STA213: Introduction to Statistical Methods

Description

• Basic probability theory, Random variables, Expectations, Families of probability distribution functions, Concepts of convergence.
• Principles of statistical inference, Likelihood based inference, Frequentist and Bayesian paradigms.
• Sampling distributions and hypothesis testing.

The course text is Probability and Statistics by DeGroot & Schervish (Fourth Edition). Almost all class materials are distributed both via this website; occasionally, some materials will only be available on Blackboard. Grades will also be returned to you via Blackboard. The course synopsis here.

Pre-requisites

Homework

Office hours

Resources

Important Dates

Grades

Grades will be assigned by a percentage system. At the end of the semester, Midterm, HW and Final grades will be normalized within each category in order to calculate the final course grade.

Homework:	20%	Due once a week
Midterm:	40%	Thursday, Oct 27th
Final Exam:	40%	Tuesday, Dec 13th

Tentative Grading Scale 90-100% A; 80-90% B; 70-80% C; 55-70% D; below 55% F

Academic Integrity

Duke University is a community dedicated to scholarship, leadership, and service and to the principles of honesty, fairness, respect, and accountability. Citizens of this community commit to reflect upon and uphold these principles in all academic and non-academic endeavors, and to protect and promote a culture of integrity. Cheating on exams, plagiarism on homeworks and projects, lying about an illness or absence and other forms of academic dishonesty are a breach of trust with classmates and faculty, and will not be tolerated. They also violate Duke's Community Standard and will be referred to the Undergraduate Judicial Board (UJB).

Excused Absence

Students who miss tests or assignments due to a scheduled varsity athletic trip or religious holiday should submit an online NOVAP or RHoliday form, respectively, at least a week ahead of time and meet with me to arrange to make up the work (often before the scheduled event).

Those with a personal emergency or bereavement should seek a Dean's Excuse; check with your academic dean for details, and see me as soon as possible after your return to schedule make-up work. Duke does not issue Dean's Excuses for short-term incapacitating illness; if you are too ill to complete an assignment or attend an examination, inform me as soon as possible using the online Illness Form, and see me to make arrangements to make up the missed work.

No excuse is needed simply for missing class, only for missed assignments and examinations. Note that the Community Standard sanctions apply for abuse of this procedure.

Grading Errors

Although every effort will be made to mark your work accurately, sometimes grading mistakes happen. If you believe that an error has been made on an in-class problem or exam, return the paper to the instructor immediately, stating your claim in writing.

The following claims will be considered for re-grading:

• points don't add up correctly;
• the grader did not see a correct answer that is on your paper;
• your answer is the same as the correct answer, but in a different form (e.g., you wrote a correct answer as 1/3 and the grader was looking for .333);
• your answer to a free response question is essentially correct but stated slightly differently than the grader's interpretation;
• your answer is correct but uses a different (but correct!) method.

Considering re-grades takes up valuable time and resources that TAs and the instructor would rather spend helping you understand material. Please be considerate and only bring claims of the above types!