COURSE OUTLINE: MH3500

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successfully completing this course, you should be able to:

1. Apply basic probability concepts such as PMF, PDF, CDF, expected values, variance, and moments in a statistical context and perform the involved computations of series and integrals.
2. Use standard probability distributions to model statistical scenarios and to derive useful conclusions from computations based on these distributions.
3. Explain the relevance of the Central Limit Theorem for statistics.
4. Construct parameter estimators using the maximum likelihood method and the method of moments.
5. Rigorously assess the quality of parameter estimators.
6. Analyse the asymptotic properties of parameter estimators.
7. Construct exact and approximate confidence intervals.
8. Explain the purpose and philosophy of hypothesis testing, as well as the meaning of p-values.
9. Given a dataset, create and apply a useful hypothesis test based on these data.
10. Compute the size and power of a hypothesis test.
11. Construct most powerful tests using the Neyman-Pearson Lemma.

Course Content

Review of probability

Random samples, sample mean and sample variance, distributions derived from the normal distribution, Central Limit Theorem and its significance for statistics

Introduction to parameter estimation, quality criteria for parameter estimators

Constructing good estimators: method of moments and maximum likelihood method

Asymptotic properties of estimators, Cramer-Rao bound and efficient estimators

Confidence intervals for estimators

Introduction to hypothesis testing and Fisher-type tests

Neyman-Pearson tests and Neyman-Pearson Lemma

Assessment

Formative Feedback

Midterm exam: Feedback on common mistakes and the level of difficulty of the problems is given.

Assignment: Students will receive individual feedback on their performance in the assignments during the tutorial sessions.

Learning and Teaching Approach

Reading and References

John A. Rice: Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis, Third Edition,
ISBN-13: 978-8131519547
ISBN-10: 8131519546

Course Policies and Student Responsibilities

Absence Due to Medical or Other Reasons

If you are sick and not able to attend a quiz or midterm, you have to submit the original Medical Certificate (or another relevant document) to the administration to obtain official leave. In this case, the missed assessment component will not be counted towards the final grade. There are no make-up quizzes or make-up midterm.

Academic Integrity

Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of your work as a student relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and to the NTU Honour Code, a set of values shared by the whole university community. Truth, Trust and Justice are at the core of NTU’s shared values.

As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding and applying the principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not knowing what is involved in maintaining academic integrity does not excuse academic dishonesty. You need to actively equip yourself with strategies to avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic fraud, collusion and cheating. If you are uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you should go to the Academic Integrity website for more information. Consult your instructor(s) if you need any clarification about the requirements of academic integrity in the course.

Course Instructors

Planned Weekly Schedule