Module title & Course code
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
MAS113
Lecturer
Dr Jeremy Oakley
Course description
The module provides an introduction to the fields of probability and statistics, which form the basis of
much of applicable mathematics and operations research. The theory behind probability and statistics
will be introduced, along with examples occurring in such diverse areas as gambling, random walks,
medical statistics and so on. Some of the computational statistical work may make use of the statistics
package R.
Further
module
only?
No
University course content
A Level course content
Module
Set theory
Basic coverage of drawing and interpreting Venn diagrams, union, intersection
and complement, events and sample spaces.
Probability
Probabilities based on symmetry, relative frequencies, P(A and B), P(A or B),
P(A|B), independent events, mutually exclusive events.
S1
(optional
unit)
S1
No
Discrete random variables
Allocating probabilities, calculation of expectation and variance. Expectation and
variance of aX + B
S1
Binomial distribution
Recognising when a binomial model might be appropriate, calculation of
probabilities using calculator, mean and variance
Poisson distribution
Recognising when a Poisson model might be appropriate, calculation of
probabilities using calculator, mean and variance. Poisson approximation to the
binomial distribution.
S2
Usually
(optional
unit)
S2
Usually
No