STATS 100 : Concepts in Statistics

Science

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A first exposure to statistics that builds data handling and literacy skills and develops conceptual thinking through active participation in problems using real data, computer simulations and group work. STATS 100 makes full use of appropriate technology and prepares students to use statistics in their own disciplines.

Course Overview

The overall goal of STATS 100 is to increase your confidence and your personal interest in Statistics. So if you've done a little bit of Statistics study in the past or avoided it completely, and/or think Statistics is boring or difficult, then this course should convince you how awesome working with data really is! STATS 100 will develop your conceptual understanding of Statistics through active participation in problems using real data, hands-on activities, and projects. The course uses a range of computational tools and focuses on data literacy across a wide range of disciplines. The lectures are designed to be interactive and the weekly topics build on each other over the course. If you intend to study any subject that requires working with data, this course will help you build strong foundations in the key concepts of Statistics.

Course Requirements

Restriction: May not be taken with, or after passing, any other Statistics course

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Manipulate data and work with a range of data sources (Capability 1)
  2. Select and apply appropriate technology and software to analyse data (Capability 1)
  3. Reason critically with data and models when forming arguments or making decisions (Capability 2)
  4. Use mathematical representations in the process of developing models (Capability 3)
  5. Produce written summaries that utilise statistical thinking and clearly communicate uncertainty (Capability 3 and 4)
  6. Design, conduct, and evaluate statistical investigations (Capability 1 and 4)
  7. Describe responsible and ethical practices for using data (Capability 5)
  8. Consider social consequences of data-based decisions (Capability 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Quizzes 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Final Exam
Quizzes
Assignments

A minimum of 45% is required in the exam to pass, in addition to a minimum of 50% in overall mark.

Tuākana

Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html

Statistics has a Tuākana Programme where there is a workspace and a social space shared with Science Tuakana students. Tutorials and one-to-one assistance are available. Tuākana tutors/mentors work alongside the lecturer to support students with assignments and revision for the quizzes and exams. For more information and to find contact details for the Statistics Tuākana coordinator, please see https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html

Contacts are Susan Wingfield (s.wingfield@auckland.ac.nz) and Heti Afimeimounga (h.afimeimounga@auckland.ac.nz).

Key Topics

  • Topic 1: Making predictions
  • Topic 2: Conducting tests
  • Topic 3: Building models
  • Topic 4: Informing decisions

Special Requirements

  • The quizzes may be held at a time other than the standard lecture time, including in the evening.
  • The quizzes and the final exam are computer-based.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and so students are expected to spend 12.5 hours each week per course over the semester completing learning tasks such as attending lectures, completing weekly assignments, attending tutorials, and revising for quizzes and the exam.

For this course, a typical weekly workload includes:

  • 3 hours of lectures
  • Weekly drop-in help sessions
  • 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content
  • 3-4 hours of work on assignments, quizzes, or exam preparation

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

  • Lectures will be available as recordings.
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

There is a course book for this course, which can be accessed within Canvas.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

For 2023, the weighting of the assignments has been increased to 30% and the weighting of the quizzes has been decreased to 20%.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 01/11/2022 09:37 a.m.