STATISTICS 6307

Introduction to Statistical Computing

Jan Term 2018
Course Description:

STAT 6307, Introduction to Statistical Computing, covers the basics of SAS programming, which is a key
statistical software package for many data analysis techniques. This course will adequately prepare students
for future courses in statistics and other quantitative disciplines. In this course students learn about the SAS
basic syntax that is necessary to write SAS code to perform basic statistical inference. Students in this class
benefit from the professors’ experience in applying SAS programming to industry problems. Prerequisites for
this course include the equivalent of elementary undergraduate statistics, such as STAT 1301, STAT 2301,
or STAT 2331.

Professor Background:

Dr. Stephen Robertson is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Statistical Science at SMU. He has been at
SMU for five years, and is the director of the MASDA (Masters in Applied Statistics and Data Analytics)
program. He has extensive work experience in the financial sector, particularly in the area of risk
management and predictive modeling for Citigroup, Fannie Mae, and Towers Watson Consulting. Dr.
Robertson integrates his previous work experience in the financial industry into class lectures and
assignments to give students a “real-world” perspective. In addition, he draws upon his experience teaching
and tutoring numerous SMU students to create a positive, fun, and interactive learning environment in which
to learn statistics.

Benefits of taking STAT 6307 in Jan Term:

 Stay productive over winter break with this challenging Jan Term course
 Complete a core statistics programming course in 8 efficient class days
 Prepare for future quantitative courses by learning a programming language
 Focus on a statistics course without juggling a typical heavy course load
 Avoid the crowds — Small class size and professor accessibility often improves performance

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 STAT 6307
Introduction to Statistical Computing
Instructor: Steve Robertson
Office: Heroy Hall, Room 106; Phone: (214) 768-4830
e-mail: sdrobert@mail.smu.edu

January 8-12, 16-18, 2017, SMU Main Campus (Classroom TBD or check my.SMU)
9:00 am to 12 noon and 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Course Description:

This course is intended for students interested in statistical computing. SAS (Statistical Analysis
System), a widely used statistical language for research and industry, will be used throughout the
course. The goal of this course is to enable students to do essential computations and statistical analysis
using SAS statistical software.

Prerequisites: STAT 1301, STAT 2301, STAT 2331 or equivalent.

Students must bring a laptop to class since computers are not

provided in class.

Course Objectives:

The goal of this course is to enable students to do essential computations and statistical analysis
using commonly used statistical software.

Student Learning Outcomes:

After this course, the student should be able to . . .

 use SAS software, the most extensively used data analysis software tool worldwide

 access information from a variety of data sources

 combine, transform, and manipulate data sets

 summarize, and interpret information from small to very large data sets

 create informative graphs

 analyze data using standard statistical technique

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Tentative Class Schedule

Class Date Topics

1 Mon  Chapter 1-3
Jan 8  Course introduction
 Introduction to using the SAS software program
 Data Step Processing
 SAS Libraries
 Permanent Data Sets
2 Tue  Chapters 3-4
Jan 9  Techniques for reading data
 Labels, Variables, Functions
 SELECT Statement
 OBS Statement
 Appending and Merging Data Sets
 Preparing Data for Analysis
 Creating and Using a Data Dictionary
3 Wed  Appendix B- Using Programming Functions
Jan 10  Chapter 5, 6, 7
 Preparing to use SAS Procedures (Ch 5)
 Into to the Output Delivery System
 Evaluating Quantitative Data (Descriptive Statistics)
 Analyzing Counts and Tables (Frequencies, Chi-Square, etc)
4 Thurs  Chapters 14, 15, 16
Jan 11  Creating Custom Graphs
 Mid-Term Exam

5 Fri  Chapter 16
Jan 12  Advanced SAS Programming
 Chapters 8, 9, 13 (t-tests, ANOVA)
6 Tues  Chapter 10 – Correlation and Regression
Jan 16  Chapter 11 – Nonparametric Procedures
 Chapter 12 – Logistic Analysis
 Tabulation and Reports
7 Wed  Sample Size Estimation
Jan 17  Dealing with Messy Data
 Class Presentations
8 Thurs  REVIEW
Jan 18  Choosing the correct Statistical Procedure, Appendix C
 Quick Reference, Appendix D
 BASIC SAS Certification
 Final Exam

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Method of evaluation:

Labs are incorporated into the class time with exercises designed to evaluate the student’s learning for
each concept. The final class will contain a hands-on computer exam consisting of a data analysis
problem.

Grading criteria:
50% in-class Daily Exercises
50% in-class mid-term & final data analysis exams

The Course is based on this text

Elliott, A. C. and Woodward, W. A. (2010). SAS Essentials: A Guide to Mastering SAS for Research,
San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

However, I will provide an updated printed version of the text that we will use as a reference in class,
so getting the book is optional.

Other References

Bailer, A. J. (2010). Statistical Programming in SAS Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.

Delwiche, L. and Slaughter, S. (2008). The Little SAS Book: A Primer, Fourth Edition. Cary, NC:
SAS Institute Inc.

SAS Institute Inc. (2011). SAS Inc. 9.3 Language Reference: Concepts. Cary, NC: SAS Institute

SAS Institute Inc. (2011). Base SAS 9.3 Procedures Guide. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.