STATS 210 : Statistical Theory
Science
2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
STATS 210 introduces the theory that underlies the statistical methods used in practical statistics courses. It is aimed at students who enjoy maths and are interested in probability and statistics. It is a core course for students in the Statistics and Probability pathway and optional for those pursuing the Applied Statistics pathway, a Statistics major, or a Data Science Specialisation. It is useful for students with interests in Econometrics, Operations Research, Finance, and theoretical aspects of Marketing Research, as well as those who have Maths or Statistics as their main interest. STATS 210 is a prerequisite for STATS 310.
If you have a weak mathematics background (C+ or lower in Stage 1 mathematics and/or STATS 125) then it is recommended that you take STATS 210 after passing the stage 2 mathematics co-requisite rather than taking it at the same time as the stage 2 mathematics co-requisite. Doing this will substantially improve your chances of passing this course.
Course Requirements
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
Learning Outcomes
- Quantify uncertainty and randomness by using probability. (Capability 3, 5 and 6)
- Recognise and use important discrete and continuous distributions and their connections . (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Compute probabilities for continuous random variables (including bivariate) by using the probability density function and the cumulative distribution function. (Capability 3 and 5)
- Perform hypothesis tests in a variety of situations involving both discrete and continuous random variables. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Estimate the parameters of continuous or discrete distributions by using maximum likelihood methodology. (Capability 3 and 5)
- Calculate expectation and variance for discrete and continuous random variables (including bivariate). (Capability 3 and 5)
- Transform discrete and continuous random variables (including bivariate). (Capability 3 and 5)
- Apply the central limit theorem (Capability 3 and 5)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 22% | Individual Coursework |
| Tutorials | 8% | Individual Coursework |
| Test | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Tutorials | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
45% in the final exam as well as 50% overall is required to pass
Key Topics
- Discrete distributions
- Statistical inference
- Statistical regression modelling
- Continuous distributions
- Bivariate distributions
- The central limit theorem
Special Requirements
Tuākana
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).
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 150 hours per semester involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, a typical weekly workload includes:
- 3 hours of lectures
- A 1-hour tutorial
- 4 hours of reading and thinking about the content
- 4-5 hours of work on assignments and/or test/exam preparation
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
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.
Coursebook:
- A pdf copy of the course book will be available on 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 2025 we plan to add probability questions to the first tutorial and quiz so that the course begins with help on assumed knowledge in both mathematics and probability. This will help students utilize the knowledge acquired from the pre-requisite course STATS 125. It will also aid those students (e.g. ENGSCI) who have this pre-requisite waived.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, 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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.