6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
School of Mathematical Sciences
Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Jonathan Keith (Clayton)
Dr Daniel McInnes (Clayton)
Professor Catherine Yule (Malaysia)
Unit guides
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.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Understand the key steps of the scientific method and how it can be applied to real problems that involve data analysis and interpretation;
- Appreciate how statistical data is collected, analysed and stored;
- Understand the meaning of population parameters such as mean, standard deviation, and median;
- Understand the importance of statistical techniques in the analysis of data;
- Present and interpret data graphically;
- Determine confidence intervals for population parameters, and distinguish between a population parameter and a sample statistic;
- Determine the appropriate statistical technique for a given context;
- Perform simple statistical operations using Excel;
- Take a random sample from a population and determine whether data fits a statistical hypothesis;
- Prepare and write a scientific report.
Assessment
Examination (3 hours): 60% (Hurdle)
Continuous assessment: 40%
Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve at least 50% overall and at least 40% for the end-of-semester exam.
Workload requirements
Three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour support class per week
See also Unit timetable information
Chief examiner(s)
This unit applies to the following area(s) of study
Prerequisites
SCI1020, VCE Mathematical methods 3 and 4, or equivalent international qualifications listed in the Unit Guide.