Introductory courses

This page has been put together with the primary intent of helping students make the right choice when it comes to selecting one or more introductory statistics courses. All the information presented below can also be found in the Academic Calendar, although not in this simple form.

Only one course in statistics

If you are looking to take only one course in statistics, then you can choose between our two first year courses STAT 1000 and STAT 1150. Which of these is more appropriate for you?

The answer to this question depends on a few things.

  • First and foremost, it may be the case that your current program (or any program you are working to get into) requires specifically one of the two.
  • Or it may be the case that your current program (or the program you are working to get into) allows for either course to be taken but has identified a preferred option between the two.

In either of those cases, it is easy: go with the required or recommended option.

Few things to consider

While both courses can be used to fulfill your mathematics credit requirement, the course STAT 1150 is meant to be an introduction to statistics that makes greater use of mathematical and computational concepts.

  • It is more appropriate for students that have a greater level of mathematical sophistication (pre-calculus from high school is sufficient).
  • It puts more emphasis on the use of software, on data manipulation and exploration.
  • It helps students start to develop their skills for data analytics.
  • It is required in programs with an important mathematical component (like mathematics, statistics and actuarial mathematics) and acceptable in all academic programs in the Faculty of Science.
  • It should be seriously considered (even though it isn’t required) by students interested in programs which have an important data analytics component like genetics and bioinformatics.

Students interested in data analytics

Students that may have a general interest in in the booming field of data analytics are strongly encouraged to consider taking STAT 1150.

Note that it would usually be the case that programs would accept to substitute STAT 1150 for STAT 1000 but the opposite is not true in general. This being said make sure to consult the Academic Calendar or discuss this with a student advisor to see the current practice in your home faculty.

Note also that both courses have a natural follow-up:

  • STAT 2000 follows STAT 1000.
  • STAT 2150 follows STAT 1150 with the same state-of-mind but also requires a university-level calculus course (usually MATH 1230 or MATH 1500) and helps students to further develop solid basic skills in data analytics and statistical programming.

Sequence of two courses of introductory statistics

If you are looking to take a sequence of two courses in introductory statistics, you are looking at two options:

While both sequences are meant to provide the student with an introduction to statistical concepts that are relevant to research and life in general, here is what to consider for the second sequence.

  • The second sequence makes much greater use of mathematical and computational concepts and as such, puts more emphasis on the use of software, on data manipulation and exploration.
  • In particular, STAT 2150 requires an even greater level of mathematical sophistication, as it has calculus (normally MATH 1230 or MATH 1500) as a formal prerequisite.
  • The second sequence is required in some but acceptable in all academic programs in the Faculty of Science.

Sequence of courses of introductory statistics

While keeping your options open in terms of being able to take more statistics courses, then the situation can generally be represented in the following way:

This content is available in alternate formats upon request to sci.accessibility@umanitoba.ca.

  • A graph of sequence of courses for introductory statistics

  • Finally, it is important to note that:

    • STAT 1150 cannot be held for credit with either STAT 1000 or STAT 2000.
    • Completing STAT 2000 with a grade of B (or higher) is considered equivalent to completing STAT 1150 for the purpose of prerequisites.
    • For the purpose of transitioning late into programs which require STAT 2150, it is possible to take STAT 2150 after having done STAT 2000 instead of STAT 1150, as long as you obtained a grade of B or higher.

Contact us

Department of Statistics
206 Biological Sciences
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2M5 Canada

stats_dept@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9826
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.