Clayton First semester 2008 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2008 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2008 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2008 (Day)
Scientific method. The role of mathematical models in science. Principles of experimental and sampling design, data acquisition, analysis and presentation of data. Hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. Relationship between quantitative variables. Communication of scientific information.
On completion of this unit, students will understand the key steps of the scientific method and how these are applied to real problems that involve data analysis and interpretation, and will gain an appreciation of how statistical data is collected, analysed and stored, and the importance of statistical techniques in the analysis of data. Students will be able to use Excel to present and interpret data graphically, determine confidence intervals, calculate normal probabilities, carry out regression and interpret results, conduct hypothesis testing and interpret results, and to communicate findings through a scientific report. The unit is designed for students without a strong mathematics background.
Written examination: 60%
Assignments: 40%
3 hours lectures per week, 2 hours workshop per week