UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

SYLLABUS OUTLINE

FACULTY: SCIENCE AND SPORT

SCHOOL/DEPT.: MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

COURSE OF STUDY: ALL BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMMES

YEAR: TWO

MODULE TITLE: INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS

MODULE CODE: STA2020

DURATION: 39 HOURS

CREDIT VALUE: 3

PREREQUISITES: C-SEC MATHEMATICS (GENERAL PROFICIENCY)

GRADES I, II & III OR
GCE MATHEMATICS (ORDINARY LEVEL A, B & C) OR
AN EQUIVALENT

EXEMPTIONS: A PASS IN GCE “A” LEVEL STATISTICS OR CAPE

1.0 MODULE DESCRIPTION

The module addresses the application of statistical techniques to solve computing and
business problems and make recommendations for the optimal use of scarce resources. Use
will be made of statistical packages where appropriate. The topics include probability
distributions, sampling theory, estimation, hypothesis testing and correlation and regression.
Tutorial questions will focus on computing and business applications.

2.0 MODULE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the module the student should be able to:

i) Perform statistical computations manually and with the aid of a computer,

where appropriate.
ii) Apply basic statistical techniques to solve problems in the private and public
sectors.
iii) Use statistical analyses to make recommendations for optimizing the use of
scarce resources

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3.0 MODULE CONTENT AND CONTEXT

UNIT 1:
INTRODUCTION: MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY & DISPERSION [2+4 hours]

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

After successful completion, the student should be able to

1.1 Define the terms ‘statistics’ and ‘statistic’

1.2 Differentiate between descriptive and inferential statistics
1.3 Define, calculate and interpret the arithmetic mean (weighted and unweighted), median
and mode for grouped and ungrouped data
1.4 Compute and assess the advantages and disadvantages of the mean, median and mode
1.5 Define, compute and interpret the range, variance and standard deviation
1.6 Define, compute and interpret the coefficient of variation
1.7 Calculate, interpret and illustrate the skewness

UNIT 2 :
PROBABILITY & PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS [4+ 8 hours]

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

After successful completion, the student should be able to

2.1 Define the concept of probability

2.2 Apply the basic rules of probability: addition, mutually exclusive events, independent
events, conditional probability, and general multiplication rule
2.3 Apply tree diagrams in probability analysis
2.4 Distinguish between discrete and continuous random variables
2.5 Construct probability distributions
2.6 Differentiate between continuous and discrete probability distributions
2.7 Calculate the expectation, variance and standard deviation of probability distributions
2.8 Explain the characteristics, uses and importance of the binomial, Poisson and normal
probability distributions.
2.9 Apply the binomial and Poisson formulas and tables to solve business problems
2.10 Investigate the characteristics of the normal probability distribution
2.11 Apply the standard normal probability distribution
2.12 Compute and interpret areas under the normal curve
2.13 Solve problems using the normal distribution

UNIT 3:
SAMPLING THEORY & ESTIMATION [2 + 4 hours]

After successful completion, the student should be able to:

3.1 Identify the major sampling methods and main data collection methods
3.2 Define sampling error
3.3 Construct sampling distribution of means and proportions
3.4 Apply the central limit theorem
3.5 Compute point estimates and the standard errors of the mean and proportion
3.6 Construct and interpret confidence intervals for means and proportions

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3.7 Define and apply the finite population correction factor
3.8 Compute sample sizes for means and proportions

UNIT 4:
HYPOTHESIS TESTING [3 + 8 hours]

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

After successful completion, the student should be able to:

4.1 Define the concepts: statistical hypothesis, Type I error, Type II error, level of
significance, null and alternative hypotheses
4.2 Conduct one-tailed and two-tailed tests
4.3 Test hypotheses involving a population mean, a population proportion, two population
means and two population proportions
4.4 Define the characteristics of the Student’s ‘t’ distribution
4.5 Test one and two population means
4.6 Define the characteristics of chi-square distribution
4.7 Conduct contingency table analysis

UNIT 5:
REGRESSION AND CORRELATION [2 + 4 hours]

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

After successful completion, the student should be able to

5.1 Construct and interpret scatter diagrams

5.2 Define positive, negative and zero linear correlation
5.3 Compute and interpret the product moment correlation coefficient, coefficient of
determination, coefficient of non-determination and the rank correlation coefficient
5.4 Apply correlation analysis to real life situations
5.5 Define linear regression
5.6 Compute and interpret the regression equation
5.7 Apply regression analysis to real life situations

4.0 LEARNING AND TEACHING APPROACHES

This course comprises of lectures and tutorials.

Students will be given worksheets, which they are expected to attempt on their own. In
tutorials, worksheets will be discussed and solved. The students are expected to play an
active role in the learning process.

5.0 ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

Course Work:
Test 1: 25%
Test 2: 25%

Final Examination 50% of the marks for the final examination. (2 hours)

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6.0 BREAKDOWN OF HOURS

Didactic Instruction..…… 13 hours (13 weeks @ 1 didactic hr/week)

Tutorials………………… 26 hours
Examination / Assessment 2 hours final exam

7.0 TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

Required Text:

Mason, R. and Lind, D. Statistical Techniques in Business and Economics (Boston: Irwin, 2000)

Recommended Text:

Owen, F. and Jones, R. Statistics (London: Longman Group, 2000)

8.0 NAMES OF SYLLABUS WRITERS/DEVELOPERS

Fabian Vassel, Robin Thomas & Afis Ismail – Statistics & Research Methodology Division

9.0 DATE OF PRESENTATION OR REVISION

August 10, 2009

10.0 DATE OF ACCEPTANCE

…………………………………………..

Programme Director