Suggested Minors
Previously, students in the Statistics major and honours programs needed to complete a minor outside of Statistics. Completion of a minor is now optional for all Statistics students. However, we highly recommend that students complete a minor since
- You will need 44 upper division (UD) units to graduate, and the Statistics major requires 32 UD units, which leaves 12 UD units remaining. Minors at SFU typically require 14 or 15 UD units, so by completing a minor you can get an extra designation without much, if any, additional coursework (beyond what is required to graduate).
- A minor can strengthen your application for jobs, professional accreditation, or graduate school.
The most common minors that are paired with a Statistics major/honours are Mathematics, Computing Science, Economics, Business, and Health Science. Details for each of these minor options can be found below.
Other options include Biology, Chemistry, Biomedical Physiology, Kinesiology, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Cognitive Science, Communications, Psychology, Linguistics, Geography, Political Science, and Sociology.
Mathematics
The requirements for the Mathematics minor can be found here. Recommended UD MATH courses for Statistics students include: MATH 304, 308, 309, 320, and 348.
Synergy
Statistics makes heavy use of mathematical tools. Having more training in these tools can help better understand them in preparation for more advanced training.
Possible Careers
- Information Specialist
- Risk Analyst
- Data Miner
Computing Science
The requirements for the Computing Science minor can be found here. Recommended UD CMPT courses for Statistics students include: CMPT 305, CMPT 307, CMPT 310, CMPT 353, CMPT 354, and CMPT 373.
Synergy
There is a large amount of overlap between computing science and modern statistics. In particular, the very popular field of machine learning sits directly between these two disciplines.
Possible Careers
- Software Engineer
- Information Manager
- Big Data Specialist
Economics
The requirements for the Economics minor can be found here. Recommended UD ECON courses for Statistics students include: ECON 333, ECON 302, ECON 305, ECON 433, and ECON 435.
Synergy
Econometrics, or the study of economic data, is a large branch of modern economics. Fortunately, it is an area that a stat major is well suited to work in. Your statistical expertise is well suited to help solve economic problems using data and statistical analysis.
Possible Careers
- Financial Analyst
- Market Research Analyst
- Econometrician
Business
The requirements for the Business minor can be found here. Recommended UD BUS courses for Statistics students include: BUS 311, BUS 340, BUS 341, and BUS 401.
Synergy
Businesses have learned, particularly in the age of "big data", how valuable the discipline of statistics is. Stats can help management to quantify and understand the uncertainty that goes into making important decisions.
Possible Careers
- Business Analyst
- Statistical Consultant
Health Science
The requirements for the Health Science minor can be found here. Recommended UD HSCI courses for Statistics students include: HSCI 330, HSCI 410, HSCI 424, HSCI 430, HSCI 431, and HSCI 432.
Synergy
Health sciences studies "health and disease from 'cell to society'". Statistics has a role to play at each of these levels, and can help to facilitate high quality research in this interdisciplinary field.
Possible Careers
- Epidemiologist
- Medical Informatician