SDS 250RSocial Statistics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Social Development Studies
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 4 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
In this introductory level statistics course students will learn when and how to apply basic principles in the collection, manipulation, presentation, and analysis of numerical social science data. Students will build capacity to be informed consumers of quantitative and hypothesis testing information in social science research.
Prerequisites
- Students must be in level 2A or higher
Antirequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- ARTS280 - Statistics for Arts Students (0.50)
- ECON221 - Statistics for Economists (0.50)
- ENVS278 - Applied Statistics for Environmental Research (0.50)
- GBDA205 - Quantitative Methods (0.50)
- KIN232 - Research Design and Statistics (0.50)
- LS280 - Social Statistics (0.50)
- PSYCH292 - Basic Data Analysis (0.50)
- REC371 - Quantitative Data Analysis and Mobilization (0.50)
- SOC280 - Social Statistics (0.50)
- SRF230 - Introduction to Statistics (0.50)
- STAT202 - Introductory Statistics for Scientists (0.50)
- STAT206 - Statistics for Software Engineering (0.50)
- STAT211 - Introductory Statistics and Sampling for Accounting (0.50)
- STAT221 - Statistics (Non-Specialist Level) (0.50)
- STAT231 - Statistics (0.50)
- STAT241 - Statistics (Advanced Level) (0.50)
- Not completed any of the following:
- Not open to students enrolled in Faculty of Mathematics programs
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 081 | 6882 | 41 / 60 | Online or by arrangement |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 6557 | 0 / 50 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 081 | 6554 | 0 / 60 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 701 | 2462 | 22 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 702 | 2443 | 27 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
26% liked it30% easy59% useful
From 34 ratings and 19 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Mandatory for SDS degrees, make sure you are up to date on class notes and modules. It is very easy to fall behind in this class. Two non cumulative midterms were worth 20 % each, final is cumulative and worth 30%, online modules (15%) and online quizzes (15%). All testing is open book.
Nov 2015 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This class was easier than expected considering I am not a math person.
Jun 2015 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I'm not a big math fan, so I didn't enjoy this course but I have to say it was simple enough and doable.
Nov 2013 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course wasn't too bad for me since I had a grade 12 statistics background. This course would be pretty difficult for arts students who aren't used to math. Since the exam I took was open book, they expect you to have some mastery of the content given you can bring any aid you want. The exam was difficult since they don't tell you to use a certain formula and solve it since it's epxected that you know what formulas or steps to take with your aid that you bring in. Make sure you know when do/use what and not just how to solve formulas.
Feb 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Hard
Aug 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
9 posts and comments in 9 threads mention SDS 250R, October 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2022
Reviews on SDS 250R 1 point, 2 comments
u/Chewlie01: “… How is the course SDS 250R? I am not the greatest at math and fear that I cannot pass the course. I am not taking the course at the moment but I see that it is one of my pre-req for my BSW program. I have until Spring 2023 and am considering on reviewing my math skills.. …”
ARTS 280 vs SDS250R 0 points, 0 comments
u/Melodic-Subject-5899: “I need help picking an easy course to fill my stats requirements for my arbus degree. Basically i took arts 280 last semester but failed. Now come a second chance for my last semester, arts 280 is blocked off with another course and my advisor recommended i take SDS250 instead …”
ARTS280 vs SDS150R 0 points, 1 comment
“I need help picking an easy course to fill my stats requirements for my arbus degree. Basically i took arts 280 last semester but failed. …”
u/Dizzysnowfire: “SDS150R is not a stats course. It’s lifespans. SDS250R is the stats course”
Winter 2021
SDS 250R help? 1 point, 3 comments
u/melancho1ia: “Is anyone else in SDS 250R with Dr. Struk???”
Fall 2020
Looking for a math tutor because christ I'm failing a required course. Yes. I will pay money. 7 points, 7 comments
u/Laeriana: “I'm assuming this is for SOC/LS 280 correct?”
u/Laeriana: “… as those courses are more commonly tutored for and have significant content crossover with SDS 250R (from what I can tell of the one publically available syllabus that is). …”
Winter 2020
MSW stats course 2 points, 3 comments
“Hi, I have been accepted into the 1 year MSW program, but I need a STATS course. Does anyone have any course recommendations to meet this requirement? Thanks”
u/Laeriana: “Some clarifying questions for you/your academic advisor: Does the course explicitly need to have the coursecode STAT? Can it be at any level (200, 300, 700, etc.)?”
u/Laeriana: “… It looks like the scheme you have linked recommends SDS 250R, which is listed as an anti-requisite of ARTS 280 since they seem to cover overlapping material. It might be a course worth looking getting counted instead, but I’m not sure I can be of more help. …”
SDS 250R 5 points, 1 comment
u/ktrxn23: “Has anyone ever taken this course? How was it?”
Winter 2019
SDS250R Online Midterm Exam Banks? 4 points, 0 comments
u/Lil_sus77: “Anyone know of any test banks for these midterms, would be greatly appreciated. The online work is good but doesn't offer enough practice for the final (so I've heard). Was hoping to get some practice tests or exam banks from old years to help prepare me for it. Thanks!”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “… 200 SCI 206 SCI 238 SCI 267 SCI 395 SDS 131R SDS 150R SDS 205R SDS 210R SDS 231R SDS 242R SDS 250R SDS 251R SDS 312R SDS 331R SDS 353R SDS 354R SDS 355R SDS 358R SDS 398R SDS 399R SDS 400R SDS 405R SDS 425R SDS 440R SDS 449R SDS 450R SDS 451R SDS 490R SDS 495R SDS 499A SDS 499B …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them