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Overview

This unit of study, ENVX1002: Introduction to Statistical Methods, is an introductory data science unit for students in the agricultural, life, and environmental sciences. It provides the foundation for statistics and data science skills that are needed for a career in science and for further study in applied statistics and data science. The unit focuses on developing critical and statistical thinking skills for all students. It has 4 modules: exploring data, modelling data, sampling data, and making decisions with data. Students will use problems and data from the physical, health, life, and social sciences to develop adaptive problem-solving skills in a team setting. Taught interactively with embedded technology, ENVX1002 develops critical thinking and skills to problem-solve with data.

Unit Details and Rules

• Academic unit: Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
• Credit points: 6
• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Prohibitions: ENVX1001 or MATH1005 or MATH1905 or MATH1015 or MATH1115 or DATA1001 or DATA1901 or BUSS1020 or STAT1021 or ECMT1010
• Assumed knowledge: None
• Available to study abroad and exchange students: Yes

Teaching Staff

• Coordinator: Floris Van Ogtrop
• Lecturer(s): Floris Van Ogtrop, Aaron Greenville, Januar Harianto

Assessment

• Type: Supervised exam, Assignment, Supervised test, Presentation
• Description:
  • Supervised exam: Final exam, Multiple choice & short answer questions, 45%, Formal exam period, 2 hours
  • Assignment: Describing Data, Report submitted via Turn-it-in, 10%, Week 05, Due date: 24 Mar 2023 at 23:59
  • Supervised test: Mid-semester exam, CANVAS timed, open book exam, 20%, Week 08, 1 hour
  • Assignment: Comparing two sample populations, Report submitted via Turn-it-in, 10%, Week 10, Due date: 05 May 2023 at 23:59
  • Presentation: Modelling relationships in data, Class presentation + peer review, 15%, Week 13, 5 minutes
• Outcomes assessed:
  • LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6, LO7

Assessment Summary

Using skills and concepts learnt in Lectures, Tutorials, and Practical sessions, there are three main assignments associated with each of the three modules, a mid-semester test, and a final exam. All assessments are to be completed individually, with the exception of Assessment 3, which is a group assignment.

Learning Support

• Simple extensions: If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.
• Special consideration: If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Weekly Schedule

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

• LO1: Describe the role of statistics, experimentation, and hypothesis testing in relation to scientific research.
• LO2: Understand the concept of probability and calculate probabilities by applying probability laws and theoretical results.
• LO3: Perform data exploration using R.
• LO4: Understand the concept of experimental inference and select the correct statistical test (among 1-sample, 2-sample, chi-square, and non-parametric tests) appropriate for a particular experiment.
• LO5: Demonstrate proficiency in the use of R and Excel to describe and analyze data from simple experiments.
• LO6: Model relationships between variables using linear and non-linear functions using R and Excel.
• LO7: Write and present statistical and modeling results as part of a scientific report and oral presentation as an individual and as a team.

Graduate Qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities has been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

• GQ1: Depth of disciplinary expertise
• GQ2: Critical thinking and problem-solving
• GQ3: Oral and written communication
• GQ4: Information and digital literacy
• GQ5: Inventiveness
• GQ6: Cultural competence
• GQ7: Interdisciplinary effectiveness
• GQ8: Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity
• GQ9: Influence

Responding to Student Feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews. We appreciate the very positive feedback we have received for this unit. We will continue to make improvements based on suggestions by students, such as improving feedback for assessments. We have updated the look of the Canvas site to help guide students to relevant sections, and the course is designed so that students work through the modules in consecutive order. We have adjusted the assessment weights such that the exam is now worth 45% and not 55%, as well as balancing up the assessment weightings. Furthermore, we will decrease the length of the guided tutorials, and there are no longer practicals directly after the lecture, which will hopefully allow for more time to complete the tutorial prior to the practical. We continue to work towards making classes more engaging.

Additional Information

• The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrollment numbers.
• This unit of study outline was last modified on 07 Mar 2023.
• To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.