Course: STAT 24410=STAT 30030
Title: Statistical Theory and Methods Ia
Instructor(s): Daniel Sanz-Alonso
Teaching Assistant(s): Hai Tran Bach, Jiacheng Wang
Class Schedule: Sec 1: TR 2:00 PM-3:20 PM in Harper 140
Textbook(s): Rice, Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis, 3rd edition
Description: This course is the first quarter of a two-quarter sequence providing a principled development of statistical methods, including practical considerations in applying these methods to the analysis of data. The course begins with a brief review of probability and some elementary stochastic processes, such as Poisson processes, that are relevant to statistical applications. The bulk of the quarter covers principles of statistical inference from both frequentist and Bayesian points of view. Specific topics include maximum likelihood estimation, posterior distributions, confidence and credible intervals, principles of hypothesis testing, likelihood ratio tests, multinomial distributions, and chi-square tests. Additional topics may include diagnostic plots, bootstrapping, a critical comparison of Bayesian and frequentist inference, and the role of conditioning in statistical inference. Examples are drawn from the social, physical, and biological sciences. The statistical software package R will be used to analyze datasets from these fields and instruction in the use of R is part of the course.
Notes: Some previous experience with statistics helpful but not required. Concurrent or prior linear algebra (MATH 19620 or 20250 or STAT 24300 or equivalent) is recommended for students continuing to STAT 24510. Students may count either STAT 24400 or STAT 24410, but not both, toward the forty-two credits required for graduation.
