Statistics BSc

The idea of proof is fundamental to all mathematics. We’ll look at mathematical reasoning using techniques from logic to deal with sets, functions, sequences and series.

This module links directly with your study in Calculus and Linear Mathematics. It provides you with the foundations for the broader area of Mathematical Analysis. This includes the rigorous study of the infinite and the infinitesimal.

You will also learn the basics of computer programming. This will give you the chance to use computational algorithms to explore many of the mathematical results you’ll encounter in your core modules.

Your study will include:

• propositional and predicate logic; set theory, countability
• proof: direct, indirect and induction
• sequences and infinite series (convergence and divergence)
• limits and continuity of functions
• programming in Python

How can the flight-path of a spacecraft to another planet be planned? How many fish can we catch without depleting the oceans? How long would it take a lake to recover after its pollution is stopped?

The real world is often too complicated to get exact information. Instead, mathematical models can help by providing estimates. In this module, you’ll learn how to construct and analyse differential equations which model real-life applications.

Your study will include:

• modelling with differential equations
• kinematics and dynamics of moving bodies
• Newton’s laws, balance of forces
• oscillating systems, springs, simple harmonic motion
• work, energy and motion

You'll be able to expand on these techniques later in your degree through topics such as:

• black holes, quantum theory
• fluid and solid mechanics
• mathematical medicine and biology
• mathematical finance

How do we define calculus? How is it used in the modern world?

The concept can be explained as the mathematics of continuous change. It allows us to analyse motion and change in time and space.

You will cover techniques for differentiating, integrating and solving differential equations. You’ll learn about the theorems which prove why calculus works. We will explore the theory and how it can be applied in the real world.

Your study will include:

• functions: limits, continuity and differentiability, rules of differentiation
• techniques for integration, fundamental theorem of calculus
• solution of linear and nonlinear differential equations
• multivariate calculus, Lagrange multipliers, stationary points
• multiple integrals, changes of variables, Jacobians

This module gives you the mathematical tools required for later modules which involve modelling with differential equations. These include:

• mathematical physics
• mathematical medicine and biology
• scientific computation

Vectors, matrices and complex numbers are familiar topics from A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Their common feature is linearity. A linear mathematical operation is one which is compatible with addition and scaling.

As well as these topics you’ll study the concept of a vector space, which is fundamental to later study in abstract algebra. We will also investigate practical aspects, such as methods for solving linear systems of equations.

The module will give you the tools to analyse large systems of equations that arise in mathematical, statistical and computational models. For example, in areas such as:

• fluid and solid mechanics
• mathematical medicine and biology
• mathematical finance

Your study will include:

• complex numbers, vector algebra and geometry
• matrix algebra, inverses, determinants
• vector spaces, subspaces, bases
• linear systems of simultaneous equations, Gaussian elimination
• eigenvalues and eigenvectors, matrix diagonalisation
• linear transformations, inner product spaces

What is the importance of probability in the modern world?

It allows us to assess risk when calculating insurance premiums. It can help when making investment decisions. It can be used to estimate the impact that government policy will have on climate change or the spread of disease.

We will look at the theory and practice of discrete and continuous probability. Your study will include:

• sample spaces, events and counting problems
• conditional probability, independence, Bayes’ theorem
• random variables, expectation, variance
• discrete and continuous probability distributions
• multivariate random variables
• sums of random variables, central limit theorem

These topics will help you prepare for later modules in:

• probability methods
• stochastic models
• uncertainty quantification
• mathematical finance

Statistics is concerned with methods for collecting, organising, summarising, presenting and analysing data. It enables us to draw valid conclusions and make reasonable decisions based on the analysis. It can be used to answer a diverse range of questions such as:

• Do the results of a clinical trial indicate that a new drug works?
• Is the HS2 rail project likely to be cost-effective?
• Should a company lend money to a customer with a given credit history?

In this module you’ll study statistical inference and learn how to analyse, interpret and report data. You’ll learn about the widely used statistical computer language R.

Your study will include:

• exploratory data analysis
• point estimators, confidence intervals
• hypothesis testing
• correlation, statistical inference
• linear regression, chi-squared tests

These first-year topics give you the foundations for later related modules in:

• statistical models and methods
• data analysis and modelling
• statistical machine learning

Pure mathematics at university is typically very different to the pure mathematics you've learnt at school or college. You'll use the language of sets, functions and relations to study some very abstract mathematical ideas.

In this module, we'll develop the skills of reading and writing the language of pure mathematics. You will learn techniques to build mathematical proofs in an abstract setting.

Your study will include:

• the language of set theory
• relations and functions
• rational and irrational numbers
• modular arithmetic
• prime factorisation

These topics will provide you with the basics you need for subsequent modules in algebra, number theory and group theory.

Groups, rings and fields are abstract structures which underpin many areas of mathematics. For example, addition of integers fits the structure of a group. However, by analysing the general concept of a group, our proofs are relevant to many other areas of mathematics.

You will build on your understanding of Foundations of Pure Mathematics. Together we will develop a deeper knowledge of abstract algebraic structures, particularly groups. This provides the foundation for subsequent modules in abstract algebra and number theory.

Your study will include:

• symmetries
• groups, cyclic groups, Lagrange’s theorem
• rings and fields
• integer arithmetic, Euclid’s algorithm
• polynomial arithmetic, factorisation

This module introduces basic techniques in numerical methods and numerical analysis which can be used to generate approximate solutions to problems that may not be amenable to analysis. Specific topics include:

• Implementing algorithms in Matlab
• Discussion of errors (including rounding errors)
• Iterative methods for nonlinear equations (simple iteration, bisection, Newton, convergence)
• Gaussian elimination, matrix factorisation, and pivoting
• Iterative methods for linear systems, matrix norms, convergence, Jacobi, Gauss-Siedel
• Interpolation (Lagrange polynomials, orthogonal polynomials, splines)
• Numerical differentiation & integration (Difference formulae, Richardson extrapolation, simple and composite quadrature rules)
• Introduction to numerical ODEs (Euler and Runge-Kutta methods, consistency, stability) 

This module will give you an introduction to the theory of probability and random variables, with particular attention paid to continuous random variables. Fundamental concepts relating to probability will be discussed in detail, including well-known limit theorems and the multivariate normal distribution. You will then progress onto complex topics such as transition matrices, one-dimensional random walks and absorption probabilities.

The first part of this module provides an introduction to statistical concepts and methods and the second part introduces a wide range of techniques used in a variety of quantitative subjects. The key concepts of inference including estimation and hypothesis testing will be described as well as practical data analysis and assessment of model adequacy.

In this module you will learn about the theory and applications of functions of a complex variable using a method and applications approach. You will develop an understanding of the theory of complex functions and evaluate certain real integrals using your new skills.

This course is an introduction to Fourier series and integral transforms and to methods of solving some standard ordinary and partial differential equations which occur in applied mathematics and mathematical physics.

The course describes the solution of ordinary differential equations using series and introduces Fourier series and Fourier and Laplace transforms, with applications to differential equations and signal analysis. Standard examples of partial differential equations are introduced and solution using separation of variables is discussed.

In this module you will build on the foundation of knowledge gained from your core year one modules in Analytical and Computational Foundations and Calculus. You will learn to follow a rigorous approach needed to produce concrete proof of your workings.

This course aims to provide students with tools which enable them to develop and analyse linear and nonlinear mathematical models based on ordinary and partial differential equations. Furthermore, it aims to introduce students to the fundamental mathematical concepts required to model the flow of liquids and gases and to apply the resulting theory to model physical situations. 

This course aims to give students a sound grounding in the application of both differential and integral calculus to vectors, and to apply vector calculus methods and separation of variables to the solution of partial differential equations. The module is an important pre-requisite for a wide range of other courses in Applied Mathematics.

In this module you will build on your theoretical knowledge of statistical inference by a practical implementation of the generalised linear model. You will move on to enhance your understanding of statistical methodology including the analysis of discrete and survival data. You will also be trained in the use of a high-level statistical computer program.

This course provides an introduction to coding theory in particular to error-correcting codes and their uses and applications. It also provides an introduction to to cryptography, including classical mono- and polyalphabetic ciphers as well as modern public key cryptography and digital signatures, their uses and applications.

This module involves the application of probability and statistics to a variety of practical, open-ended problems, typical of those that statisticians encounter in industry and commerce. Specific projects are tackled through workshops and student-led group activities.

The real-life nature of the problems requires students to develop skills in model development and refinement, report writing and teamwork. Students will have an opportunity to apply a variety of statistical methods and knowledge learned in previous modules.

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In this module the concepts of discrete time Markov chains are explored and used to provide an introduction to probabilistic and stochastic modelling for investment strategies, and for the pricing of financial derivatives in risky markets. You will gain well-rounded knowledge of contemporary issues which are of importance in research and applications.

This module is concerned with the analysis of multivariate data, in which the response is a vector of random variables rather than a single random variable. A theme running through the module is that of dimension reduction. Key topics to be covered include: principal components analysis, whose purpose is to identify the main modes of variation in a multivariate dataset; modelling and inference for multivariate data, including multivariate regression data, based on the multivariate normal distribution; classification of observation vectors into sub-populations using a training sample; canonical correlation analysis, whose purpose is to identify dependencies between two or more sets of random variables. Further topics to be covered include factor analysis, methods of clustering and multidimensional scaling.

In this module a variety of techniques and areas of mathematical optimisation will be covered including Lagrangian methods for optimisation, simplex algorithm linear programming and dynamic programming. You’ll develop techniques for application which can be used outside the mathematical arena. 

You will learn how to use numerical techniques for determining the approximate solution of ordinary and partial differential equations where a solution cannot be found through analytical methods alone. You will also cover topics in numerical linear algebra, discovering how to solve very large systems of equations and find their eigenvalues and eigenvectors using a computer.

This course is concerned with the two main theories of statistical inference, namely classical (frequentist) inference and Bayesian inference. 

Topics such as sufficiency, estimating equations, likelihood ratio tests and best-unbiased estimators are explored in detail. There is special emphasis on the exponential family of distributions, which includes many standard distributions such as the normal, Poisson, binomial and gamma.

In Bayesian inference, there are three basic ingredients: a prior distribution, a likelihood and a posterior distribution, which are linked by Bayes' theorem. Inference is based on the posterior distribution, and topics including conjugacy, vague prior knowledge, marginal and predictive inference, decision theory, normal inverse gamma inference, and categorical data are pursued.

Common concepts, such as likelihood and sufficiency, are used to link and contrast the two approaches to inference. You will gain experience of the theory and concepts underlying much contemporary research in statistical inference and methodology.

In this module you will develop your knowledge of discrete-time Markov chains by applying them to a range of stochastic models. You will be introduced to Poisson and birth-and-death processes and then you will move onto more extensive studies of epidemic models and queuing models with introductions to component and system reliability.

This module will provide a general introduction to the analysis of data that arise sequentially in time. Several commonly-occurring models will be discussed and their properties derived, along with methods for model identification for real-time series data. You will develop techniques for estimating the parameters of a model, assessing its fit and forecasting future values. You will also gain experience of using a statistical package and interpreting its output.