Undergraduate handbook 2004
Science

Statistics

Coordinator: Listed under `Mathematics'

The discipline

Statistics is the branch of mathematics that captures the interplay of data and theory. Applied and mathematical statistics combine to extract useful knowledge from data. Mathematical statistics develops the methodology, while applied statistics exploits the theory to learn from real-life information.

The discipline caters for the application of statistics in scientific research and data analysis. In the applied statistics (STA) stream, statistics is taught as a mathematical science and not a field of mathematics. The emphasis is on statistical ideas and offers a real career choice with excellent employment prospects with industry, commerce and government organisations.
Mathematical statistics has cross-links with areas of pure and applied mathematics as well as applications in the fast-developing fields of financial mathematics, mathematical biology and signal system analysis. The mathematical statistics (MTH) sequence caters for these highly sought-after disciplines.
The use of statistics is constantly expanding, and a sound knowledge of the discipline is important even for those who do not complete a major sequence in the area.

Units offered

Level one

• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

Level two

• MTH2222 Mathematics of uncertainty
• STA2032 Applied data analysis

Level three

• MTH3241 Mathematics for bioinformatics
• MTH3251 Financial mathematics
• STA3042 Time series and statistical inference

Sequence requirements

Applied statistics

Minor sequence in applied statistics (24 points):

• STA1010 and MTH1030, and
• MTH2021 and STA2032.

Mathematical statistics

Minor sequence in statistics (24 points):

• MTH1030 and MTH2010, and
• MTH2222 and STA2032.

Major sequence in mathematical statistics (48 points):

• either MTH1030 and MTH2010, or MTH1030 and STA1010, and
• MTH2222, STA2032 and at least one of MTH2010, MTH2021 or MTH2111, and
• MTH3241, MTH3251, STA3042 and up to six additional points from the MTH units at level two or three.

Details of the MTH units and some related sequences are provided in the `Mathematics' entry in this section of the handbook.

Level one

STA1010 is introductory and does not require that a student has completed any previous studies in statistics, although it is most suitable for those who have completed either VCE Mathematical Methods units 3 and 4 or SCI1020.

Students considering completing a major sequence in mathematical statistics who have not completed VCE Specialist Mathematics with an average grade of B or above should take MTH1020 before MTH1030, as well as STA1010. Students with an average grade of B or above are advised to complete MTH1030 and MTH2010 at level one.

Level two

MTH2222 covers the theoretical material needed to complete a major sequence in mathematical statistics. It is only offered in second semester, so students who wish to complete MTH2222 and who have not completed MTH2010, MTH2021 or MTH2111 by the end of the first semester must take MTH2010 concurrently with MTH2222. STA2032 is an applied statistics unit with STA1010 or MTH1030 as a prerequisite.

Level three

A major sequence in statistics includes the three units MTH3241, MTH3251 and STA3042 at level three. Students who complete MTH2010 but not STA1010 at first level and who do not complete either MTH2021 or MTH2111 at second level will have to complete an additional mathematics unit at either level two or three.

Honours

An honours program in mathematical statistics is available; see the `Mathematics' discipline entry for further details. Some honours lecture topics are taught through the Key Centre for Statistical Science, which is a collaborative arrangement between Monash University, the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and RMIT.

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