Statistics Major and Concentration Advising:
Daniel Rabinowitz; 1014 SSW; 851-2141; dan@stat.columbia.edu

Economics-Statistics Major Advising:
Economics: Susan Elmes, 1006 IAB; (212) 854-2194; se5@olumbia.eduStatistics: Daniel Rabinowitz, 1014 SSW; (212) 851-2141; dan@stat.columbia.edu

Mathematics-Statistics Major Advising:
Mathematics: Patrick Gallagher, 411 Mathematics; (212) 854-4346; pxg@math.columbia.edu
Statistics: Daniel Rabinowitz, 1014 SSW; (212) 851-2141; dan@stat.columbia.edu

Political Science—Statistics Major Advising:
Political Science: Robert Shapiro, 726 IAB; (212) 854-3944; rys2@columbia.edu
Statistics: Daniel Rabinowitz, 1014 SSW; (212) 851-2141; dan@stat.columbia.edu

Department Administrator:
Dood Kalicharan, 1003 SSW; (212) 851-2130; dk@stat.columbia.edu

Statistics Department Office:
1005 SSW (1255 Amsterdam Avenue); 851-2132

The department offers introductory survey courses, a concentration or minor in applied statistical methods, a major in statistics, and joint majors with mathematics, with economics, and with political science.  

The three survey courses serve as an introduction for consumers of statistics or for students considering going on to the concentration or the major. They vary in their mathematical sophistication: STAT W1001 is designed for students who have taken a pre-calculus course - and the emphasis is on general principles; STAT W1111 is designed for students with some mathematical maturity but who would prefer not to exercise their calculus - and the emphasis is on practical issues; STAT W1211 is designed for students who have taken some calculus - and the emphasis is on theory.

Four courses, STAT W2024, STAT W2025, STAT W2026, and STAT W3026, (together with any one of the introductory survey courses and one semester of research experience) form a concentration in applied statistics appropriate for students preparing for a career or future study where skills in data analysis are valued. 

The statistics major augments the practical training of the concentration with a comprehensive introduction to the mathematical and theoretical underpinnings of probability theory and statistical inference. Students interested in careers as statisticians or careers in finance or in actuarial science choose to major in statistics.

Advanced Placement

The department grants 3 credits for a score of 5 on the AP Statistics exam. Students who are required to take an introductory statistics for their major should check with their major adviser to determine if this credit provides exemption from their requirement. Please note that the Department of Economics does not allow this credit to provide exemption from the STAT W1211 major requirement.

Departmental Honors

To be considered for departmental honors in statistics, students must have a GPA of 3.65 or higher in the major, and have completed an undergraduate research project. Students may complete an undergraduate research project through the department's summer internship program in applied statistics, or by enrolling in STAT W3997. For departmental honors in a joint major, students must also meet the standard in the other department. Normally no more than 10 percent of the graduating majors in the department each year may receive departmental honors.

Summer Internship in Applied Statistics

Columbia College, Barnard College, SEAS, and General Studies students may apply to the department's summer internship program. The internship provides summer housing and a stipend. Students work with Statistics Department faculty mentors on applications of statistics. Applicants should send statement of interest and a transcript to Ms. Dood Kalicharan in the Statistics Department office by the first of April.  Please see the Department's Undergraduate Research Page.