ST1131 Introduction to Statistics

Module Description
This module introduces students to the basic concepts and the methods of statistics. A computer package is used to enhance learning and to enable students to analyse real life data. Topics include descriptive statistics, basic concepts of probability, sampling distribution, statistical estimation, hypothesis testing, linear regression. This module is targeted at students interested in Statistics who are able to meet the prerequisite. It is also an essential module for students in the following programmes: Industrial and Systems Engineering (FoE); E-Commerce (SoC); Project & Facilities Management and Real Estate (SDE)

This is a very basic and introductory course for statistics.

Topics
- Introduction to Statistics
- Descriptive Analysis and Presentation of Single-Variable Data
- Descriptive Analysis and Presentation of Bivariate Data
- Probability
- Probability Distribution (Discrete Variables)
- Normal Probability Distributions
- Sample Variability
- Introduction to Statistical Inferences
- Inferences involving One Population
- Inferences concerning the Difference between Proportions using Two Independent Samples
- Linear Correlation and Regression Analysis

Workload
Two two-hours lecture
This module was covered entirely by Ms Wong Yean Ling. She is a nice young lecturer who is pretty clear in her delivery of information. Judging from her accent, she might be from Hong Kong but i'm not too sure. However, she is not too hard to understand.

Interesting to note: She brought her toddler to one of the lectures (I assume she has no one who is free to take care of him). Personally, I had no problem with that. He made some of us laugh by running around and moving the projector screen.

Personally I feel that is no need to buy textbooks because the textbook is expensive and provides too much information for an introductory module. Nevertheless, some of my friends bought it.

Lectures are not webcasted. Concepts are not too hard. Therefore it is still possible to catch up even if you decide to slack off and skip a few lectures (not advisable :P).

Weekly one-hour tutorial
The tutorials are easy, consisting of very simple calculations. The tutorial questions were taken from the textbook. However, the lecturer will upload the questions in IVLE so you don't have to rush to buy the textbook.

Assessment (AY11/12 Sem 1)
35% MCQ mid terms
60% Open ended finals
5% Tutorial Participation (Free 5%, just go and mark attendance)
Traditionally no negative marking.
Midterm paper was not too hard.
Finals was alright as well. However, since it is open ended, it is very important to be clear of the concepts and read the questions carefully. You will be given a thick booklet of results for Z-test, T-test, etc.

Personal
The result was pretty disappointing for me since this was a really easy module. The competition was very stiff. On one hand, you have the ISE students who are usually good at everything. On the other hand, you have the SDE students who may not be that statistically inclined.

Please take this module in Semester 2. I cannot emphasise how important it is to take this module in semester 2. By taking this module in semester 2, you will effectively avoid taking this module with many of the statistics and ISE students. I have statistics friends who took it in Semester 2 and they got A and A- for it. They even admitted to me that they were not very clear of all the concepts. Different bell curve, different grade!

Extra notes to readers: I have past year papers, cheat sheets and lecture notes. If anyone is interested, download from my Dropbox.
If you want to know more about the modules I have taken, you may refer to this list.