Statistics, 7.5 credits

Validation

This course syllabus was validated by the Management Board of the School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies at Södertörn University on 2018-04-23 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance.

Entry requirements

The equivalent of English B and a Bachelor's degree including 90 credits in Environmental Science, Bioscience, Sociology, International Health, Media Communcation Studies or the equivalent.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student is able to:

• discern and discuss basic statistical concepts: independent observations, ordinary least squares, maximum likelihood, generalised linear models, analysis of variance/deviance and error distributions
• explain the importance of independent observations in sampling data for statistical analysis
• describe the ideas of significance testing by comparing variance explained to random variance
• independently report standard descriptive measurements and construct and interpret generalised linear models with normal and binomial error distributions
• explain the limitations of statistical results; are they globally valid or only valid for the specific experimental set-ups, to which population do they refer, how could confounding (not measured) variables explain the results.

Course content, modules and examinations

Statistics used in Environmental Science is based on general statistics. The course encompasses the most common statistical methods and deals with both parametric and non-parametric statistical models. Participants study models for continuous response variables using normal distribution of residuals, as well as models for categorical responses with binomial (or Bernoulli) distribution of error terms.

Course design

Lectures, seminars and computer-aided statistical training

Examination format

The examination comprises planning, performing and reporting computer-based statistical analyses from previously unknown data sets. Absence from seminars must be complemented by alternative assignments. Absence from more than 50% of the seminars requires that the student takes the course again. Complementary tasks must be handed in within one year of course completion.

The grading criteria are distributed prior to the start of a course or module.

If a student has a certificate from Södertörn University for compensatory support, the examiner has the right to decide on an adapted examination or alternative form of examination in accordance with Södertörn University's regulations.

Restrictions on accreditation

The course may not be accredited as part of a degree if the contents are partly or wholly the same as a course previously taken in Sweden or elsewhere.

Other stipulations

Following the Vice-Chancellors decision on internationalization and grade scale at Södertörn University College (dnr: 1148-1.1.2-2018), this syllabus replaces the syllabus with course code 1016MA, with the difference that the grade system has been updated. The syllabus is determined through special order (dnr: 1776-2.1.1-2018).