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Statistics

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Program Snapshot
School
School of Natural Sciences
Department
Mathematics
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Learn to Uncover Valuable Insights from Big Data

The ability to transform vast amounts of data into useful information is a crucial skill in our data-driven world. A minor in Statistics from St. Edward’s prepares you to use statistical methods to analyze real-world data, design experiments, present findings and create solutions to problems in almost any career field.

Why choose a Statistics minor?

With massive volumes of numerical data underpinning the global economy, jobs that require statistics and modeling are growing rapidly. This minor gives you significant experience with statistical theory and practice. It also provides the option to delve into machine learning and advanced computing. You’ll gain knowledge and skills that help prepare you for a broad range of high-tech and in-demand jobs, and to attend graduate school in analytical fields.

What majors does a Statistics minor complement?

A minor in Statistics is a strong choice for students studying the natural sciences, behavioral sciences and business, in which analyzing and leveraging data is vital to problem-solving and successful outcomes. 

For students majoring in Mathematics, a minor in Statistics gives you a specialization within the broader discipline of mathematics that can be applied across numerous areas of interest. Statistical methods are also foundational for many data analysis techniques, making this minor beneficial for students pursuing our Certificate in Data Analysis.

 

 

Explore Details About a Minor in Statistics

Students pursuing a minor in Statistics must complete the following six core courses plus one elective, totaling 24 credit hours.

Required Courses

  • Computing Science Concepts 1 – COSC 2413 (4 hours)
  • Calculus 1 – MATH 2413 (4 hours)
  •  Calculus 2 – MATH 2414 (4 hours)
  •  Introduction to Mathematical Statistics – MATH 3326 (3 hours)
  • Statistical Modeling – MATH 3337 (3 hours)
  • Probability Theory – MATH 3334 (3 hours)

Electives
Choose at least one:

  • Linear Algebra – MATH 3305 (3 hours)
  • Numerical and Scientific Methods – MATH 3338 (3 hours)
  •  Introduction to Data Science – MATH 3339 (3 hours)
  • Special Topics in Statistics – MATH 3335 (3 hours)

For course descriptions, view the current Undergraduate Bulletin (PDF).

Minoring in Statistics gives you a comprehensive understanding of statistical methods. It sharpens your critical thinking, a key skill in data-driven decision-making. The program’s core courses and electives are reinforced through practical applications and projects. You’ll learn to:

  • Identify and apply appropriate statistical models to analyze real-world data, recognizing the assumptions and limitations of each method, and critically evaluating the validity of conclusions drawn from the analysis.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in fundamental mathematical concepts that support statistical reasoning by solving relevant mathematical problems in statistics.
  • Utilize statistical software proficiently to explore, visualize and analyze data, producing clear, data-supported conclusions through hands-on projects and assignments.
  • Communicate statistical findings effectively through written reports, presentations and visualizations, ensuring clarity for both technical and non-technical audiences

The impact of statistical principles on society is far-reaching — from calculating population growth or predicting economic business trends to measuring the effects of environmental pollution or analyzing the effectiveness of a new drug treatment.

Accordingly, the need for professionals with the mathematical and statistical expertise to inspect, analyze, visualize and make conclusions from data is accelerating across industries, including healthcare, engineering, finance, government, marketing and technology. 

Increased demand is seen in the rise of statistician, data scientist and data analyst roles, as well as related careers such as business analyst, biostatistician, quantitative analyst, marketing research analyst and more.

Faculty at St. Edward’s bring a wealth of expertise and industry experience to the classroom. They are passionate about connecting and cultivating lifelong learners, and many are involved with professional organizations and business communities that students can leverage as they pursue internships or full-time employment.

View a list of our faculty members on the Department of Mathematics webpage. Learn about their credentials, and feel free to contact them for more details about the minor in Statistics program.

Michael Zamora
Adjunct Faculty
Email Michael Zamora

Applied Data Science

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Program Snapshot
Program Type
Bachelor of Science
School
School of Natural Sciences
Department
Mathematics
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Become a Data-Driven Decision Maker

The speed and volume of data creation are rapidly escalating, making research and analysis in big data a highly sought-after skill set. Our Applied Data Science program at St. Edward’s prepares you to enter this field with confidence, ready and able to tackle complex problems using data, machine learning and artificial intelligence. 

As a student in this program, you’ll build a strong foundation of analytical skills using computing, statistics, data science and mathematics, while specializing your degree with a minor in a field that suits your interests. Learn how data science can help organizations extract meaningful insights that guide smart decisions and help transform the world for the better. 

The demand for data science is projected to grow by 21% between 2021 and 2031.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Why earn your Applied Data Science degree at St. Edward’s?

Whether you plan to enter the workforce as a data scientist or analyst in the corporate, nonprofit or government sectors, or pursue a graduate degree, one thing is certain: Your St. Edward’s education will prepare you to succeed. You’ll find opportunities inside and outside of the classroom to learn, give back and achieve your goals. Moreover, your mentors will support you every step of the way.

Build relationships with your professors

You’ll learn in small classes taught by award-winning professors with years of academic and industry experience. They’ll make a point of getting to know you, help you identify and focus on your goals, and provide guidance and insight during and after your college years.

Pair your Applied Data Science major with a minor of your choosing

All Applied Data Science students will choose a minor to pair with their major. This will allow you to build expertise in an additional area to which you can apply your newly acquired skills in data science.

Complete a real-world project related to your minor

Engage in independent and faculty-mentored research in the university’s state-of-the-art Advance Computing Lab. You’ll build a comprehensive Capstone project that you can share with potential employers and graduate schools to showcase your expertise and skills. 

Join a like-minded community of problem-solvers

The St. Edward’s Computer Science and Math clubs bring together students who share a passion for computer science, math and data science. Through meetups, workshops and events, students have fun learning from one another while collaborating on exciting projects that help build their résumés. 

Cultivate professional skills through internships

As an Applied Data Science major, you’ll have access to the funding programs, including paid internships, offered exclusively to STEM students at St. Edward’s by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4). Leverage the university’s partnerships in the Austin area to network and secure internships.

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Reap the Rewards of Austin

Austin is a hotspot for technology startups, mid-size companies, government agencies, nonprofits and industry giants such as AMD, Google, IBM, Apple, Amazon, Dell, Tesla and Samsung. As an Applied Data Science major, you can explore career paths and practical application of your studies through internships and interactions within the greater Austin community. 

Explore Details About the BS in Applied Data Science

Degree Plan

Major Requirements:
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Data Science requires 54 hours of Applied Data Science major courses, including courses in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and philosophy. Additionally, students will select any minor (or second major) at St. Edward’s to pair with their Applied Data Science coursework.

General Education Requirements: 
In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach or academic advisor about which courses are right for you.

View and download the full degree plan for the BS in Applied Data Science major (PDF).

Curriculum

  • The BS in Applied Data Science will consist of 15 core courses plus one elective and a minor of the student’s choosing, for a total of 72 to 81 credit hours.
  • Core courses are drawn from the departments of Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Philosophy.
  • Elective courses are drawn from the same departments, and the minor can be any minor that allows at least 9 unique credit hours. Currently this only excludes the Statistics minor.

Innovations in Teaching

  • In Introduction to Data Analysis (MATH 2327), Introduction to Data Science (MATH 3339) and Data Science at Scale (MATH 4340), you’ll apply your skills to team projects with real data and important questions. Build a portfolio of impressive work to show to potential employers.
  • Utilize both R and Python for data analysis, machine learning and statistical modeling across a variety of courses.
  • Complete a Capstone project related to your chosen minor in Data Science at Scale (MATH 4340). Build an end-to-end project that you can share with the world to demonstrate your expertise and skills.

Our Applied Data Science degree ensures you’ll graduate with a strong résumé that showcases your knowledge and skills. 

What You Will Learn

  • Apply appropriate techniques (such as sourcing, cleaning, preparing, analyzing and visualizing) to make decisions using large datasets.
  • Recommend and defend business and scientific decisions based on analysis and modeling of data, and present these decisions to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Explain the mathematical underpinnings of machine and deep learning models (derivatives, integrals, matrices, probability distributions), as well as their practical usage.
  • Implement computer science techniques such as control structures, object-oriented programming, data structures and algorithms.
  • Demonstrate creating, reading, updating and deleting records in databases, as well as using databases for machine learning models.
  • Students in Data Science at Scale (MATH 4340) will learn how to:
    • Utilize cloud computing to fit and evaluate machine learning models
    • Develop an API to interact with cloud-based models
    • Develop a graphical front-end to interact with cloud-based models

Skills You Will Gain

  • Explore, analyze and visualize data using industry-standard tools and techniques.
  • Create data-driven presentations and convey complex data-driven conclusions to a broad audience.
  • Build and evaluate statistical and machine learning models using both R and Python.
  • Learn core computing concepts, including object-oriented programming, interacting with databases, and programming for the web.
  • Scale models to handle hundreds of millions of rows of data, build pipelines to interact with outside data sources, interact with large language models, and build graphical front-ends for sharing your work.

 

 

As an Applied Data Science graduate, you'll be prepared to take on the role of a data analyst, data scientist or analyst in fields related to your chosen minor. Past data science students have been employed as financial analysts, AI/ML data scientists, data analysts and data scientists. Interested in expanding your expertise by earning a master’s or PhD in data science? This degree puts you on a solid path to pursuing an advanced degree.

Faculty at St. Edward’s bring a wealth of expertise and industry experience to the classroom. They are passionate about connecting and cultivating lifelong learners, and many are involved with professional organizations and business communities that students can leverage as they pursue internships or full-time employment.

View a list of our faculty members on the Department of Mathematics webpage. Learn about their credentials, and feel free to contact them for more details about the Applied Data Science program.

Frances Wells
Adjunct Faculty
Email Frances Wells
Morea Lee
Adjunct Faculty
Email Morea Lee
Ahmad Talafha
Asst Professor of Mathematics
Office: South - John Brooks Williams 374
Email Ahmad Talafha
Christine Staab
Asst Teaching Professor of Developmental Math
Phone:
Office: South - John Brooks Williams 390
Email Christine Staab

Data Analysis

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Program Snapshot
School
School of Natural Sciences
Department
Mathematics
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Strengthen Your Major and Job Prospects

More and more businesses need data scientists, data analysts, biostatisticians and quantitative analysts. Graduate prepared for these positions with the Certificate in Data Analysis. 

Graduates with this certification will have the skills to source, analyze, interpret and visualize large data sets and build predictive models using the best practices from the field of data science.

Students in any field of study at St. Edward’s University can earn the certification while pursuing their undergraduate degree. Certification requires taking a four-course sequence, followed by an internship.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Data Analysis certification will have their academic transcripts annotated as having earned this certification — and be able to show future employers their expertise. They’ll graduate with the experience and ability to:

  • Source, clean, prepare, analyze, visualize and make decisions using large datasets.
  • Work with datasets from multiple disciplines.
  • Recommend business and scientific decisions based on analysis and modeling of data.
  • Present these decisions to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Understand the strengths and weaknesses of the most common machine-learning models

Certificate Requirements

Complete the following general education courses:

  • Computational Skills I or Computing Science Concepts I (3–4 hours)
  • Applied Statistics, Biostatistics or Business Statistics (3 hours)
  • Introduction to Data Analysis (3 hours)
  • Introduction to Data Science (4 hours)
  • Internship or upper-division course with comparable practicum experience (1–3 hours)

Undergraduate

Mathematics

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Program Type
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
School
School of Natural Sciences
Department
Mathematics
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Pursue Your Passion for Problem-Solving

As a Mathematics major, you’ll be part of a community of students and professors who value creativity and the courage to tackle difficult, unsolved problems. 

Deepen your understanding of calculus, modern algebra, physics and statistics, and build your programming and computational skills in applied computer science courses. You’ll leave St. Edward’s ready to continue your education in graduate school or immediately begin your career in engineering, statistics, finance, cryptography, aeronautics, scientific research or business.

Why earn your Mathematics degree at St. Edward’s?

Whatever field you choose to enter as a math major — from urban development to market research to computer technology to accounting to teaching — one thing is certain: The advantages of your St. Edward’s education will prepare you to succeed. You’ll find opportunities in and outside the classroom to learn, give back and achieve your goals. And your mentors will support you every step of the way.

Build relationships with your professors

You’ll learn in small classes taught by award-winning professors who make a point of getting to know you and becoming your trusted advisors. They’ll help you identify and focus on your goals, and provide guidance and insight during your college years and after you graduate.

Conduct innovative research

You’ll engage in faculty-mentored research using the university’s state-of-the-art computer infrastructure, software and data storage, or in full-time, fully funded summer research programs at St. Edward’s or other major universities. And you’ll be encouraged to present your work at conferences and for publication.

Gain knowledge as a teaching assistant

You’ll have the chance to serve as a teaching assistant for introductory classes and lead study sessions, or be a tutor in the Math Club. You’ll enhance your leadership, communication and people skills — all while helping fellow students learn the material.

Get involved in the professional math community

The Mathematics Association of America student chapter on campus opens doors to internships, research opportunities, social events, math conferences and career paths in mathematics. You’ll connect with people who love math as much as you do.

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Reap the Rewards of Austin

Austin is a fast-growing technology hub and vibrant center of research and innovation. As a Mathematics major, you can network at international math conferences held in the city each semester, and explore career options and internships within the greater Austin community.

What do our graduates do?

Mathematics majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here's a sample of career options:

  • Data analyst for Apple
  • Procurement analyst for SpaceX
  • Data analyst for the National Security Agency
  • Mechanical designer at Fugro Oil & Energy Company
  • Full stack developer at T3
  • Graduate research fellow at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
  • PhD candidates in Mathematics at The University of Texas at Austin, Human & Statistical Genetics at Washington University, and Physics at Vanderbilt University and Case Western Reserve University
  • Master’s students in mathematics at Emory University, the ESTEEM Graduate Program for entrepreneurship at the University of Notre Dame, mechanical engineering at Purdue University and University of Texas, statistics and data science at the University of Houston, and education and school leadership at Harvard University.

Explore Details About a Degree in Mathematics

Students pursuing a degree in Mathematics have two options to choose from. This helpful course map shows the sequence of prerequisites in the department.

1. Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics

This program provides a comprehensive exploration of mathematics that prepares students for advanced programs or professional careers. This option offers more latitude in the choice of general electives and is appropriate for students seeking a double major or minor.

Major Requirements: The BA in Mathematics requires 56–59 hours of Mathematics major courses, including supporting courses in subjects such as Computer Science or Physics.

General Education Requirements: In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.

View and download the full degree plan for the BA in Mathematics major (PDF).

2. Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

This program includes the same coursework as the Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics but with two additional semesters of laboratory science. This option explores calculus, modern algebra and other advanced topics in their purest form. Additionally, students learn to design and interpret prediction models for diverse industries, such as aeronautics, urban development and green energy.

Major Requirements: The BS in Mathematics requires 67–70 hours of Mathematics major courses, including supporting courses in subjects such as Computer Science, Physics and Biology.

General Education Requirements: In addition to the major program requirements, all students must satisfy the general education requirements. Talk with your success coach and faculty advisor about which courses are right for you.

View and download the full degree plan for the BS in Mathematics major (PDF).

Questions about placement into Mathematics courses? Refer to our placement guide for more information.

The Department of Mathematics also offers a dual degree option in Mathematics and Engineering.

What You Will Learn and Skills You Will Gain

Our Mathematics degree ensures that you’ll graduate with a strong résumé that showcases your knowledge and skills. Here’s a sample what you’ll learn:

  • Refine your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
  • Deepen your understanding of calculus, modern algebra, physics and statistics.
  • Build your programming and computational skills in applied computer science courses.
  • Sharpen your skills in oral and written communication. 
  • Conduct rigorous research independently and in teams.
  • Present your research findings in a manner appropriate to the audience, including oral presentations and the writing of experiments, research manuscripts, poster presentations and research proposals.
  • Collaborate effectively with peers and professionals.

Experiential Learning

A core component of the St. Edward’s Mathematics program is a four-semester sequence of research courses. In these classes, you’ll conduct open-ended research on unsolved problems individually with faculty members. You’ll present your findings at regional and national professional conferences, where you’ll meet other mathematicians and learn about graduate-school options and careers in your field.

Mathematics majors participate in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematics Competition, the preeminent math competition for undergraduates worldwide. A typical competition involves two 3-hour sessions in which students solve 12 problems. Thousands of math majors nationwide score 0 points every year due to the hyper-strict grading scale, so any positive score is a noteworthy accomplishment. In the past decade, four students from St. Edward’s have earned a positive score on the exam.

Teaching Assistantships

Strong students with an interest in teaching and mentoring can serve as teaching assistants for introductory classes. At St. Edward’s, all classes are taught by professors, but student teaching assistants help tutor and lead study sessions. You’ll expand your communication and people skills by helping other students learn the material. If you’re interested in teaching, you could also become a tutor in the Math Lab.

Research

As part of your coursework at St. Edward’s, you’ll complete four semesters of research. You’ll have the option to further develop this research and present your findings at conferences and for publication. Recently, Mathematics majors have studied the following:

  • Mathematical analysis of lottery voting
  • Dark energy, the force that causes the universe to expand
  • Detecting whether congressional districts are racially gerrymandered
  • The effects of storm-related electrical changes on tropospheric ozone levels

Most math majors travel to at least one conference during their time at St. Edward’s. These include:

  • Texas Undergraduate Mathematics Conference
  • Joint Mathematics Meetings of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America
  • MAA Texas Section Meeting
  • Mathfest
  • National Conference for McNair Scholars and Undergraduate Research

Outstanding students have been selected for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), in which they join the lab of a professor at a major research university over a summer. These experiences help you decide if a research career is right for you. In recent years, Mathematics majors have completed these REUs:

  • Deep learning – specifically, teaching computers to identify the content of an image — at the Center for Imaging Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Research in the Mathematical Biosciences Institute Program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to other research projects led by your professors. During Hurricane Harvey, which battered southern Texas in August 2017, several Mathematics majors, along with Natural Sciences professors and staff, collected meteorological data with weather balloons. They released 13 weather balloons that collected data used by the National Weather Services to create forecasts during the hurricane. Some of the students who participated also wrote code to automate the computation of data collected from the balloons and to visually display the data in graphs.

Internships 

You’ll also be encouraged to complete an internship to apply your mathematical skills in a professional context. Mathematics majors have recently interned at the following organizations:

  • Exxon
  • Molecular Rebar Design
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • National Ecological Observatory Network
  • Department of Homeland Security STEM Summer Internship Program
  • Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
  • SpaceX

As a student in the Mathematics program, you are afforded access to the funding programs, including paid internships, offered exclusively to STEM students at St. Edward’s University by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4). For more information on these programs please visit the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) on the web.

Student Organizations

The St. Edward’s Math Club is a student chapter of the Mathematics Association of America. Members have traveled together to regional mathematics conferences, presented math concepts and helped with science fairs at local schools, and participated in the global MegaMenger collaborative fractal build. The club also hosts student and alumni research talks and serves as a forum for social events like Halloween pumpkin carving, bowling, laser tag and pizza parties.

The St. Edward’s Maker Club attracts tinkerers and programmers who have worked on projects involving 3-D printing, soldering, programming LED strips, and creating art through programming.

Students minoring in Mathematics must satisfactorily complete the following courses in addition to 6 hours of electives:

Required Courses:

  • Calculus I, Lab
  • Calculus II
  • Calculus III
  • Linear Algebra
  • Differential Equations

Elective Courses:

  • Discrete Mathematics or Inquiry and Proof
  • MATH 3000+ upper-division courses (excluding 4150 and 4157)

Are you a current student? Contact your advisor for the next steps in declaring your major or minor.

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Mathematics webpage.

Department of Mathematics

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