STA1010 - Statistical methods for science

Leader: Dr Anthony Lun (Clayton) and Assoc Prof Philip Rayment (Gippsland/OCL)

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2008 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

Descriptive statistics, scatter plots, correlation, line of best fit. Elementary probability theory. Confidence intervals and hypothesis tests using normal, t and binomial distributions. Use of computer software. Formal treatment of statistical analyses and the role of probability in statistical inference.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students will understand the key steps of the 'scientific method' and how these can be applied to real problems that involve data analysis and interpretation; gain an appreciation of: how statistical data is collected, analysed and stored, the meaning of population parameters such as mean, standard deviation, and median and the importance of statistical techniques in the analysis of data; understand how to: present and interpret data graphically, determine confidence intervals for population parameters, distinguish between a population parameter and a sample statistic, determine which statistical technique is appropriate in a given context, be able to perform simple statistical operations using Excel, take a random sample from a population and determine when data fits a statistical hypothesis, be able to prepare and write a scientific report.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 60%
Assignments/ laboratories and tests: 40%
Students must pass the examination to be awarded a pass grade.

Contact hours

Three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour support class per week and six 1-hour computer laboratories.

Prerequisites

VCE Mathematical methods 3 & 4

Prohibitions

BUS1100, ETW1102, MAT1097, ETC1000 and STA2010 + Students who have completed STA1010 cannot subsequently undertake SCI1020