STATS 399 : Capstone: Statistics in Action
Science
2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
- Statistical practice: generating solutions for real-life problems by analysing data, interpreting model outputs, and formulating algorithms with reproducible R code.
- Communication: oral, written, and graphical presentation of technical concepts and findings aimed at a range of different audiences.
- Cooperation: students will experience working in a variety of different teams. They will be expected to provide constructive feedback to peers, respond to critique, and reflect on their own role and contribution to collective efforts. Supporting the success of other students is a fundamental component of success in this 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 |
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate the knowledge and skills acquired from previous statistics courses to tackle concrete problems relevant to the real world (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
- Apply analytical and communication skills to tackle unfamiliar problems based on contextual descriptions (Capability 2, 3 and 4)
- Communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual presentations, and develop an accessible and inclusive communication style (Capability 4 and 6)
- Demonstrate time management, organisation, and problem-solving skills (Capability 3, 5 and 6)
- Work effectively and cooperatively in a team and exhibit self-awareness and interpersonal skills (Capability 4, 5 and 6)
- Evaluate work from peers, deliver constructive feedback, and respond to peer feedback of own contributions (Capability 2, 4, 5 and 6)
- Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues in analytic work, including environmental sustainability, data sovereignty, and integrity in communicating results. Acknowledge and accommodate diverse viewpoints, especially respecting Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Capability 5 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 40% | Peer Coursework |
| Reports | 40% | Peer Coursework |
| Reflection | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Discussions | 10% | Peer Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||||
| Presentation | ||||||||||
| Reports | ||||||||||
| Reflection | ||||||||||
| Discussions | ||||||||||
Eleven projects are set throughout the course. Students can gain an approved absence if they need to miss a project on medical or compassionate grounds.
Participation in all 11 projects is expected. A minimum requirement to pass the course is active participation in at least 7 projects. Students with absences for 5 or more projects will receive a DNC grade (Did Not Complete), whether or not the absences are approved.
If a student fails to participate in 2 projects, they will be temporarily suspended. In this case, they will not be allocated to teams for ongoing projects until they contact the instructors with a request to resume participation.
In calculating final grades, the lowest-scoring project for each student will be removed from the projects the student actively participated in. Projects for which students were absent without approval will be retained for the final grade calculation.
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
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:
- 2 hours of contact time with instructors and peers during timetabled class sessions;
- 6-7 hours contributing towards team reports and presentations, including team meetings and individual work;
- 1-2 hours completing peer evaluations and individual exercises.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
- Attendance is required at scheduled class sessions to receive credit for the activities covered in each session.
- There are no formal lectures. Class sessions are typically not recorded.
- The course may include live online meetings such as team discussions.
- There is no test or exam. Assessment is based 100% on coursework and participation.
- The activities for the course are scheduled to follow a standard weekly timetable.
- This course is available for remote students should the need arise.
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 are no coursebooks or study materials. Learning takes place through attendance and participation in class workshops and out-of-class activities.
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.
Course content and delivery is constantly evolving in response to student feedback.
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.