SCI1020 - Introduction to statistical reasoning - 2018

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

Science

Organisational Unit

School of Mathematical Sciences

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Daniel McInnes

Coordinator(s)

Dr Dianne Atkinson (Clayton, Semester 1, 2)
Dr Daniel McInnes (Clayton, Semester 1, 2)
Dr Ashwini Gengatharan (Malaysia, Semester 2)
Dr Zobaer Hasan (Malaysia, October semester)

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)

Malaysia

  • Second semester 2018 (On-campus)
  • October intake 2018 (On-campus)

Prohibitions

STA1010, ETC1000, ETW1000, ETW1102, ETX1100, FIT1006, MTH1030. Note that SCI1020 is an introductory unit and students who have already completed one of these prohibited units cannot subsequently enrol in SCI1020. Students who have completed MTH1030 should enrol in STA1010 instead.

Synopsis

Scientific method. Graphical and numerical summary of data. Principles of experimental and sampling design, data acquisition, and the presentation of data. The role of mathematical models in science by investigating the relationship between quantitative variables. Analysis of data using the inferential statistical methods of hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. Communication of scientific information.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Understand the key steps of the scientific method and apply these to real problems that involve data analysis and interpretation;
  2. Understand the importance of statistical techniques in the analysis of data;
  3. Describe how statistical data is collected and analysed;
  4. Use Excel to present and interpret data in numerical summaries and/or graphs;
  5. Use appropriate statistical summaries to explore data;
  6. Perform regression and interpret results;
  7. Determine confidence intervals;
  8. Conduct hypothesis testing and interpret results;
  9. Make statistical decisions and communicate findings in a meaningful scientific way.

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 per week and one 2-hour workshop per week

See also Unit timetable information