ST553      Half Unit
Probability and Mathematical Statistics II

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Konstantinos Kardaras

Availability

This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Statistics. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Pre-requisites

Probability and Mathematical Statistics I is a pre-requisite. 

Course content

This course provides instruction in advanced topics in probability and mathematical statistics, mainly based on martingale theory. It is a continuation of  Probability and Mathematical Statistics I. The following topics will in particular be covered:

  1. Conditional expectation revisited; linear regression; martingales and first examples.
  2. Concentration inequalities; dimension reduction; log-Sobolev inequalities.
  3. Martingale transforms; optional sampling theorem; convergence theorems.
  4.  Sequential testing; backwards martingales; law of large numbers; de Finetti’s theorem.
  5. Markov chains; recurrence; reversibility; foundations of MCMC.
  6. Ergodic theory.
  7. Brownian motion; quadratic variation; stochastic integration.
  8. Stochastic differential equations; diffusions; filtering.
  9. Bayesian updating; Ergodic diffusions; Langevin samplers.
  10. Brownian bridge; empirical processes; Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic.

Teaching

This course will be delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 30 hours across Lent Term. This year, some or all of this teaching may be delivered through a combination of virtual classes and flipped-lectures delivered as short online videos. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 9 problem sets in the LT.

Weekly problem sets that are discussed in subsequent seminars. The coursework that will be used for summative assessment will be chosen from a subset of these problems.

Indicative reading

  1. Williams, D. (1991). Probability with Martingales. Cambridge University Press.
  2. Durrett, R. (2019). Probability: Theory and Examples. Cambridge Series in Statistical and Probabilistic Mathematics.
  3. Karatzas, I, Shreve S. (1991). Brownian motion and Stochastic Calculus. Springer GTM.
  4. Shao, J. (2007). Mathematical Statistics. Springer Texts in Statistics.
  5. Keener, R. (2010). Theoretical Statistics. Springer Texts in Statistics.

Assessment

Exam (70%, duration: 3 hours, reading time: 10 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Coursework (30%).

Three of the homework problem sets will be submitted and marked as assessed coursework.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Statistics

Total students 2019/20: 4

Average class size 2019/20: 4

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Problem solving
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills