Data Analysis and Scientific Reasoning, Minor in

Professor Eliot, Adviser

The minor engages students with both the challenges of moving from data to scientific understanding and practical strategies for attacking those challenges. As an interdisciplinary program, it integrates philosophy of science, mathematical statistics, and computing. It emphasizes stepping back to analyze how the scientific process can go well or poorly. Accordingly, it could be appropriate for students in any major wanting to learn how to assess the scientific basis of claims.

Minor Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 18

The minor consists of 18 semester hours of required and elective courses listed below, with at least six hours in-residence. No individual course may satisfy more than one category below. Students should also be aware that some courses listed below require prerequisites; see individual course listings. Students may use no more than three credits from 1-credit courses to satisfy the requirements of the minor.

A. Philosophy of Science - Semester Hours: at least 6

At least 6 s.h. are required from among the following courses:

PHI 152 - Scientific Reasoning Semester Hours: 3
PHI 161 - (HP) Philosophy of Science Semester Hours: 3
PHI 162 - (HP) Philosophy of Biology Semester Hours: 3
PHI 169 - Philosophy of Medicine Semester Hours: 3
PHI 101 - (HP) Ecology and Environmentalism Semester Hours: 3

B. Statistical Reasoning - Semester Hours: At least 6

At least 6 s.h. are required from among the following courses, including at least 3 s.h. in MATH:

MATH 008 - Elementary Mathematical Statistics Semester Hours: 3
MATH 045 - (MA) Logic, Sets, and Probability Semester Hours: 3
MATH 137 - (MA) Mathematical Probability and Statistics Semester Hours: 3
MATH 138 - (MA) Mathematical Probability and Statistics Semester Hours: 3
MATH 117 - (MA) Statistics for Economics Semester Hours: 3
BIOL 124 - Biostatistics Semester Hours: 4
PSY 040 - Statistics Semester Hours: 4
SOC 180 - Statistics in Sociology Semester Hours: 4

C. Computing for Data Analysis - Semester Hours: 3

CSC 015 - (CS) Fundamentals of Computer Science I: Problem Solving and Program Design Semester Hours: 4
PSC 149 - Political Analysis and Statistics Semester Hours: 3-4

D. Electives - Semester Hours: At least 3

At least 3 s.h. are required from among the following courses, or additional courses from List A or B or C. Further courses, including special topics courses, may be eligible to be electives with the approval of the minor’s adviser.

PHI 154 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic Semester Hours: 3
PHI 168 - Philosophy of Mathematics Semester Hours: 3
PHI 180A - Epistemology Semester Hours: 3
CSC 014 - (MA, CS) Discrete Structures for Computer Science I Semester Hours: 3
CSC 016 - (CS) Fundamentals of Computer Science II: Data Structures, Algorithms and Object-Oriented Programming Semester Hours: 4
CSC 185 - Methods of Random Process Semester Hours: 3
MATH 013C - (MA) Elementary Mathematical Models Through Computers Semester Hours: 3
PSY 141 - Research Methods and Design Semester Hours: 4
IT 117 - Database Management Systems Semester Hours: 3
ECO 184 - (BH) Empirical Methods in Economics Semester Hours: 3
TPP 060 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Semester Hours: 3
GEOG 060 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Digital Maps Semester Hours: 3

Note

Consult program advisor for other elective courses.

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