Probability for Inference

Subject MAST30020 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 02-Mar-2015 to 31-May-2015
Assessment Period End 26-Jun-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 13-Mar-2015
Census Date 31-Mar-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 08-May-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 3 x one hour lectures per week, 1 x one hour practice class per week
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Prerequisites:

One of

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Plus either

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50

Or

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

(MAST20006 must have a result grade of H2B or above)

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof Konstantin Borovkov

Contact

Third Year Coordinator

Email: tycoord@ms.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject introduces a measured-theoretic approach to probability theory and presents its fundamentals concepts and results.

Topics covered include: probability spaces and random variables, expectation, conditional expectation and distributions, elements of multivariate distribution theory, modes of convergence in probabilty theory, characteristics functions and their application in key limit theorems.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject students should:

  • Have a systematic understanding of the fundamentals of modern probability theory;
  • Know and be able to work with the most important univariate and multivariate probability distributions;
  • Have a good knowledge of general conditional expectations, integral transforms and key ideas of different modes of convergence of random variables and distributions.
Assessment:

Ten written assignments due at weekly intervals during semester amounting to a total of up to 50 pages (20%), and a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (80%).

Prescribed Texts:

None

Recommended Texts:

A.F. Karr, Probability, 1st Ed. Springer, New York, 1993.

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include:

  • problem-solving skills: the ability to engage with unfamiliar problems and identify relevant solution strategies;
  • analytical skills: the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of analysis;
  • collaborative skills: the ability to work in a team;
  • time-management skills: the ability to meet regular deadlines while balancing competing commitments.
Notes:

This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.

This subject was previously titled MAST30020 Probability and Statistical Inference

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG.
Selective subjects for B-BMED
Statistics / Stochastic Processes
Statistics / Stochastic Processes
Statistics / Stochastic Processes
Statistics / Stochastic Processes
Statistics / Stochastic Processes (specialisation of Mathematics and Statistics major)

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