Information & Decision Sciences

BS in Statistics and Operations Research

Program Information

The Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Operations Research is awarded in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to students who successfully complete this curriculum. Courses are chosen from both the department of mathematics, statistics, and computer science in LAS and the IDS department in CBA.

It is a joint program of the above two departments.

The curriculum is intended for students planning advanced study in statistics and operations research or seeking a career in either the data-oriented applications of these disciplines or in a wide variety of areas such as accounting, actuarial science, auditing, biostatistics, data management, financial analysis, hospital administration, long-range developmental planning, pharmaceuticals, traffic controls and transportation management.

The curriculum requires 120 semester hours and is subject to the restriction that, in addition to those courses required in the program, no more than 24 semester hours of credit can be taken from colleges outside of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

For any question regarding the program, you may contact the following address:
The University of Illinois at Chicago
Office of Student Affairs
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
m/c 228 601 South Morgan Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607-7104

Curriculum Requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete a minimum of 120 semester hours. Students must satisfy the curriculum requirements as follows:

Required Courses for the Curriculum
Engl 160,161 6
Foreign language (the equivalent of two years in a single language at the college level) 0-16
Humanities 9
Social Sciences including Econ 130 9
Natural Sciences (Excluding mathematics courses) 13
Math 180, 181, 210, 310; MCS 260; Stat 401 23
Math 300
Math 300 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.		 1
Econ 218 4
IDS 270, 355, 371
Math 180,181 satisfy the prerequisite for IDS 270, MCS 260 satisfies the computing prerequisite for IDSC 355. 4


Computing: (2 courses from the following): 6-7
MCS 261, 275
IDS 400, 401, 405, 410
MCS 260 satisfies the computing prerequisite for IDS 401, 405, 410


Operation Research: (2 courses from the following): 6
Stat 471 or IDS 435
Stat 473 or IDS 436
Stat 461 or IDS 437
Math 310 satisfies the prerequisite for IDS 435 and IDS 437


Statistics: ( 2 courses from the following): 6
Stat 381, 411, 416, 494
Stat 481 or IDS 465
Stat 431 or IDS 460, 470, 476


Electives in the area of statistics, operation research, mathematics and computing, chosen in consultation with an adviser from the program, to complete the degree requirement of 120 semester hours from the following: 6-27 hrs
Math 220
MCS 360
Stat 381
Any 400-level IDS, MCS, Math, and Stat courses


Total Hours 120

Recommended Plan of Study