5. B.A in Statistics & Data Science

Undergraduate Requirements Archive → 2025/2026 Undergraduate Requirements - under construction → B.A in Statistics & Data Science

The information and requirements given here apply to the 2025–2026 catalog. For other catalog years, please consult the archive.

Statistics and Data Science Supporting Requirements

The following requirements are part of the B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) degree, but as supporting requirements, do not count in the major units or GPA.

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate fourth semester proficiency in a second language for the B.A. degree.

Minor Requirement

SDS majors are required to complete a minor in any subject outside of the math department. A second major outside our department may fulfill this requirement provided it is declared within the same B.A. degree.

Supporting Python Programming Course Requirement

All SDS majors are required to complete a computer programming course in Python, regardless of the degree selected. Enrollment in DATA 363 requires successful completion of a Python programming course, so students have programming background to help them pick up R and to ensure they are getting Python experience along the way. Choose one course:^(*)

CSC 110— Introduction to Computer Programming I
ISTA 130— Computational Thinking and Doing

^(*)Either CSC 110 or ISTA 130 is recommended for most students; CSC 120 or CSC 250 will also satisfy the requirement if available. As an alternative, qualified students may complete both ((ECE 175 or ECE 101) AND BE 205) or both ((ECE 175 or ECE 101) AND CHEE 205). Contact the Math Center if you need any of these alternative courses pulled into your advisement report.

Supporting Data Management/SQL Requirement

SDS graduates applying for jobs will find that SQL and Data Management skills are important. Enrollment in DATA 363 requires completion of or concurrent enrollment in a course that teaches SQL and Data Management. These skills will be helpful as students work on their projects in DATA 363. Take one course:

ISTA 322— Data Engineering

Statistics & Data Science Major Requirements

$prerequisite flowchart for SDS major (click image for downloadable PDF)$

Core Courses

MATH 122A AND MATH 122B ⁽¹⁾ or MATH 125— Calculus I
MATH 129— Calculus II
DATA 201 — Foundations of Data Science^(*)
MATH 263 — Introduction to Statistics and Biostatistics
MATH 313 — Introduction to Linear Algebra ⁽²⁾
DATA 363— Introduction to Statistical Methods ⁽³⁾
DATA 375— Introduction to Statistical Computing
DATA 467 — Applied Linear Models ⁽⁴⁾
DATA 474— Introduction to Statistical Machine Learning
DATA 498A — Capstone for Statistics and Data Science ⁽⁵⁾
One statistics major elective (upper or lower-division)
Two upper-division statistics major electives.

^(*)DATA 201 is a new Building Connections General Education course. Up to 3 courses may count to fulfill General Education Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections requirements as well as major, pre-major, minor, and/or certificate requirements.

⁽¹⁾MATH 122A and MATH 122B are a single-semester sequence of courses that cover Calculus I.

⁽²⁾Either MATH 313 or MATH 310 may be used to fulfill this requirement in the SDS major. However, please note that 310 is no longer offered at UArizona. Students who completed MATH 215 prior to fall 2015 or who have transfer credit equivalent to MATH 215 will still fulfill this requirement, though they will not earn upper-division credit for the course.

⁽³⁾ As of Fall 2024, the enrollment requirements for DATA 363 have changed. Students must complete MATH 129 and a Python course (CSC 110 or ISTA 130) prior to 363. In addition, MATH 313 and an SQL course (ISTA 322) must either be complete or in-progress in the same term as 363.

⁽⁴⁾DATA 467 is offered in-person in fall semesters. Provided we have sufficient enrollment, we plan to offer it online each spring.

⁽⁵⁾ DATA 498A will usually be taken in a fall semester.

$prerequisite flowchart for SDS major (click image for downloadable PDF)$

Statistics & Data Science Major Elective Courses

The SDS major requires three elective courses, at least two of which must be upper-division. The courses that will be accepted toward this requirement are listed below.

Course options:

DATA 367— Statistical Methods in Sports Analytics
DATA 396T— Topics in Undergraduate Statistics & Data Science⁽¹⁾
DATA 412 — Linear Algebra for Data Science
DATA 439 — Statistical Natural Language Processing
DATA 462— Financial Math
DATA 468— Applied Stochastic Processes
DATA 496T— Advanced Topics in Undergraduate Statistics & Data Science⁽¹⁾
DATA 498H — Honors Thesis⁽²⁾
GEOG 457 — Statistical Techniques in Geography, Regional Development and Planning
INFO 402— Data Ethics
ISTA 320— Applied Data Visualization
ISTA 321— Data Mining and Discovery
ISTA 410— Bayesian Modeling and Inference
MATH 223— Vector Calculus
MATH 464— Theory of Probability
MATH 466— Theory of Statistics
PHIL 206 — Ethics of Artificial Intelligence⁽³⁾
PHIL 346 — Minds, Brains and Computers
PHIL 455 — Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence
SIE 440— Survey of Optimization Methods
WFSC 223 — Dealing With Data in the Wild⁽³⁾

⁽¹⁾DATA 396T and 496T are special topics courses. When available, they will usually be offered in spring, and topics covered will vary. Consult our website for details and availability.

⁽²⁾One semester of DATA 498H (Honors Thesis) may be used toward SDS major requirements. Enrollment is restricted to students in the Franke Honors College; consult your Honors advisor for details and to create a plan for graduating with honors.

⁽³⁾Up to 3 courses may count to fulfill General Education Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections requirements as well as major, pre-major, minor, and/or certificate requirements.

For an example of how to order your coursework to heed prerequisites and meet all degree requirements, please consult the sample 4-year plans. You will develop an individualized plan in consultation with your faculty advisor. Students planning to enroll in three MATH/DATA courses in a single semester are advised to talk to their math department faculty advisor before finalizing their schedule. The Math Department requires that students enrolling in four or more MATH/DATA courses for a single term obtain permission from their math department faculty advisor. Note that special courses like Supplemental Instruction, Workshops, Teaching Assistantship enrollment, and Pedagogy courses for the Secondary Math Education Program are not counted toward this limit.

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