Advanced Statistics MSc
Advanced Statistics Project and Dissertation STATS5091P
- Academic Session: 2024-25
- School: School of Mathematics and Statistics
- Credits: 60
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Summer
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
Short Description
This project provides Master's-level students in Statistics with an opportunity to carry out an independent piece of statistical analysis, and to present their investigation in the form of a dissertation.
Timetable
Supervisory meetings to be arranged at certain fixed points, typically, weeks 2, 5/6 and 8/9, with additional weekly support sessions.
Excluded Courses
Statistics Project and Dissertation (STATS5029P)
Statistics Project and Dissertation with Placement (STATS5XXXP)
Assessment
Interim assessment (20%, including a presentation and mini-viva) + dissertation (80%).
Course Aims
The aims of this course are:
■ to give students experience of working independently on an advanced piece of statistical analysis, including developing new statistical methodology as appropriate;
■ to develop written and verbal presentation and communication skills.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ integrate the knowledge and skills they have gained from other components of their degree programme in order to carry out an extended piece of statistical analysis;
■ investigate and describe in detail the background to the project;
■ formulate the aims of the analysis and specific questions of interest in appropriate technical and non-technical language;
■ explain the role of statistics in answering the questions of interest;
■ identify relevant statistical methodology, if necessary including methods not formally introduced in other components of their degree programme;
■ formulate an appropriate analysis plan, and update it as required;
■ implement their chosen methods using statistical packages and programming as required;
■ check the validity of the assumptions underpinning their chosen methods;
■ interpret the results and write appropriate conclusions in technical and non-technical language;
■ explain clearly the implications and limitations of the analysis;
■ defend their analyses and conclusions in a mini-viva;
■ present the work of the project in the form of a written report in a well-structured, precise and clear manner.
Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits
Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.