M.S. program before they have completed 90 credits. Successful applicants would enter the program in the fall semester of their senior year.  

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate mathematical sciences adviser and the faculty adviser to the graduate program.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. Three reference letters (at least one from a Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research faculty member) must accompany the application.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences degree with concentration in statistics will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits may be used to satisfy required major electives or open elective credits for the undergraduate degree. Nine of these credits are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate statistics courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are in the table below.

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.