Course Descriptions - Undergraduate Calendar 2023-2024

Elementary probability, populations, samples, and distributions with biological examples. Methods for data summary and presentation. Estimation, hypothesis testing, two-sample techniques and paired comparisons, regression, correlation. [Offered: F,W]

Empirical problem solving with applications to software engineering. An introduction to probability theory. An introduction to distribution theory and to methods of statistical inference, including confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. An introduction to regression. [Offered: F]

Descriptive statistics, probability, discrete and continuous random variables. Sampling distributions and simple hypothesis testing. Introduction to survey sampling. [Offered: W]

The laws of probability, discrete and continuous random variables, expectation, central limit theorem. [Offered: F,W]

Empirical problem solving, measurement systems, causal relationships, statistical models, estimation, confidence intervals, tests of significance. [Offered: F, W]

This course provides an introduction to probability models including sample spaces, mutually exclusive and independent events, conditional probability and Bayes' Theorem. The named distributions (Discrete Uniform, Hypergeometric, Binomial, Negative Binomial, Geometric, Poisson, Continuous Uniform, Exponential, Normal (Gaussian), and Multinomial) are used to model real phenomena. Discrete and continuous univariate random variables and their distributions are discussed. Joint probability functions, marginal probability functions, and conditional probability functions of two or more discrete random variables and functions of random variables are also discussed. Students learn how to calculate and interpret means, variances and covariances particularly for the named distributions. The Central Limit Theorem is used to approximate probabilities.

This course provides a systematic approach to empirical problem solving which will enable students to critically assess the sampling protocol and conclusions of an empirical study including the possible sources of error in the study and whether evidence of a causal relationship can be reasonably concluded. The connection between the attributes of a population and the parameters in the named distributions covered in STAT 230 will be emphasized. Numerical and graphical techniques for summarizing data and checking the fit of a statistical model will be discussed. The method of maximum likelihood will be used to obtain point and interval estimates for the parameters of interest as well as testing hypotheses. The interpretation of confidence intervals and p-values will be emphasized. The Chi-squared and t distributions will be introduced and used to construct confidence intervals and tests of hypotheses including likelihood ratio tests. Contingency tables and Gaussian response models including the two sample Gaussian and simple linear regression will be used as examples.

STAT 240 is an advanced-level enriched version of STAT 230. [Offered: F]

STAT 241 is an advanced-level enriched version of STAT 231.

This is an applications oriented course which prepares the nonmathematical student to use statistical software as a research tool. Topics include aids for statistical analysis and the preparation of documents such as reports and theses. The course provides sufficient background for application to other problems specific to the individual's field. [Offered: W]

Modeling the relationship between a response variable and several explanatory variables via regression models. Model diagnostics and improvement. Using regression models for forecasting, Exponential smoothing. Simple time series modeling. [Offered: W]

Planning sample surveys; simple random sampling; stratified sampling. Observational and experimental studies. Blocking, randomization, factorial designs. Analysis of variance. Applications of design principles. [Offered: F]

This course provides a mathematically rigorous treatment for topics covered in STAT 230 and 231, and to make essential extensions to the multivariate case. Maximum likelihood estimation. Random variables and distribution theory. Generating functions. Functions of random variables. Limiting distributions. Large sample theory of likelihood methods. Likelihood ratio tests. Joint probability (density) functions, marginal probability (density) functions, and conditional probability (density) functions of two or more random variables are discussed. Topics covered include independence of random variables, conditional expectation and the determination of the distribution of functions of random variables using the cumulative distribution method, change of variable and moment generating functions. Properties of the Multinomial and Bivariate Normal distributions are proved. Limiting distributions, including convergence in probability and convergence in distribution, are discussed. Important results, including the Weak Law of Large Numbers, Central Limit Theorem, Slutsky's theorem, and the Delta Method, are introduced with applications. The maximum likelihood method is discussed for the multi-parameter case. Asymptotic properties of the maximum likelihood estimator are examined and used to construct confidence intervals or regions. Tests for simple and composite hypotheses are constructed using the Likelihood Ratio Test. [Offered: F,W,S]

Modeling the relationship between a response variable and several explanatory variables (an output-input system) via regression models. Least squares algorithm for estimation of parameters. Hypothesis testing and prediction. Model diagnostics and improvement. Algorithms for variable selection. Nonlinear regression and other methods. [Offered: F,W,S]

Designing sample surveys. Probability sampling designs. Estimation with elementary designs. Observational and experimental studies. Blocking, randomization, factorial designs. Analysis of variance. Designing for comparison of groups. [Offered: F,W,S]

This course provides an introduction to stochastic processes, with an emphasis on regenerative phenomena. Topics cover generating functions, conditional probability distributions and conditional expectation, discrete-time Markov chains with a countable state space, limit distributions for ergodic and absorbing chains, applications including the random walk, the gambler's ruin problem, and the Galton-Watson branching process, an introduction to counting processes, connections between the exponential distribution and Poisson process, and non-homogeneous and compound Poisson processes. [Offered: F,W,S]

Random variables and distribution theory, conditional expectations, moment and probability generating functions, change of variables, random walks, Markov chains, Markov processes. [Offered F,S]

This course will provide an introduction to statistical methods in health research. Topics to be covered include types of medical data, measures of disease prevalence and incidence, age and sex adjustment of disease rates, sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests, ROC curves, measures of association between risk factors and disease, major sources of medical data in the Canadian context including surveys, registries, and clinical studies such as cohort studies, clinical trials and case-control studies. Papers from the medical literature will be used throughout to illustrate the concepts. Introduction to SAS for data analysis and an introduction to database management tools. [Offered: F]

Random variate generation in the univariate and multivariate case, Monte Carlo integration, advanced computer implementation, variance reduction, statistical analysis of simulated data, extensions to challenging simulation problems. Mathematical treatment of the underlying stochastic concepts and proofs. [Offered: W,S]

A computationally focused approach to statistical reasoning in the context of real data. Functional programming in R and algorithms will be used to define interesting attributes of finite populations and their sampling characteristics. Computational approaches to inductive inference and the assessment of predictive accuracy. [Offered: F,W]

Practical and theoretical aspects of simple and multiple linear regression models. Model building, fitting, and assessment. Process thinking and improvement. Strategies for variation reduction such as control charting. Process monitoring, control, and adjustment. Applications to problems in business. [Offered: F,W,S]

Design and analysis of surveys. Management of sample and non-sample error. Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling. Additional topics in survey sampling. Observational and experimental studies. Principles for the design of experiments. Analysis of variance, factorial experiments, and interaction. Application to problems in business. [Offered: F,W,S]

Application of regression and time series models in finance; multiple regression; algebraic and geometric representation of least squares; inference methods - confidence intervals and hypothesis tests, ANOVA, prediction; model building and assessment; time series modeling; autoregressive AR(1) models - fitting, assessment and prediction; moving average smoothing, seasonal adjustment; non-stationarity and differencing. [Offered: F]

This course introduces analytical and statistical methods commonly used in finance, with applications to investment management and corporate finance.

Review of experimental designs in a regression setting; analysis of variance; replication, balance, blocking, randomization, and interaction; one-way layout, two-way layout, and Latin square as special cases; factorial structure of treatments; covariates; treatment contrasts; two-level fractional factorial designs; fixed versus random effects; split-plot and repeated-measures designs; other topics. [Offered: F,S]

Review of the normal linear model and maximum likelihood estimation; regression models for binomial, Poisson and multinomial data; generalized linear models; and other topics in regression modelling. [Offered: F,W,S]

This course provides further ideas and methods in stochastic modelling, with an emphasis on continuous-time stochastic processes. Topics cover time to absorption based quantities and discrete phase-type distributions of discrete-time Markov chains, continuous-time Markov chains with a countable state space, limit distributions for ergodic and absorbing chains, and applications including birth and death processes and queueing models of practical interest. Other topics may include continuous phase-type distributions, renewal theory and limit theorems for regenerative processes, and phase-type renewal processes. [Offered: F]

Statistical methods for improving processes based on observational data. Assessment of measurement systems. Strategies for variation reduction. Process monitoring, control, and adjustment. Clue generation techniques for determining the sources of variability. Variation transmission. [Offered: W]

The objective of this course is to develop understanding and working knowledge of spatial models and analysis of spatial data. The course provides an introduction to the rudiments of statistical inference based on spatially correlated data. Methods of estimation and testing will be developed for geostatistical models based on variograms and spatial autogressive models. Concepts and application of methods will be emphasized through case studies and projects with health applications. [Offered: W]

Statistical methods for the analysis of longitudinal data; hierarchical models, marginal models, and transitional models. Parametric and semiparametric methods for the analysis of survival data under censoring and truncation. [Offered: W]

Causal inference methodologies including propensity score matching and inverse probability weighting. Methods for handling incomplete data and covariate measurement error; likelihood based on joint models, estimating functions.

Introduction to and application of computational methods in statistical inference. Monte Carlo evaluation of statistical procedures, exploration of the likelihood function through graphical and optimization techniques. Topics include expectation-maximization, Bootstrapping, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and other computationally intensive methods. [Offered: W,S]

Classification is the problem of predicting a discrete outcome from a set of explanatory variables. Main topics include logistic regression, neural networks, tree-based methods, support vector machines, and nearest neighbour methods. Other topics include model assessment, training, and tuning. [Offered: F,W]

Visualization methods applied to data. Both human perception and statistical properties inform the methods used to display and visually explore categorical, continuous, time-ordered, map, and high dimensional data. Order and layout effects on tables and graphics. Statistical concepts visually presented include variability, densities, quantiles, conditioning, and hypothesis testing. Interactive graphics include linking, brushing, motion, and the navigation of high dimensional spaces guided via projection indices. Glyphs (e.g., cartoon, statistical, or heatmap) and radial and parallel coordinates. [Offered: F,W]

Modelling techniques for forecasting time series data: smoothing methods, regression including penalty/regularization methods, the Box-Jenkins framework, stationary and non-stationary processes, both with and without seasonal effects. Other topics may include: ARCH/GARCH models, Bayesian methods, dynamic linear models, Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation, spectral density analysis, and periodograms. [Offered: F,W,S]

This course introduces modern applied regression methods for continuous response modelling, emphasizing both explainability and predictive power. Topics cover a wide selection of advanced methods useful to address the challenges arising from real-world and high-dimensional data; methods include robust regression, nonparametric regression such as smoothing splines, kernels, additive models, tree-based methods, boosting and bagging, and penalized linear regression methods such as the ridge regression, lasso, and their variants. Students will gain an appreciation of the mathematical and statistical concepts underlying the methods and also computational experience in applying the methods to real data. [Offered: W,S]

Discussion of inference problems under the headings of hypothesis testing and point and interval estimation. Frequentist and Bayesian approaches to inference. Construction and evaluation of tests and estimators. Large sample theory of point estimation. [Offered: W]

Sources of survey error. Probability sampling designs, estimation, and efficiency comparisons. Distribution theory and confidence intervals. Generalized regression estimation. Software for survey analysis. [Offered: W]

Special Topics course as announced by the Department.

Special topics course as announced by the Department.

Special topics course as announced by the Department.

Reading course as announced by the Department.

Reading course as announced by the Department.