AMS 315, Data Analysis
Catalog Description: A continuation of AMS 310 that covers two sample t-tests, contingency table methods, the one-way analysis of variance, and regression analysis with one and multiple independent variables. Student projects analyze data provided by the instructor and require the use of a statistical computing package such as SAS or SPSS. An introduction to ethical and professional standards of conduct for statisticians will be provided.
Prerequisite: AMS 310
SBC: CER, ESI
3 credits
Textbook (recommended):
"An Introduction to Statistical Methods and Data Analysis", by Ott and Longnecker,
7th Edition, Cengage Learning; 2015; ISBN# 9781305269477. (Please note earlier editions of this textbook will also be acceptable.)
Actuarial Exam: A student receiving a B- or better in this course and in AMS 316 satisfies the Actuarial Exam test in Applied Statistics, through the Society of Actuaries Validation by Educational Experience program. For more details about actuarial preparation
at Stony Brook see Actuarial Program
AMS 315 IS ALSO OFFERED DURING SUMMER SCHOOL. CHECK THE SUMMER SCHOOL BULLETIN FOR
TIMES.
Topics
1. Overview of basic statistics-- hypothesis testing, regression, chi-square test,
confidence intervals (This material was previously covered in AMS 310, Survey of Probability
and Statistics) – 4 class hours.
2. Probability and Probability Distributions (Ott&L §4.7-4.12) – 5 class hours.
3. Inferences about Populataion Central Value (Ott&L §7.1-7.3) – 3 class hours
4. Inferences Comparing 2 Populations’ Central Values (Ott&L §6.1,2,4,6,7) – 5
class hours.
5. Categorical Data (Ott&L §10.1-10.6) – 6 class hours.
6. Linear Regression and Correlation (Ott&L §11.1-11.8) – 9 class hours.
7. Multiple Regression and Correlation (Ott&L §12.1-12.9) – 6 class hours.
8. Examinations and Review – 4 class hours.
Learning Outcomes for AMS 315, Data Analysis
1.) Review topics from the prerequisite course (AMS 310 or any one semester college
level introduction to statistics).
*Basic probability distributions; i.e., binomial, Poisson, normal, and exponential
distributions;
*Probability calculations; e.g., probability of an event for a random variable
following one of the basic distributions, use of Bayes’ Theorem, finding expected
value and variance of a random variable;
*Vocabulary of statistical procedures; e.g., confidence intervals, tests of
hypotheses, Type I and Type II error rates;
*One sample Student t procedures.
2.) Demonstrate skill using the following methods of probability theory:
*Central chi-square and central F-distributions;
*Bonferroni’s inequality applied to multiple tests of hypotheses;
*Logic of multiple comparison procedures;
*Decomposing chi-square sums of squares;
*Expected value and variance of multiple linear combinations of random variables.
3.) Develop proficiency using intermediate level statistical procedures.
*Two sample tests and confidence intervals;
*Tests and confidence intervals for the variance of a normally distributed random
variable;
*Tests comparing the variances of two independent normal random variables;
*Tests and confidence intervals for the one way analysis of variance;
*Statistical procedures for multiple comparisons;
*Categorical variable tests using the chi-squared distribution;
*One predictor linear regression;
*Multiple predictor linear regression.
4.) Review scientific studies that use the techniques of the course.
*Read papers posted on class blackboard.
*Reference to papers as techniques studied in lecture.
5.) Learn the statistical computing package of the student’s choice and apply it to
obtain the statistical model that generated a set of synthetic data.
* One predictor linear regression group project using synthetic data that requires
students to merge separate files.
* Multiple predictor linear regression group project using synthetic data to
recreate statistical model that generated the data. Model includes non-linear predictors
and interactions of two predictors.