
Statistics is the science that deals with methods for the quantification of the uncertainty inherent in the interpretation and analysis of data.
Statistics is a key foundational discipline for data science, and has applications in a wide variety of fields. You can learn more about Statistics by visiting the the American Statistical Association.
At the graduate level, the department offers both an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Statistical Science, as well as a Designated Emphasis in Statistics, which is available to all graduate students at UCSC. At the undergraduate level, the department offers a Minor in Statistics and a 4+1 contiguous pathway into its M.S. for students from any quantitative major who satisfy the course requirements. The minor complements any major in the Baskin School of Engineering, as well as many of the majors in the Social, Physical, and Biological Sciences.
Uncovering the impacts of melting snow cover
A new Baskin Engineering study shows significant decline of snow cover in the northern hemisphere over the past half century, which may have a profound impact on global energy balance, continental thermal stability, and regional temperatures.
Statistics research news

Global warming is happening, but not statistically ‘surging,’ new study finds
The new study, published on October 14 in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment, confirms the broad consensus that the planet is getting warmer, but at a statistically steady rate—not at a sufficiently accelerated rate that could be statistically defined as a surge.

In Memoriam: David Draper
Remembering Professor of Statistics David Draper.

2023 ARCS Foundation scholarships support UCSC graduate students in the sciences and engineering
Sixteen UC Santa Cruz graduate students have received scholarships worth a total of $175,000 from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation for the 2023-24 academic year.
Explore potential Statistics career paths

- Statistician
- Biostatistician
- Data Scientist
- Professor
- Quantitative Analyst
- Research Scientist
- Actuary