Suggested courses to take

[2244em]

Hello!

I'm currently a rising sophomore with a tentative goal to do graduate studies in Statistics or Data Science. I was wondering what pure/applied math or stats upper division courses you would recommend that would give me a firm foundation? 

Here is the math course browser: https://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/courses/MATH.html 

I was thinking about taking one of the Algebra classes with Intro to Numerical Analysis, but I am not sure. 

Thanks in advance!

[Cavalerius]

Do you have any advisers that might help you find the right courses? I think that for PhD programs in statistics, the criteria are slightly strange, or at least might be somewhat unexpected from the perspective of an undergrad in statistics. It would seem that mathematics courses are of greater value than are statistics courses. My focus was on pure mathematics, particularly algebra and topology. And I can't say that such a focus hurt my application to stats programs. I guess a lot of it comes down to building mathematical "maturity," rather than having completed certain classes, beyond the obvious prerequisites, that is. It would of course be desirable that building a "firm foundation," as you say, be aligned with the courses valued by admissions committees, but there's also a point to be made, I think, for having had some exposure to various branches of mathematics. Research in statistics takes many forms.

Edited July 28, 2020 by Cavalerius

[bayessays]

Probability, mathematical statistics, real analysis, linear algebra. If you've taken all these, take numerical analysis and a class where you'll learn R. Other higher level math classes like algebra will help show math readiness but won't be directly applicable.  Undergraduate applied statistics courses aren't going to help much.