Frequently Asked Questions about the Applied Statistics Minor program

1 Introduction

The Applied Statistics Minor is suitable for students whose major or specialist program is in a field outside of computer and mathematical sciences, but who would benefit from improving their statistical understanding beyond what is included in their other program. The courses in this program emphasize conceptual rather than mathematical understanding, as well as the use of software rather than hand-calculation or algebra (in STAC32 and above especially).

The Applied Statistics Minor is a limited program. Admission requirements are below (in the section “Admission to the Applied Statistics Minor”).

Specific questions you might have are listed below.

2 The Applied Statistics Minor and the Statistics Minor

The Applied Statistics Minor and Statistics Minor are two very different programs, intended for students with different preparations:

  • the Applied Statistics Minor is for students who have taken STAB22 and STAB27 (or an equivalent pair of courses such as PSYB07 & PSYC08, or MGEB11 & MGEB12), with a relatively limited mathematical background. The program is based on a conceptual and computational (with software) approach to the subject matter, and you will be expected to explain and justify your answers.

  • the Statistics Minor is for students who have taken STAB52 and STAB57 and who thus have a background in calculus. This program is based on mainly theoretical understanding of statistical methods, but a student who completes this program should be able to develop the practical skills needed in the real world.

The choice between programs therefore depends on which introductory Statistics courses you took.

If you try to take the “wrong” program based on your preparation, you will run into a lot of problems with course exclusions. This is especially true if you try to take the Applied Minor when you should be taking the Minor. A consequence of this is that you may end up with too few distinct credits to graduate. (Excluded courses, ones marked Extra on your transcript and in Degree Explorer, do not count as distinct credits.)

3 Program choice questions

  1. Can I take a Statistics Specialist/Major/Minor and an Applied Statistics Minor? No.
  2. Can I use STAB52 and/or STAB57 to satisfy any requirements for the Applied Statistics Minor? No. You should be taking the Statistics Minor instead. Note that this is also a limited program.
  3. I have taken MATA34, and also MGEB11 and MGEB12. Can I take the Applied Statistics Minor? Yes.
  4. I have taken, or plan to take, MATA30/A31 and MATA36/37. Should I take the Applied Statistics Minor? No. The Statistics Minor is a better fit for you.
  5. I have taken other first-year calculus courses, such as MATA29. Can I take the Applied Statistics Minor? If you want. You will need to take STAB22 (or equivalent) and STAB27 (or equivalent).
  6. I am taking a Computer Science Minor. Can I also take the Applied Statistics Minor? Yes.
  7. I am in Statistics Specialist, Major, Minor, or the Math Specialist, Statistics Stream. Can I also take the Applied Statistics Minor, or any of STAC32, STAC53, STAD29 for credit? No and no.
  8. I have questions about the Statistics Minor. Can I ask you? No. Email the Supervisor of Studies for that program.

4 Admission to the Applied Statistics Minor

  1. What is admission based on? Your grades in the two introductory Statistics classes in the program requirements (one course from List A and one course from List B: see below), as well as your cumulative GPA (CGPA) at the time of application.
  2. What are the courses in List A? STAB22, STAB23, PSYB07, MGEB11, STA220.
  3. What are the courses in List B? STAB27, PSYC08, MGEB12, STA221.
  4. How well do I need to do in these two courses? Work out your grade points in each course, and then average them. If this is 2.7 or above, you have achieved this requirement. For example, if you get 78 in one of your courses and 68 in the other, this is B+ (3.3 grade points) and C+ (2.3). These average to 2.8, which achieves the requirement.
  5. What else do I need? A CGPA (weighted average GPA over all your courses) of 2.50 or better when you apply.
  6. Why do I need these grades to get into the program? This is to ensure that the students we admit are best placed to succeed in the program, given the aptitude they have previously displayed. You should aim to meet the requirements by understanding the material in your courses from List A and List B, because that material will appear again in your other courses for the program, but at a higher level.
  7. How do I apply? Through ACORN, following the usual procedure for limited programs. There are usually two time periods during which you can apply, one ending in April and one ending in August.
  8. When do I hear back? Early May for the April application period, early September for the August application period.

5 Completing the Applied Statistics Minor

  1. How long does it take? Two academic years. Suggested timetable:
  • academic year 1 fall: STAB22 or equivalent, CSCA20
  • year 1 winter: STAB27 or equivalent (PSYC08 and MGEB12 are sometimes offered in the summer)
  • year 2 fall: STAC32, STAC53
  • year 2 winter: STAD29
  • as offered: your courses for the last requirement.
  1. What is the difference between STAB22, STAB23, PSYB07, and MGEB11? These are all first Statistics courses aimed at students with relatively little mathematics. PSYB07 and MGEB11 are intended for students in psychology and economics for management respectively. STAB23 is intended for students in the social sciences. STAB22 is for everybody else. I only recommend taking PSYB07, MGEB11, or STAB23 if you are in one of the programs that uses those courses specifically; you will find that those courses use examples from psychology, economics and the social sciences (respectively), and so if you are studying something else, you will find the course material confusing, and you do better to take the more general STAB22 (whose examples are from a variety of fields).
  2. Which second Statistics course should I take? Take the one that matches the first course you took: if you took PSYB07, take PSYC08; if you took MGEB11, take MGEB12; if you took STAB22 or STAB23, take STAB27. You may be able to take mis-matching courses, but if you do, you may find that material you need in your second course includes things you did not do in your first course.
  3. When should I do the Computer Science course? You should complete this before you take STAC32, because the ideas you see there will reappear in STAC32.
  4. Can I take another Computer Science course instead, apart from CSCA20? You can take the St George courses CSC 120 or CSC 121, which have the correct focus. If you must, you can take CSCA08 (this is listed as an option in Degree Explorer), but be aware that this course is for students intending to go into Computer Science and has the wrong focus for students in this program. The same considerations apply to the St George course CSC 108, which is not listed as an option in Degree Explorer, so you will need to email me to get permission to count CSC 108 for the program.
  5. My Degree Explorer says that I need STAC50, which I cannot get into, but the program requirements say STAC53. What should I do? You should take STAC53, and you should also email me with your student number so that I can change your Degree Explorer for you. (This is likely only relevant if you enrolled in the Applied Minor program some years ago.)
  6. Can I take STAB27 and STAC32 out of order to complete the program quicker? No. Prerequisites are enforced and you will be removed from STAC32 if you enrol. The same applies if you try to take STAD29 without having taken STAC32. Read the prerequisites carefully. The program is designed to take two academic years to complete. See “how long does it take?”.
  7. Can I substitute other courses for STAC32, STAC53, STAD29? You can take STA 304 in place of STAC53, but otherwise no. If you want to use STA 304, you need to email me so that I can update your Degree Explorer. You should also be aware that STA 304 has a prerequisite STA 255, which itself requires a calculus course (which could be MATA34).
  8. I am on the waitlist for a course. Can you enrol me in the course? No, absolutely not. Everybody on the waitlist wants to be in the course, and you will have to wait your turn. (This applies to all courses, not just the ones in this program.)
  9. I’m having trouble finding courses for requirement 5. Can I substitute something else? Maybe. The point of requirement 5 is that the two courses should have a significant quantitative component, for example actual math courses (such as calculus), or a course in or near your discipline that has a significant quantitative component. PSYC09 and GGRC42 are examples of other courses I would accept. If you wish me to consider another course beyond the ones listed in the Calendar or on your Degree Explorer, email me, if necessary making your case that the course in question has a significant quantitative compenent.
  10. I want to learn some SAS. Will I be learning that in any of your courses? No, not as they are currently arranged, but you might find this site useful. You will probably recognize the data sets used there, if you have taken any of my courses.