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Statistics

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - View all program options

Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.

Statistics is the science of learning from data. Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to uncover patterns, answer meaningful questions, and support informed decision‑making. Statistical methods help determine which information is reliable, how uncertainty can be quantified, and which predictions can be trusted. As a result, statistics plays a vital role in decision‑making across fields such as economics, health, science, business, public policy, and national security. Graduates in statistics pursue careers including data analysts, statisticians, data scientists, actuaries, quantitative professionals, and university professors, among many others, in industry, government, and academia.

Not a USask student?

Learn more about studying statistics at USask and apply for admission.

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 1

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

CMPT 141.3 | Introduction to Computer Science
CMPT 145.3 | Principles of Computer Science
MATH 163.3 | Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning

You choose

Academic tips

  • Explore information about your program in the course and program catalogue
  • Meet with an academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
  • The Math & Statistics Student Society (MS^3) offers free academic help and study sessions for mathematics and statistics courses
  • Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
  • Take the Math Readiness Assessment a self‑assessment tool designed to help you choose the most appropriate first‑year calculus‑stream course
  • MATH 163.3 is required for the B.Sc. Honours in Statistics but is not required for the B.Sc. Four‑Year in Statistics. Note that it may be used to satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement for many degree programs in the College of Arts and Science
  • The prerequisite for MATH 116.3 and MATH 177.3 is MATH 110.3 or MATH 176.3. It is recommended to take MATH 110.3 or MATH 176.3 in the Fall term, followed by MATH 116.3 or MATH 177.3 in the Winter term
  • It is recommended to take MATH 164.3 in the Fall term, as it is a prerequisite for MATH 266.3, which is offered in the Winter term
  • Taking both MATH 164.3 and MATH 266.3 can help you build a strong foundation in linear algebra, which is valuable for upper‑level courses. Although completing both courses is not required for the B.Sc. Four‑Year in Statistics, MATH 266.3 may be used in one of the following ways if taken: it may satisfy 3 c.u. toward the C4 requirement as one course within the “Choose 6 c.u.” option, or it may satisfy 3 c.u. of the C5 requirement; however, it may not be applied to both requirements
What will I learn?
  • Analyze and interpret data to uncover patterns and trends
  • Build statistical models and make evidence‑based predictions
  • Understand probability and uncertainty in real‑life situations
  • Use statistical software and computing tools to work with data
  • Think critically and solve problems across a wide range of applications, and communicate data‑driven insights clearly and effectively

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

Featured courses

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 2

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

MATH 276.3 | Vector Calculus I
MATH 277.3 | Vector Calculus II
STAT 241.3 | Probability Theory
STAT 242.3 | Statistical Theory and Methodology

You choose
Year 3

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

STAT 341.3 | Probability and Stochastic Processes
STAT 342.3 | Mathematical Statistics
STAT 344.3 | Applied Regression Analysis
STAT 345.3 | Design and Analysis of Experiments
STAT 348.3 | Sampling Techniques

You choose

Academic tips

Add to your major

Choose from a variety of minors and certificates to complement your major.

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nurturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Final year courses
B.Sc. Honours in Statistics
MATH 402.0 | Honours Thesis in Mathematics and Statistics
STAT 341.3 | Probability and Stochastic Processes
STAT 349.3 | Time Series Analysis
STAT 442.3 | Statistical Inference
STAT 443.3 | Linear Statistical Models
STAT 448.3 | Multivariate Analysis
You choose
B.Sc. Four-Year in Statistics
You choose

Apply to graduate

Academic tips

  • Apply for scholarships and awards to help support your academic studies
  • Consider applying to the Honours program if you are interested in advanced coursework or research opportunities
  • MATH 402.0 is restricted to students enrolled in Honours programs. Students in this course are required to prepare and submit a written paper on a topic in the statistical sciences
Consider applying to a graduate program

Choose from:

Find a program

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nurturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

Possible destinations

People with a statistics degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.

Designations

Graduates of the B.Sc. Four‑Year or Honours programs in Statistics may be eligible to apply for the Associate Statistician (A.Stat.) designation (https://ssc.ca/en/accreditation), a professional accreditation for statisticians in Canada offered by the Statistical Society of Canada (SSC) (https://ssc.ca/en). The SSC Accreditation Committee has approved specific University of Saskatchewan courses (https://ssc.ca/en/accreditation/accredited-courses) that may be used to satisfy the educational requirements for the A.Stat. designation.

Career paths

  • Actuary
  • Archival Assistant
  • Biostatistician
  • Business Analyst
  • Cartographer
  • Compensation Coordinator
  • Contract Administrator
  • Cost Estimator
  • Cryptographer
  • Cryptologist
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Database Administrator
  • Econometrician
  • Financial Auditor
  • Financial Officer
  • Geophysicist
  • Insurance Agent
  • Informational Systems Analyst
  • Loan Officer
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Mathematician
  • Meteorology
  • Policy Researcher
  • Quality Control Specialist
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Quantum Computing Researcher
  • Risk Analyst
  • Statistician
  • Teacher

I chose the Statistics major because I wanted to develop strong analytical and quantitative skills that would prepare me to work in government and public service. I was particularly interested in careers where data-driven decision-making is essential, and I knew that this program would provide a solid foundation.

The most valuable experiences were the practical projects, statistical modeling exercises, and exposure to real-world data analysis. These experiences allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge to complex problems, develop critical thinking, and gain confidence in presenting findings clearly and effectively.
Through the program, I gained expertise in statistical analysis, computational mathematics, and data interpretation. I developed problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex information in an understandable way. These competencies have been essential in my career in public service and in managing professional responsibilities efficiently.

My degree has been invaluable in opening opportunities in government and analytical roles, allowing me to contribute meaningfully in positions that require careful data evaluation and strategic planning. It continues to provide credibility, flexibility, and the foundation to pursue further studies or new career paths, ensuring that I can adapt and succeed in evolving professional environments..

—Alice, Master of Science in Statistics '08

Where do USask alumni work?

  • 7 Shifts
  • ATB Financial
  • Bayer
  • Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute
  • Canadian Institute for Health Information
  • City of Saskatoon
  • Conexus Credit Union
  • Deloitte
  • EY
  • Global Institute for Water Security
  • Government of Saskatchewan
  • Optimum Group
  • RBC
  • Saskatchewan Health Authority
  • Saskatchewan Polytechnic
  • Saskatoon Public Schools
  • Statistics Canada
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • Vendasta

Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool

"I was initially drawn to the statistics program because I saw more and more organizations collecting large amounts of data, and I wanted to be equipped for a career where I could help others understand the meaning behind all this information. The statistics program does a good job of teaching both statistical theory and the hands-on programming skills that are needed to use statistical methods in day-to-day work. I have worked in both the private and academic sectors since graduating, and a statistics degree has helped open opportunities for me in both these areas."

—Brandon, Bachelor of Science in Statistics (Honours) '19

"I pursued a major in statistics as I loved math and problem solving. Statistics has become an incredibly lucrative career path in the last 15 years and this will undoubtedly continue in the coming years. My undergraduate training in statistics allowed me to develop the necessary quantitative skills to successfully navigate graduate studies in biostatistics, and eventually gain employment as an Assistant Professor of Statistics at the University of Manitoba."

—Kevin, Bachelor of Science in Statistics (Honours) '13