School of Mathematics and Statistics Te Kura Mātai Tatauranga

Planning Your Degree: Statistics and Operations Research

In the disciplines of Statistics and Operations Research, the School offers four 3-year BSc degrees: Statistics, Applied Statistics, Operations Research, and Management Science. The Statistics major focuses primarily on the theoretical aspects of the discipline, which are necessary to establish why particular methods are appropriate for analysis and inference concerning certain types of data. A major in Statistics also requires MATH courses to 200 level. The major in Applied Statistics emphasises the use of particular statistical techniques, as appropriate for data encountered in a variety of applications. A major in Applied Statistics is a useful complement to a major in Statistics or in disciplines such as Psychology, Ecology & Biodiversity or other biological or social sciences. Operations Research and Management Science majors focus on the techniques required to build and analyse models of systems, to aid scientific decision-making.

BSc Degrees

Statistics

The requirements for a major in Statistics for students starting from 2009 onwards are:
  1. MATH 142, MATH 151 and STAT 131 (or a comparable background in 100-level Mathematics and Statistics)
  2. Course:MATH206stargold, Course:MATH207stargold, STAT 231, and 15 further points from STAT 201 - 299
  3. STAT 331 and at least 30 further points from courses labelled STAT 300-399 plus 15 further points from STAT, OPRE, MATH or QUAN 300 level courses.

stargold Due to the changes through the system the courses that will be offered in later years will differ somewhat from those appearing in this website.
HELP To complete the degree you need an additional 15 points at 300 level, with at least 360 points in total, of which at least 210 points must be from 200- and 300-level courses.

Students who started their degree before 2009 may complete under the old rules:
  1. MATH 113, MATH 114 and STAT 131 (or a comparable background in 100-level Mathematics and Statistics)
  2. MATH 206, MATH 207 and STAT 231
  3. STAT 331 and at least 24 further points from courses labelled STAT 300 - 399.

HELP To complete the degree you need an additional 24 points at 300 level, with at least 360 points in total, of which at least 180 points must be from 200- and 300-level courses.

Applied Statistics

The requirements for a major in Applied Statistics for students starting from 2009 onwards are:
  1. STAT 193 or QUAN 102 and a further 15 100-level points in MATH, STAT or QUAN
  2. STAT 292, STAT 293, and a further 30 points from 200-level MATH, STAT, or OPRE, BIOL/ENVI 222, ENVI/GEOG 214, GEOG 215, LING 211, 330, MGMT 206, PSYC 325, PUBL 306, QUAN 201, 203, SPOL 205, 207.
  3. STAT 338, STAT 392, STAT 393 and 15 further points from PSYC 325, LING 327-329, STAT, OPRE or MATH at 300 level.

HELP To complete the degree you need an additional 15 points at 300 level, with at least 360 points in total, of which at least 210 points must be from 200- and 300-level courses. Requirement 2 above may be replaced by an approved combination of relevant courses at 200 level or above.

Students who started their degree before 2009 may complete under the (slightly modified) old rules:
  1. STAT 193 or QUAN 102 and a further 15 100 level points in MATH, STAT or QUAN
  2. STAT 291, STAT 338 and STAT 392
  3. At least 15 points from 200-level STAT, OPRE, MATH, BIOL/GEOL 214, BIOL/ENVI 222, ENVI/GEOG 214, GEOG 215, LING 211, 325, MAOR 210, MGMT 206, PSYC 232, 325, PUBL 306, QUAN 201, 202, 203, SOSC 203, 212, SPOL 205, 207, STAT 339.

HELP To complete the degree you need an additional 24 points at 300 level, with at least 360 points in total, of which at least 180 points must be from 200- and 300-level courses. Requirement 3 above may be replaced by an approved combination of relevant courses at 200 level or above.

Operations Research

The requirements for a major in Operations Research for students starting from 2009 onwards are:
  1. STAT 131 or STAT 193, COMP 102 and one of MATH 142, MATH 151 (or a comparable approved background in 100-level Mathematics and Statistics)
  2. OPRE 251 and 45 points from OPRE 250, MGMT 206, STAT 231 or 200-level MATH.
  3. OPRE 351, OPRE 352, OPRE 353 and a further 15 points from 300-level MATH, COMP, STAT 331-338, MGMT 314-316.

HELP To complete the degree you need an additional 15 points at 300 level, with at least 360 points in total, of which at least 210 points must be from 200- and 300-level courses.

Students who started their degree before 2009 may complete under the old rules:
  1. STAT 131, COMP 102 and one of MATH 113, MATH 114 (or a comparable approved background in 100-level Mathematics and Statistics)
  2. OPRE 251
  3. 22 points from MATH 200-269 or STAT 200-289
  4. OPRE 351 and OPRE 352

HELP To complete the degree you need an additional 24 points at 300 level, with at least 360 points in total, of which at least 180 points must be from 200- and 300-level courses.

Management Science

The requirements for a major in Management Science for students starting from 2009 onwards are:
  1. MGMT 101, STAT 131 or STAT 193, COMP 102 and one of MATH 142, MATH 151
  2. OPRE 251, MGMT 206; 30 points from OPRE 250, STAT 231, MATH 200 - 299
  3. 30 points from OPRE 351 - 353; 15 points from MGMT 314 - 316; and 15 points from MATH 300 - 399, COMP 300 - 399, STAT 331 - 338, MGMT 314 - 316

HELP MGMT 206 is the prerequisite for MGMT 315 and 316
HELP To complete the degree you need at least 360 points in total, of which at least 210 points must be from 200- and 300-level courses.

Students who started their degree before 2009 may complete under the old rules:
  1. MGMT 101
  2. STAT 131, COMP 102 and one of MATH 113, MATH 114 (or a comparable approved background in 100-level Mathematics and Statistics)
  3. OPRE 251, MGMT 206 or an alternative 200-level MGMT course
  4. OPRE 351, OPRE 352
  5. One of MGMT 314, MGMT 315, MGMT 316

HELP MGMT 206 is the prerequisite for MGMT 315 and 316
HELP To complete the degree you need at least 360 points in total, of which at least 180 points must be from 200- and 300-level courses.

See the Commerce & Administration prospectus for more information on MGMT courses.

Planning Your Programme

First Year

Which Statistics courses to take?

There are two courses available at 100 level:
STAT 131 Probability and Decision Modelling
STAT 193 Statistics for Natural and Social Sciences

STAT 131 combines an introduction to probability, mathematical/statistical models and operations research. There is an emphasis on stochastic modelling and informed decision- making. It is intended mainly for students following through to higher level Statistics, Operations Research, Mathematics, Physics, Geophysics, Computer Science or Management Science, or those intending to study Financial Mathematics, Econometrics or other quantitative disciplines, including Architecture or Engineering Intermediate. It is a suitable course for BCA students with an interest in mathematical modelling in economics, finance and commerce.

STAT 131 is for students with at least 16 Level 3 NCEA Mathematics credits, including plenty of Calculus. Otherwise students are advised to take STAT 193. Students will benefit from taking MATH 142 (Calculus 1B) concurrently. See details on Mathematics entry requirements.

STAT 131 can be successfully combined with the more applied 100-level course, STAT 193. Students majoring in Statistics are strongly encouraged to take both 100-level courses, to build a solid foundation in the theoretical and the applied aspects of the discipline.

STAT 193 is an applied statistics course covering techniques of inference and estimation. It provides a suitable statistical background for students majoring in Applied Statistics or the natural and social sciences, especially Psychology, Ecology & Biodiversity and Marine Biology. It is also an appropriate introductory course for students who plan a career in social policy formulation or in private statistical/research consultancy. Students doing a conjoint BTeach degree with primary teaching in mind are advised to take at least STAT 193 (and MATH 132). For the purposes of the BCA degree, STAT 193 is roughly equivalent to QUAN 102. In both trimesters a second stream of STAT 193 will be run to meet the needs of BCA students. You must enrol in the appropriate stream for your major. Preferred entry level: Year 12 Mathematics.

The Student Learning Support Service offers workshops during the year for students with a weak mathematical background and the Science Faculty provides Whanau Support tutorials for Maori & Pacific Nations students and equity help sessions for Science and Architecture & Design students relating to STAT 131 and STAT 193 (contact: Liz Richardson, Science Faculty office).

Typical first years

BSc in Statistics
Course Course Name Points
ALERT! STAT 131 Probability and Decision Modelling 15
ALERT! MATH 142 Calculus 1B 15
ALERT! MATH 151 Algebra 15
  5 other courses, eg. BIOL 114, COMP 102, ECON 130, ENVI 114, PSYC 121, SPOL 113 75
  Total points 120

BSc in Applied Statistics
Course Course Name Points
STAT 193 Statistics for Natural and Social Sciences 15
MATH 132 Introduction to Mathematical Thinking 15
or ALERT! MATH 141 Calculus 1A 15
or ALERT! MATH 142 Calculus 1B 15
or ALERT! MATH 151 Algebra 15
or ALERT! MATH 161 Discrete Mathematics and Logic 15
  6 other courses, eg. BIOL 114, COMP 102, ECON 130, ENVI 114, PSYC 121, SPOL 113 90
  Total points 120

BSc in Operations Research
Course Course Name Points
ALERT! STAT 131 Probability and Decision Modelling 15
ALERT! MATH 151 Algebra 15
COMP 102 Introduction to Computer Program Design 15
  5 other courses, eg. ECON 103, MATH 142 75
  Total points 120

BSc in Management Science
Course Course Name Points
ALERT! STAT 131 Probability and Decision Modelling 15
ALERT! MATH 142 Calculus 1B 15
MGMT 101 Introduction to Management 15
COMP 102 Introduction to Computer Program Design 15
  4 other courses, eg. ECON 130, MATH 151 60
  Total points 120

ALERT! See details on NCEA entry requirements or equivalent.

Second Year

Students advancing in Statistics should take STAT 231, and both 200-level linear algebra and calculus courses. Those advancing in Operations Research need OPRE 251 and 30 points from MATH 200-269 or STAT 200-289, along with COMP 102. As a general rule, the further one wishes to advance in Statistics and Operations Research, the more important the general mathematical and computing background becomes.

Students wishing to advance in Applied Statistics should take STAT 292, STAT 293, which lead on to the 300-level courses in Sample Surveys (STAT 391, STAT 393) and Multivariate Statistics (STAT 338).

BSc Management Science students should take OPRE 251, and MGMT 206 or an alternative 200-level MGMT course. More computing would be valuable.

Third Year

In general you should seek academic advice before making a final selection from the courses available. You need to take at least 72 300-level points for your BA or BSc degree if you enrolled prior to 2009. Most majors require fewer points than this in the major subject at 300 level, so you will either take more than the minimum in your major subject, or else take some course(s) in an additional subject at 300 level.

OPRE 352 is particularly suitable for Computer Science majors. Courses that may complement those described in this Prospectus include QUAN 371 (Financial Mathematics), PHIL 334 (Logic and Computation) or PHIL 335 (Logic), and some of the QUAN, MOFI and MGMT courses. Keep in mind the requirements of your major subjects, and whether you wish to keep open the option of going on to Honours, the Graduate Diplomas in Science or Arts (see below), or the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Mathematics.

Equipment and Computing Facilities

Calculators are required in all STAT and OPRE courses. The undergraduate courses at 200 and 300 level in Statistics and Operations Research make some use of statistical and other computer packages such as R, SAS and S-Plus. The Operations Research courses use special-purpose OR packages.

All students will have access to School computing facilities.

Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in Science; Graduate Diploma in Science or Arts

The Graduate Diplomas in Science or Arts, with specialisations in Statistics or Operations Research, offer the opportunity for students to undertake the study required for a subject major without completing a full bachelor’s degree. They have the breadth and flexibility to accommodate the needs of a wide range of students, including those changing disciplines and those returning to study after some time away, who might wish to use their experience or professional learning to obtain further formal qualifications.

Entry to the Graduate Diplomas requires a first degree in any subject and evidence of sufficient training or background to proceed with a proposed course of study. The Graduate Diplomas each require a programme of at least 120 points; they may be studied either full- time or part-time. Students are expected to take at least two trimesters to complete the qualification.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science and the Postgraduate Certificate in Science are offered in Applied Statistics and Statistics and Operations Research. The Postgraduate Diploma is a 120-point course-work postgraduate qualification for students not wishing to proceed on to a research degree. Entry to the Postgraduate Diploma requires a first degree with an appropriate major. The Postgraduate Certificate is a shorter (60-point) course-work postgraduate qualification, which may be suitable for students in full-time work or managing other commitments.

See the Statistics and Operations Research graduate prospectus for more details about the Graduate and Postgraduate Diplomas or Certficates. Intending students should discuss their options and courses in advance with the Statistics and Operations Research Graduate Studies Coordinator; see the graduate prospectus for Statistics and Operations Research, or ask at the School Office for more info.

Course Map

This diagram shows the current courses offered by the school and the prerequisites for each course. map-stor-2009.png
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