The concentration requirements can be fulfilled via any of four tracks: a General track in core statistical principles and methods, a track in Data Science, a track in Quantitative Finance, and a track in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB). The diploma and transcript do not list the student’s track; all four tracks lead to the same degree: Bachelor of Arts in Statistics.
The general track provides students with a set of methods for making decisions in the face of risk and...
Multivariable calculus and linear algebra, to at least the level of Math 19a and 19b, are required. The most common way for concentrators to fulfill the math requirement is to take Math 21a and 21b, but there are a variety of other fairly common choices. Students considering graduate school in Statistics are strongly recommended to take additional mathematics courses, especially real analysis (e.g., Math 112).
Summer school courses do not count for concentration credit unless specifically approved by one of the Co-Directors of Undergraduate Studies in Statistics.
As of December 2015, there were 201 Statistics concentrators: 67 seniors, 71 juniors, and 63 sophomores. The concentration has grown dramatically in recent years; by way of contrast, as of December 2005 there were only 8 Statistics concentrators.
It varies from year to year, but typically about half of the graduating Statistics concentrators each year write senior theses. Note that writing a senior thesis is required for honors-eligibility and for joint concentrations.
This is a brief overview of thesis writing; for more information, please see our complete guide here. Senior theses in Statistics cover a wide range of topics, across the spectrum from applied to theoretical. Typically, senior theses are expected to have one of the...
Recent alumni have been working in a very wide variety of companies, such as data science positions in tech companies and analyst positions in banks, hedge funds, and consulting firms. Additionally, some alumni are pursuing graduate degrees in Statistics or Biostatistics. See https://statistics.fas.harvard.edu/alumni for further information.
Yes, one (and only one) course may be counted toward both a concentration and a secondary field. For example, a Computer Science concentrator can count Stat 110 both as a technical elective for the concentration and as a requirement for the Statistics secondary field.
