MAS8618 : Graduate Foundations of Probability and Statistics (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Tom Nye
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aim of this module is to provide students with a comprehensive and rigorous foundation in the principles and techniques of probability and mathematical statistics. This module is designed to equip students with both the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary for advanced study of application areas
Outline Of Syllabus
Introduction to probability by means of sets, outcomes and events. Detailed study of probability measures and conditional probability. Overview of random variables, including transformations, expectations, moment generating functions, and basic concentration inequalities. . Coverage of key families of univariate distributions. Basic properties of bivariate distributions: marginal and conditional distributions, and covariance. Introduction to Statistical inference: estimation of population quantities, properties of estimators. Law of large numbers and central limit theorem. Parameter inference via maximum likelihood estimation.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 12:00 | 24:00 | Preparation for in course assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Revision lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 18 | 2:00 | 36:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:30 | 2:30 | Completion of unseen exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 10 | 4:15 | 42:30 | Preparation for unseen exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Problem classes |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | Review of in course assessments |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 40 | 2:00 | 80:00 | Preparation time for lectures, consolidation of material, background reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Problem classes are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems.
The teaching methods are appropriate to allow students to develop a wide range of skills. From understanding basic concepts and facts to higher-order thinking.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 150 | 1 | A | 80 | 2.5 hour written exam, comprising a Section A and a Section B |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 20 | 40 minute class test, conducted during one of the timetabled one hour lecture slots. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 40 minute class test, conducted during one of the timetabled one hour lecture slots. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The format of the examination will enable students to reliably demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding and application of learning outcomes.
Examination problems may require a synthesis of concepts and strategies from different sections, while they may have more than one way for solution. The examination time allows the students to test different strategies, work out examples and gather evidence for deciding on an effective strategy, while carefully articulating their ideas and explicitly citing the theory they are using.
The coursework assignments allow the students to develop their problem-solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; the summative assessment has a secondary formative purpose as well as its primary summative purpose.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MAS8618's Timetable