Program Overview

Data and Error Analysis in Natural Sciences

Course Overview

The Data and Error Analysis in Natural Sciences course is an open university program offered by the University of Eastern Finland. This course focuses on uncertainties in measurements, propagation of errors, basic statistical definitions, probability distributions, confidence intervals, and statistical significance, as well as least-squares fitting.

Course Details

• Credits: 2 ECTS credits
• Location: Online
• Category: Environmental and natural sciences
• Teaching Format: Online teaching, Distance teaching
• Price: 40 (VAT 0%)

Course Content

After completing the course, students will understand the basic concepts of error analysis and can apply them in scientific work and reporting using Matlab. The course includes:

• Scheduled online lectures (20 hours) and online exercises (7 hours) in Teams
• An offline exam (2 hours) in Joensuu
• The use of Matlab throughout the course to simulate and demonstrate basic concepts and methods
• A student license to use Matlab for the duration of the course

Study Materials

• Lecture notes
• The course covers the equivalent of J. R. Taylor, An Introduction to Error Analysis, 2nd edition, chapters 1-6, 8-9, and 11
• P. R. Bevington and D. K. Robinson, Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences, 3rd edition, chapters 1-4 and 6-7
• R. J. Barlow, Statistics: A Guide to the Use of Statistical Methods in the Physical Sciences, chapters 1-8

Target Group

The course is designed for students of natural and other sciences with a need for error analysis tools and a better understanding of their data.

Additional Information

• Open university courses cost 20 / ECTS credit
• Fees for purchasing/lending literature are not covered by the University
• The course is taught in English

Registration and Admission

To register for the course, students must click the registration button on the course page and follow the instructions. The registration is binding, and more information on study fees and payment and cancellation terms can be found on the University's website.

Teaching Time and Language

• The course is taught during the day
• The teaching language is English

Follow-up Course

After completing this course, students can continue to Data Analysis Practice (2 ECTS credits), which expands on the subjects covered here and is studied online on their own schedule from October to March.