Unit Overview
- Description
This unit presents the modern computationally intensive methods in statistics. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of these methods in real data applications. Data sets are analysed using statistical software. The unit's topics cover simulation and Monte Carlo, bootstrap methods, Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, Bayesian inference, and statistical/machine learning. These computer-intensive methods are standard practice for statisticians and researchers in medicine, biology, the social sciences, and business.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2026 UWA (Perth) On-campus - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) apply numerical methods to solve mathematical problems, like derivatives, integration, etc.; (2) apply computationally intensive statistical techniques in simulation studies and to real-world problems; (3) develop computational techniques in general, but statistical computing techniques in particular, and adapt known solutions to different situations; and (4) perform advanced data analysis methods using statistical computing techniques.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignments and (2) a final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Michael Bertolacci
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- STAT3062 Statistical Science
or STAT4064 Applied Predictive Modelling
or STAT3406 Applied Statistics and Data Visualisation - Incompatibility
- STAT4063 Computationally Intensive Methods in Statistics
- Advisable prior study
- STAT2402 Analysis of Observations
or STAT2062 Fundamentals of Probability with Applications
- Contact hours
- 3-hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.