To provide a systematic introduction to major ideas of statistical inference, with an emphasis on likelihood methods of modelling, estimation, and testing.
Pre-requisites:
ST228 Mathematical Methods for Statistics and Probability, ST229 Probability for Mathematical Statistics.
This module is core for students with their home department in Statistics. It is not available to other students, for whom ST232/ST233 (Introduction to Mathematical Statistics) is provided as an alternative.
Leads To: many ST3 and ST4 modules.
To provide a systematic introduction to major ideas of statistical inference, with an emphasis on the mathematical underpinnings of modelling using likelihoods, and on model selection and testing.
A good understanding of these ideas is crucial preparation for further investigation of applied and methodological statistics, machine learning, and the core statistical aspects of data science.
The module will consolidate the initial understanding developed in the first-year common core for Statistics students.
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
This module continues the systematic study of the theory of mathematical statistics.
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
Main reference book for this module:
Further possibilities for reference:
3. Probability and statistics by example: 1: Basic probability and statistics, Y. M. Suhov, M. Kelbert.
4. Introductory Statistics, S.M. Ross.
5. Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists, S. M. Ross.
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Select and apply appropriate mathematical and/or statistical techniques.
Create structured and coherent arguments communicating them in written form.
Construct and develop logical mathematical arguments with clear identification of assumptions and conclusions.
Written communication skills: Students complete written assessments that require precise and unambiguous communication in the manner and style expected in mathematical sciences.
Verbal communication skills: Students are encouraged to discuss and debate formative assessment and lecture material within small-group tutorials sessions. Students can continually discuss specific aspects of the module with the module leader. This is facilitated by statistics staff office hours.
Problem-solving skills: The module requires students to solve problems with complex solutions and this requirement is embedded in the module’s assessment.
| Type | Required | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 sessions of 1 hour (20%) | 2 sessions of 1 hour |
| Seminars | 4 sessions of 1 hour (4%) | |
| Private study | 64 hours (64%) | |
| Assessment | 12 hours (12%) | |
| Total | 100 hours |
Weekly revision of lecture notes and materials, wider reading and practice exercises, working on problem sets and preparing for examination.
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problem Set 1 | 2% | 2 hours 30 minutes | No |
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A problem sheet that include problem solving and calculations. Problem sheets will be set at fortnightly intervals. The problem sheets will contain a number of questions for which solutions and / or written responses will be required. The preparation and completion time noted below refers to the amount of time in hours that a well-prepared student who has attended lectures and carried out an appropriate amount of independent study on the material could expect to spend on this assignment. |
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| Problem Set 2 | 3% | 2 hours 30 minutes | No |
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A problem sheet that include problem solving and calculations. Problem sheets will be set at fortnightly intervals. The problem sheets will contain a number of questions for which solutions and / or written responses will be required. The preparation and completion time noted below refers to the amount of time in hours that a well-prepared student who has attended lectures and carried out an appropriate amount of independent study on the material could expect to spend on this assignment. |
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| Problem Set 3 | 2% | 2 hours 30 minutes | No |
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A problem sheet that include problem solving and calculations. Problem sheets will be set at fortnightly intervals. The problem sheets will contain a number of questions for which solutions and / or written responses will be required. The preparation and completion time noted below refers to the amount of time in hours that a well-prepared student who has attended lectures and carried out an appropriate amount of independent study on the material could expect to spend on this assignment. |
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| Problem Set 4 | 3% | 2 hours 30 minutes | No |
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A problem sheet that include problem solving and calculations. Problem sheets will be set at fortnightly intervals. The problem sheets will contain a number of questions for which solutions and / or written responses will be required. The preparation and completion time noted below refers to the amount of time in hours that a well-prepared student who has attended lectures and carried out an appropriate amount of independent study on the material could expect to spend on this assignment. |
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| Mathematical Statistics examination | 90% | 2 hours | No |
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You will be required to answer all questions on this examination paper.
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| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person Examination - Resit | 100% | No | |
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You will be required to answer all questions on this examination paper.
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Individual feedback will be provided on problem sheets by class tutors.
Cohort level feedback will be provided for the examination.
Students are actively encouraged to make use of office hours to build up their understanding, and to view all their interactions with lecturers and class tutors as feedback.
This module is Core for: