sta1ss statistical science

STATISTICAL SCIENCE

STA1SS

2018

Credit points: 15

This subject addresses La Trobe's Sustainability Thinking Essential. Sustainability Thinking entails deep appreciation of how the choices we make affects the natural, economic, social, political and cultural systems — now and in the future.

Subject outline

This subjectprovides an introduction to applied and theoretical statistics. (The appliedcomponent of this subject is identical to the content covered in STA1LS.) Itintroduces students to the basic applied statistical methods used in the biological sciences, medicalsciences, agricultural sciences, nutrition, and health sciences and also provides an introduction to themathematical theory used in the area of statistics. The three main areas ofstudy are descriptivestatistics, probability, and statistical inference and theuse of a statistical computing package is an integral part of this subject. The strengths and limitations of statisticalmodels to enable informed thinking about sustainability are explored. This subject is a possible pre-requisitefor the second-year subjects in statistics.

SchoolSchool Engineering&Mathematical Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorDavid Farchione

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Year-12 mathematics.

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects STA1LS; STA1PSY; STA1IDA; STA1STM; STA1CTS; ECO1ISB

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsIntroductory Statistics: a problem-solving approach, 2nd ed.RecommendedKokoska, S. (2015).FREEMAN
ReadingsManual for SPSS and R with Examples from the Life SciencesPrescribedFarchione, D. (2018)La Trobe

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Convert data into information by using appropriate numerical and graphical summaries.

Activities:
Lectures: In the lectures we introduce the basic statistical tools used in statistics and apply these tools to practical examples in the Life Sciences discipline. Practice Classes: Students work through practical examples by applying the concepts and techniques learnt in the lectures. Computer Labs: Students use the SPSS statistical computer package to work through practical examples.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Quantitative Literacy)

02. Calculate probabilities and other quantities from discrete and continuous probability distributions and by applying the basic rules of probability.

Activities:
Lectures: In the lectures we introduce the basic statistical tools used in statistics and apply these tools to practical examples in the Life Sciences discipline. Practice Classes: Students work through practical examples by applying the concepts and techniques learnt in the lectures. Computer Labs: Students use the SPSS statistical computer package to work through practical examples.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Quantitative Literacy)

03. Identify and apply appropriate statistical inference methods for decision making.

Activities:
Lectures: In the lectures we introduce the basic statistical tools used in statistics and apply these tools to practical examples in the Life Sciences discipline. Practice Classes: Students work through practical examples by applying the concepts and techniques learnt in the lectures. Computer Labs: Students use the SPSS statistical computer package to work through practical examples.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Quantitative Literacy)

04. Compute, display and interpret numerical and graphical summaries, probabilities and various statistical inference procedures using the statistical software package SPSS.

Activities:
Lectures: In the lectures we introduce the basic statistical tools used in statistics and apply these tools to practical examples in the Life Sciences discipline. Computer Labs: Students use the SPSS statistical computer package to work through practical examples.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Quantitative Literacy)

05. Apply basic mathematical theoretical techniques in the area of statistics.

Activities:
Lectures: In the lectures we introduce basic mathematical theory in the area of statistics. Practice Classes: Students work through examples using basic theoretical techniques learnt in the lectures.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Quantitative Literacy)

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorDavid Farchione

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours practical per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
"The unscheduled online class will involve readings that describe the basics of statistical theory. These readings are accompanied by video clips that help explain the theory."

Computer LaboratoryWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours computer laboratory per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
One 3-hour examination6001, 02, 03, 04, 05
Five assignments (equivalent to 1500 words)4001, 02, 03, 04, 05