ST109      Half Unit
Elementary Statistical Theory I

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr James Abdey

Availability

This course is compulsory on the BSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics and BSc in Economics. This course is available on the Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.

This course cannot be taken with ST102 Elementary Statistical Theory or ST107 Quantitative Methods (Statistics).

Requisites

Mutually exclusive courses:

This course cannot be taken with ST107 or ST102 at any time on the same degree programme.

Additional requisites:

A-level Mathematics.

No previous knowledge of statistics is assumed.

Course content

The course provides a precise and accurate treatment of introductory probability and distribution theory. Topics covered are data visualisation and descriptive statistics, probability theory, random variables, common distributions of random variables and multivariate random variables.

Teaching

15 hours of classes, 11 hours of workshops and 20 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.

This course will be delivered through a combination of classes, lectures and workshops totalling a minimum of 45 hours in Autumn Term. This course does not include a reading week.

Formative assessment

Weekly exercises will be set and students are expected to submit solutions to their class teacher each week for feedback. 

 

Indicative reading

All course materials are made available via Moodle, including notes to accompany the lectures, but this can be supplemented with additional background reading. The recommended supplementary text is:

Larsen R.J. and M.L. Marx (2017) Introduction to Mathematical Statistics and Its Applications (sixth edition), Pearson (earlier editions are also fine).

Assessment

Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes, reading time: 10 minutes in the January exam period


Key facts

Department: Statistics

Course Study Period: Autumn Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 4

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 228

Average class size 2024/25: 23

Capped 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Problem solving
  • Application of numeracy skills