uwloo

STAT 341Computational Statistics and Data Analysis

Units
0.50
Faculty
Mathematics
Subject
Statistics

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 3 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

A computationally focused approach to statistical reasoning in the context of real data. Functional programming in R and algorithms will be used to define interesting attributes of finite populations and their sampling characteristics. Computational approaches to inductive inference and the assessment of predictive accuracy.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • MATH237 - Calculus 3 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
      • MATH247 - Calculus 3 (Advanced Level) (0.50)
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • STAT231 - Statistics (0.50)
      • STAT241 - Statistics (Advanced Level) (0.50)
    • Complete 1 of the following
      • Must have completed the following:
        • STAT240 - Probability (Advanced Level) (0.50)
      • Earned a minimum grade of 60% in each of the following:

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0016253113 / 150MW 14:30–15:50
LEC 0026405112 / 150MW 10:00–11:20
TUT 1016354225 / 300F 09:30–10:20

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00159590 / 125TTh 14:30–15:50
LEC 00260680 / 125TTh 16:00–17:20
LEC 7012338103 / 9999Online or by arrangement
TUT 10159800 / 250F 15:30–16:20

Resources

Around the web

Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names STAT 341.

Suggest a resource.

Reviewed on UW Flow

65% liked it58% easy74% useful

From 137 ratings and 49 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE WITH RYAN BROWNE. The course itself is easy to understand and learn, but this professor just made the grades super low by testing about R code and conclusions from worksheets and not giving any useful practice problems. He likes to test about random stuff, e.g. "What command is used in R to set up a 1 x 3 figure", or "What advice would you give NBA teams in regards to angle and radius for two-pointers". I mean he did use the command and talked about scoring two-pointers in the provided worksheet but man if you are going to test about this kind of detailed knowledge just make the worksheets as assignments. Good news is there are no midterm/final, just 6 independent…

    Jul 2026 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • didn't learn a damn thing. practice problems are useless. you will not be comfortable with anything in R by the end. ended with a good grade tho

    Apr 2026 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I don't think the course content is inherently difficult. No assignments, just (somewhat) weekly quizzes, 2 midterms and final. Wouldn't recommend taking with Prof Stringer as course coordinator. Questions on Piazza weren't answered for some reason. Lots of exercises are provided though.

    Apr 2026 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • one of the best TEs I took. even as engineering student, the content was manageable. highly recommend for students interested in data science

    Dec 2018 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Not worth it, exercises were not relevant. Not enough practice materials provided and questions not answered on Piazza. Also lot of unnecessary yapping while teaching.

    Apr 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

441 posts and comments in 318 threads mention STAT 341, July 2014 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 2024

2B CS course selection 2 points, 3 comments

“As of now, these are the classes I am enrolled into: \- CS 245, 246, Math 239, Stat 231 and an elective Could someone walk me through how the term would look like if i go ahead with this option? …”

u/iamanaybaid555: “… if you haven’t planned out a STAT minor or STAT courses needed in specializations (such as STAT 341 for AI). Getting an 80+ average won’t be that easy but it’s certainly doable. You have CS 251 and your elective to help you the most. …”

View on RedditRemove this

Easiest Faculty of Mathematics Course for Engineering AI option 5 points, 7 comments

u/Agishan: “… Programming (0.50) CS479 \- Neural Networks (0.50) CS484 \- Computational Vision (0.50) STAT341 \- Computational Statistics and Data Analysis (0.50) STAT440 \- Computational Inference (0.50) STAT441 \- Statistical Learning - Classification (0.50) STAT444 \- Statistical Learning …”

u/vincentt456: “I did the AI option as a mechanical engineer! I took STAT341 and it was good. A lot of the listed courses are useless because you can't even enroll in them (most of the CS courses) and it's impossible to get an override.”

u/EurasianZaltpetre: “Stat 341 is very applicable and has real uses in data science”

View on RedditRemove this

Course advice 2 points, 5 comments

u/Crafty_Act1002: “Very confused about 3A stat courses. Stat330 Stat331 Stat332 Stat333 Stat340 Stat341 How many stat courses a term is doable. Also i hated stat230 but loved stat231. Thank u Also recommend any other courses i can take pls pls CO or CS or any other”

View on RedditRemove this

STAT442 4 points, 0 comments

u/Maremesscamm: “Can anyone please share their experiences with this course. Is it difficult, how does it compare to stat341? The reviews on UWFLOW seem to be out of date and the difficulty level is at 31% I would really appreciate if anyone could share their experiences with this course.”

View on RedditRemove this

Spring 2024

stat 341 or stat 940 9 points, 1 comment

u/Nightlocky: “… I am deciding between stat 341 and stat 940 I am trying to get into the field of machine learning and data science. so both of these courses seem to be relevant. …”

u/Adorable_Welcome_906: “I just finished STAT 341 with Nathaniel Steven's and I highly recommend it. There was a little bit of machine learning, but it wasn't the focus. The outline for the course was something like this: 1. Populations + Attributes (Gradient Descent, Newton-Raphson) 2. …”

View on RedditRemove this

Interesting courses for CS upper year (3A+) 13 points, 14 comments

“I am in CS, and I am just (after exams) done with with 2B. I only have CS 341 and CS 350 left in the mandatory courses for CS, and I will be on my 3A term in the coming Winter term. …”

u/surker512: “STAT 341 with Nathaniel Stevens. One of the best profs I've ever had, super helpful and easy exams. The assignments are code-heavy but aren't as difficult as CS courses. …”

u/amolven16: “Is STAT 341 easier or harder than STAT 231, and by how much?”

u/surker512: “… It's also hard to compare since STAT 341 and 231 don't have much overlap. A good chunk of 341 relies on calculus, so you'll do well if you're strong in calc 3. If you have a solid foundation in 230 and 231, you'll find it easier to absorb the content. The exams are very easy. …”

View on RedditRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar