Navigating Changes to Degree Requirements

By Irene Vrbik (Data Science Program Advisor) in data major math major combined physics and math data minor statistics major statistics minor stats major stats minor

September 9, 2023

This page attempts to guide students (and faculty) through the some select changes to programs in CMPS.

Disclaimer

Every case is individual so it is important to note that the content presented here does not constitute official advice, guidance, or endorsement from UBCO. Consult the Support Options at the end of this document for the most recent and accurate information.

Summary

If you are enrolled in the 2023/24 version of Data Science, Math, or Statistics major program are currently enrolled in STAT 230 2023W1 please move to STAT 203 2023W1!

If your are in the Combined Physics & Math major program jump to Combined Physics & Math majors in the 2022/23 version section. Otherwise please consult the table below to help you navigate to the relevant section of this document.

This table serves as a website navigation menu. Click on the appropriate link to be directly navigated to the appropriate section.
Registered Version Desired Version Courses1 completed 2022S2 or earlier STAT
203		 STAT
205		 STAT
303		 đź”—
2022/23 2022/23 {}, {DATA 101}, {STAT 230},
{DATA 101, STAT 230}		 not required not required required before 2025W1 1
{DATA 101, STAT 230, 303} not required not required already completed 2
2022/23 2023/24 {} required2 required required
2024W1 (or later)		 3
{DATA 101} required required required
2024W1 (or later)		 3
{DATA 101, STAT 230} required not required required
2024W1 (or later)		 4
{DATA 101, STAT 230, 303} not required not required take 3 credits of upper-level DATA/MATH/STAT instead! 5
2023/24 2022/23 Please consult academic advising or your program advisor

If you got what you needed from the table great! Otherwise, read on. Still didn’t find what you are looking for? Contact: datascience.advisor@ubc.ca

Introduction

There have been a significant amount of changes made to the Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, and Combined Physics & Math majors. For reference, you can find the relevant versions of the calendar at the following links:

Table: Summary of Program Changes. BOLD indicates a new course requirement, italics indicates that this course has had a change to its prerequisite structure, strikethrough indicates that a course in no longer required.
Program (majors) 2022/23 Current 2023/24
Data Science DATA 101
STAT 230, 303
COSC 221		 DATA 101
STAT 203, 205, 303
COSC 221
Mathematics DATA 101
STAT 230, 303
COSC 221		 DATA 101
STAT 203, 205, 303
COSC 221
Statistics DATA 101
STAT 230, 303		 DATA 101
STAT 203, 205, 303
Combined Math & Physics STAT 303 DATA 101
STAT 203, 303
Computer Science STAT 230 STAT 230 (no change w.r.t. DATA/STAT course requirements)

Change of Second-year Statistics

One notable change is the replacement of STAT 230 (3) Introductory Statistics with the following series:

  • STAT 203 (3) Introduction to Probability and
  • STAT 205 (3) Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

Motivation for changes:

The motivation behind this change was to provide a stronger foundation in Probability and Statistics for our students. Note that some of the material from COSC 221 (Introduction to Discrete Structure) will now be included in STAT 203.

Change to course Prerequisite

Another change is the prerequisites for various courses. Namely

  • STAT 303 (3) Intermediate Probability

    • old 2022/23 prerequisites: MATH 200
    • new 2023/24 prerequisites: All of MATH 200, STAT 203.

  • DATA 410 (3) Regression and Generalized Linear Models

    • old 2022/23 prerequisites: All of MATH 221, STAT 303, DATA 311
    • new 2023/24 prerequisites: DATA 310.

  • STAT 406: Environmetrics

    • old 2022/23 prerequisites: STAT 230.

    • new 2023/24 prerequisites: DATA 310

See the full course descriptions for the current 2023/24 calendar at [STAT course descriptions], [DATA course descriptions]. See the full course descriptions for the 2022/23 calendar at [STAT archive], [DATA archive]

Motivation for changes:

Requiring an introductory statistics prerequisite for an upper-level probability course (STAT 303) will ensure that all students have a foundation understanding of probability concepts and a familiarity with probability distributions upon entering the course.

DATA 310: Applied Regression Analysis is a more natural pre-requisite for DATA 410: Regression and Generalized Linear Models. The only reason it was not a pre-req already was because DATA 310 did not exist until 2022/23.

Transition Period

There will naturally be a period of transition as we have students making through the “old” 2022/23 version of the program and the “new” 2023/24 one. During this time, the prerequisite structure will be adapted to accommodate the two cohorts of students and course content shifts. This section is here to support students, faculty, and staff navigate these changes effectively. If you are unsure what version of the program you are in please consult the CMPS FAS’s.

A roadmap of the phases of the transitioning period between the “old” and “new” curriculums. Please see the sections below for more details.
A roadmap of the phases of the transitioning period between the “old” and “new” curriculums. Please see the sections below for more details.

Phase 1

Some students entering this program may not have the pre-requisite of DATA 101 required to take STAT 203. To ensure that students aren’t delayed by a year, DATA 101 will be allowed to be taken as a co-requisite to the introductory statistics courses. That is, students will be able to take DATA 101 at the same time as STAT 203.

Since STAT 203 is being introduced for the first time this year, there won’t be any students who meet the prerequisites required for enrollment in STAT 303. It’s also important to note that STAT 303 is a mandatory course for Combined Physics & Math majors graduating in the 2022/23 academic year, whereas completion of an introductory statistics course is not. Until there is a group of students who can fulfill these prerequisites, we will continue to employ the same teaching approach for STAT 303, as it was utilized in the 2022/23 academic year and before. This approach assumes that students do not possess any prior knowledge of introductory statistics.

Phase 2

Students in the 2022/23 who have already taken STAT 230 will not be required to take the 203/205 series (see Student Pathways). Since these students require STAT 303 to graduate, we will be approving prerequisite waivers from students requesting to use STAT 230 in place of STAT 203 as a prerequisite to STAT 303 until the 2022/23 cohort of students have completed graduation (i.e. < 2025W1). Notably, both courses should cover the introductory probability concepts and distributions.

Prerequisite Waivers

If you are blocked to getting into a required course but you are satisfy the adjusted prerequisites stated above you will need to submit a prerequisite form found here: https://science.ok.ubc.ca/student-resources/undergrad/student-forms/. In your “Reason for Request” you can write the following:

I have the following courses <replace with the appropriate adjusted co/prerequisites from the table below> to satisfy the adjusted prerequisites that have been suggested during this time of transition from the 2022/23 calendar to the 2023/24 calendar.

Table: A the list of adjusted prerequisites that have been suggested for the period of transition
Course Adjusted co/prerequisites for 2023/24 Adjusted prerequisites for 2024 - 26 (if applicable)
STAT 203 Prerequisite: DATA 101* and one of MATH 101, MATH 103, MATH 142. *DATA 101 may be taken as a corequisites NA
STAT 303 Prerequisite: MATH 200. Prerequisite: MATH 200 and one of STAT 203 or STAT 230.
STAT 406 Prerequisite: STAT 230 NA
DATA 410 Prerequisite: All of MATH 221, STAT 303, DATA 311 NA

Student Pathways

There are a number of scenarios you may fall into as a student in CMPS during this transition period. I will first lay out the reccomendations for those majoring in Data Science, Statistics, or Math. Combined Physics & Math majors proved to be a special edge case and will be address separately. Notably, I have left out Computer Science majors since the aforementioned DATA/STAT changes are not applicable to their degree requirements.

Course plan for Data Science, Math, and Statistics Majors

Data/Math/Stat majors in the 2022/23 version

Recall that students majoring in 2022/23 versions of the Data Science, Math, or Statistics program are required to take: DATA 101, STAT 230, STAT 3033

Scenario 1: student has not yet completed STAT 303

Data/Math/Stat majors in the 2022/23 version are required should take DATA 101 and STAT 230 if they haven’t done so already. These students will NOT need to take the STAT 203/STAT 205 series. That said, since the prerequisites of STAT 303 have changed you MUST take STAT 303 no later than 2025W1. After this deadline, a hard prerequisite of STAT 203 will be required to get into this course.

Scenario 2: student has completed STAT 303 by 2022S2

Data/Math/Stat majors in the 2022/23 version should take DATA 101 and STAT 230 if they haven’t done so already. In other words, you will NOT need to take the STAT 203/205 series. If you have successfully completed STAT 303 by before 2023W1 (i.e 2022s or earlier), do NOT retake the “new” STAT 303 for which STAT 203 is a prerequisite.

Data/Math/Stat majors in the 2023/24 version

Recall that students majoring in 2023/24 version of the Data Science, Math, or Statistics program are required to take: DATA 101, STAT 203, 205, and 3034.

Scenario 3: student has not completed STAT 230/303

Data/Math/Stat majors in the 2023/34 version are recommended take STAT 203 in 2023W term 1 (or later), STAT 205 in 2023W term 2 (or later), and STAT 303 in 2024 (or later). If you have not yet taken DATA 101, you will be permitted to take it as a co-requisite to STAT 203 upon submitting a course pre-req waiver.

Scenario 4: student has completed STAT 230 but not STAT 303

Data/Math/Stat majors in the 2023/24 version who have successfully completed STAT 230 before 2023W1 (i.e. 2022S or earlier) will not be required to take STAT 205. That is to say, STAT 230 will be used in place of STAT 205 in your 2023/24 program requirements. You should plan to take STAT 203 in 2023W term 1, and STAT 303 in 2024 (or later). As described in Phase 1, STAT 303 2023W1 will be taught without the prerequisite of an introductory STAT course. Therefore, if you take STAT 303 in 2023W1 you be treated have as having the “old” 2022/23 STAT 303 and fall in the same boat as those in scenario 5.

If you are enrolled in the 2023/24 version of Data Science, Math, or Statistics major program are currently enrolled in STAT 230 2023W1 please move to STAT 203 2023W1!

Scenario 5: student has completed STAT 230 and 303

Data/Math/Stat majors in the 2023/24 version who have already successfully completed STAT 230 and STAT 303 before 2023W1 (i.e 2022s or earlier) are not required to take STAT 203, or 205. If you have successfully completed STAT 303 by before 2023W1 (i.e 2022s or earlier), do NOT retake the “new” STAT 303 for which STAT 203 is a prerequisite. In Degree Navigator, STAT 230 will be used in place of STAT 205 requirement, and STAT 303 will be used to satisfy your STAT 203 requirement. To make up for the missing 3 credits, you will be required to take an additional upper-level DATA/MATH/STAT.

Course plan for Combined Physics & Math majors

This combined major proved to be an complicated edge case since the 2022/23 version requires only STAT 303 and none of the new prerequisite courses.

Combined Physics & Math majors in the 2022/23 version

Recall that students majoring in 2022/23 versions of the Combined Physics & Math program are required to take: STAT 303. It is VERY IMPORTANT that students in this combined major know that the prerequisites for STAT 303 have changed and 2023W Term 1 will be the last time they will be permitted entry into the course without an introductory STAT prerequisite.

Courses completed prior to 2023W1 Course to take in 2023 Courses to take in 2024 or 2025 Jump to . . .
STAT 303 Scenario 6
DATA 1015
STAT 230/203		 STAT 303 Scenario 7
DATA 1016 STAT 230/203 STAT 303 Scenario 8
STAT 230 STAT 303 (or later) Scenario 9

Scenario 6: student has not completed DATA 101, STAT 230, or STAT 303

Combined Physics and Math majors in the 2022/23 version of the calendar who have not taken DATA 101 or STAT 230, you should plan to take STAT 303 2023W Term 1. After this term, students will no longer be granted entry into STAT 303 course without a introductory statistics course. If this is not possible for you then you will need to follow one of the alternate course plans below.

Scenario 7: student has not completed DATA 101, STAT 230, or STAT 303

Combined Physics and Math majors in the 2022/23 version of the calendar who have not taken DATA 101 or STAT 230, and you cannot take STAT 303 2023W Term 1, you must take either STAT 230 or STAT 203 prior to STAT 303. Note that STAT 230 / 203 usually requires One of MATH 101, MATH 103, MATH 142 and one of DATA 101, COSC 221, ECON 102.DATA 101 as a prerequisite. For 2023W term 1 only, DATA 101 will instead be allowed to be taken as a corequisite to these courses to ensure you do not fall behind a year.

Scenario 8: student has taken prereqs to STAT 230 but not completed STAT 303

Combined Physics and Math majors in the 2022/23 version of the calendar who have taken DATA 101 (or an alternative pre-req to STAT 230), you can either plan to take STAT 203 or 230 anytime before taking STAT 303. Notably if you opt to take STAT 230 instead of STAT 203, you will only be permitted into STAT 303 between 2023W1 and 2026W (inclusive).

Course plan for Combined Physics & Math majors

This combined major proved to be an complicated edge case since the 2023/24 version requires only DATA 101, STAT 203, and STAT 303.

Scenario 9:

Combined Physics and Math majors in the 2023/24 version should plan to take DATA 101 and STAT 203 and STAT 303. Notably, DATA 101 will only be allowed to be taken as a co-requisite to STAT 203 in 2023W1 only.

Support Options

  1. Speak to an Advisor at Academic Advising
  2. Contact your Program Advisor (list of emails at: https://science.ok.ubc.ca/about/contact-people/advisors/
  3. Undergraduate Student Resources can be found at: https://cmps.ok.ubc.ca/undergraduate/student-resources/ (this includes some frequently asked questions)
  4. Academic Calendar for major programs: https://okanagan.calendar.ubc.ca/faculties-schools-and-colleges/faculty-science/bachelor-science-programs/major-programs
  5. Academic Calendar of course descriptions: https://okanagan.calendar.ubc.ca/course-descriptions
  6. Undergraduate Student Forms: https://science.ok.ubc.ca/student-resources/undergrad/student-forms/

  1. Of DATA 101, STAT 230, STAT 303↩︎

  2. DATA 101 may be taken at the same time↩︎

  3. STAT 203 is a newly add prerequisite to this course↩︎

  4. STAT 203 is a newly add prerequisite to this course↩︎

  5. For simplicity I have written DATA 101 as this is the simplest prereq to get into STAT 230 and STAT 203, but if students are planning to take 230, they can get in with Prerequisite: One of MATH 101, MATH 103, MATH 142 and one of DATA 101, COSC 221, ECON 102.↩︎

  6. For simplicity I have written DATA 101 as this is the simplest prereq to get into STAT 230 and STAT 203, but if students are planning to take 230, they can get in with Prerequisite: One of MATH 101, MATH 103, MATH 142 and one of DATA 101, COSC 221, ECON 102.↩︎

Posted on:
September 9, 2023
Length:
12 minute read, 2505 words
Categories:
data major math major combined physics and math data minor statistics major statistics minor stats major stats minor
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