Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science
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Statistics involves the investigation of data, the study of randomness, probabilistic modelling, estimation and prediction. Statistics is an increasingly important field of study. In part this is because greater and greater amounts of data are produced every year - as society becomes more complex and as the computer continues to make it easier to store and analyse data.
The subjects offered by the Statistics department are concerned not only with the techniques, but also the underlying theory, so that the statistical methods may be adapted to a wide variety of situations. Students are assumed to have a sound mathematical background.
The suggested courses listed below are designed for students intending to take Statistics as a major field of study.
It is recommended that students take some 300 level Mathematics units
Students taking subjects for which practical work or examinations include numerical calculations shall be required to provide themselves with electronic calculators of an approved type.
Students planning to proceed to the degree of BSc (Hons) in Mathematical Statistics are strongly advised to consult the Statistics Fourth Year Coordinator (Dr K Sharpe) about appropriate subjects to include in their course. Students will be permitted to enter fourth year if they are awarded faculty Honours and have passed at least four of the subjects 619-310, 619-320, 619-330, 619-340, 619-355, 619-360. Of these subjects, 619-310 is strongly recommended. 618-301 and 618-302 are also recommended.
Students wishing to take major studies in Statistics or to proceed to BSc (Hons) in Mathematical Statistics should consult the Department about appropriate subjects in Mathematics to be included in their course.
Students will be permitted to enter fourth year if they are awarded faculty Honours and have at least a H3 average in 60 points of 300-level Statistics subjects. In addition students are strongly advised to take some 300-level Mathematics subjects.
Students who do not meet the above requirements but who achieve very good results in other areas may be considered for entry to fourth year on the recommendation of the Head of the Department of Statistics.
There is one Statistics subject offered at 100-level. However, at 100-level Statistics can also be taken as a part of Mathematical Sciences 617-141 and 617-142 (see the Mathematical Sciences entry). Statistics 619-100, or 617-141 or 617-142 must be taken as prerequisite for second-year Statistics subjects.
Three Statistics subjects are offered at 200-level:
619-201 is an introductory Statistics subject which can be taken by students majoring in other disciplines. The emphasis in this subject is on applications and methods.
619-202 is the standard second year Statistics subject for students intending to major in Statistics, for students intending to take some 300-level Statistics, and for students with a good mathematical background. It is strongly recommended that students taking this subject should also take some 200-level Mathematics concurrently (or have taken some previously).
619-230 is an introduction to statistical methods involving sampling and simulation. 619-201 is a prerequisite.
Note: 619-496 and 619-497 must be taken concurrently. To successfully complete the Honours program in Statistics, students must obtain marks of 65% or better in both 619-496 and 619-497.
618-497 Combined Mathematics/Statistics Coursework and 618-496 Combined Mathematics/Statistics Research Project. Refer Mathematics Section.
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 10 1995 Last modified: Oct 10 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Faculty of Science
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.