STAT 462/862
Fall 2011
Detail Course Syllabus
INSTRUCTOR
Andrew Day
I will be available Wednesday after class (4-5pm) or by appointment. I
may be reached by e-mail at daya@kgh.kari.net
RECOMMENDED TEXT: The Little SAS Book 4th Ed.
OTHER REFERENCES: The primary reference will be the posted class lectures notes
Additional References (links available at class webpage):
An Introduction to R (required reading)
S-Plus 6 for Windows: Programmer's Guide
STAT 462/862 Course Notes
SAS Online Doc: complete set of SAS manuals installed with SAS
CO-REQUISITES
STAT 361 (or equivalent) and CISC 101 (or equivalent)
or permission of the instructor
DESCRIPTION
An introduction to SAS and R. These two very different statistical software packages are
commonly used in the modern professional practice of statistics and are complimentary in their
strengths. SAS is a commercial production tool for high-volume data management, statistical
analysis and information delivery. R is a free language and environment for statistical computing
and graphics. The half of the term will cover R and the remaining half will cover SAS. Examples
from the practice of applied statistics will be used throughout the course.
EVALUATION:
Four major assignments (2 R and 2 SAS) worth 12.5% each. One
midterm R test worth 25% and one end of term SAS test worth 25%.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE*:
PART I: R
Week 1 (Sept 12/14)
 Course overview
 Introduction to R
 Getting help
 R language and syntax
 Introduction to objects
 Data values
 Logical values
 Masking
 Vectors
 Intro to using built in functions
 Probability and random numbers
* This is a projected schedule only. Timing and contents may change substantially.
STAT 462/862
Fall 2011
Detail Course Syllabus
Week 2 (Sept. 19/21)
 Matrices
 Arrays
 Lists
 Order of precedence
 Importing and exporting data
 Loading Packages
 Data frames
Week 3 (Sept. 26/28)
 Factors
 Time series
 Generic functions
 Writing functions
Week 4 (Oct. 3/5) - Assignment 1 due Oct 3
 Graphics
 Data analysis and modelling
Week 5 (Oct. 12)
 Programming techniques in R
 Simulation methods
 Finding derivatives, roots and max/min of functions (if time permits)
Week 6 (Oct. 17/19)
-Assignment 2 due Oct 17
-R test Oct 19 2:30-5:30 (tentative)
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SAS background
The SAS environment
SAS syntax
SAS help and documentation
Data in SAS
Week 7 (Oct. 24/26)
 Reading and writing data in SAS
 Debugging SAS
 Shorthand for listing variables
 Programming in the data step: flow of execution, generating data, pseudo random
numbers, simulation, arrays, advanced data reading
Week 8 (Oct. 31/Nov. 2)
 Introduction to procedures for the management, tabulation and description of data
* This is a projected schedule only. Timing and contents may change substantially.
STAT 462/862
Fall 2011
Detail Course Syllabus

The output delivery system (ODS)
Week 9 (Nov. 7/9)
 Altering and manipulating data
 Advanced text file generation
Week 10 (Nov. 14/16) - Assignment 3 Due Nov 14
 Statistical procedures, graphics and data analysis
Week 11 (Nov. 21/23)
 The SAS macro language
 Dynamically building code from data
Week 12 (Nov. 28/30) - Assignment 4 Due Nov. 30
 Structured Query Language (SQL)
 PROC IML (interactive matrix language)
 Simulation methods: Bootstrapping, randomization and permutation tests
- SAS test likely December 5th 4-6:30 or 7th 2:30-5:30 pm. (25%), but could be later if set be
exams office.
* This is a projected schedule only. Timing and contents may change substantially.