Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE SOR3243

 
TITLE Bayesian Statistics

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Statistics and Operations Research

 
DESCRIPTION Topics covered in this study-unit:

1. Mathematical Foundations of Bayesian Statistics
2. Prior Distributions: Types and properties of priors with reference to elicitation.
3. Bayesian Decision theory
4. Bayesian Point Estimation
5. Hypothesis Testing through the posterior distribution
6. Bayesian Modelling : the theoretical , practical and computational platforms
7. Hierarchical Bayesian Models.

Study-unit Aims:

The aim of this unit is to provide a good grasp of the logic behind Bayesian statistical inference, i.e. the use of probability models to quantify uncertainty in statistical conclusions, and acquire skills to perform practical Bayesian analysis.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- appreciate the major results in these fields as well as their use in practical applications;
- be fully aware of the assumptions that have to apply for the various models to be applicable;
- students will also have the knowledge required to conduct Bayesian data analysis.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- conduct statistical analysis using Bayesian statistical Techniques;
- formulate model equations within the Bayesian paradigm and estimate corresponding statistical posterior distributions and performance diagnostics.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Congdon P.D. (2020). Bayesian Hierarchical Models With Applications using R. Second edition. Taylor and Francis Group,LLC.
- Lee, P.M (1997). Bayesian statistics: An introduction. Second edition. John Wiley and sons Inc. New York, NY.
- Ghosh, J.K, Delampady M. and Samata, T. (2006). An Introduction to Bayesian Analysis: Theory and Methods. Springer Text in Statistics, USA.
- Press, S. J. (2003). Subjective and Objective Bayesian statistics: Principals, Models and Applications. Second Edition, John Wiley and sons Inc. New York, NY.
- Gelman , A. , Carlin J.B. Stein, H.S., Rubin D.B., (2004). Bayesian data analysis. Second Edition. Chapman and Hall/CRC, New York, NY.
- Robert, C.P. (207) The Bayesian Choice: From Decision-Theoretic Foundations to Computational Implementation. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Richard McElreath (2016). Statistical Rethinking: A Bayesian Course with Examples in R and Stan.
- Vladimir P. Savchuk & Chris P. Tsokos (2011) Bayesian Theory and Methods with Applications. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Von Der Linden W., Dose V. and Von Toussant U. (2014). Bayesian Probability Theory Applications in the Physical Sciences. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-Requisite Study-units: SOR1110, SOR2120, SOR2221

Co-Requisite Study-unit: SOR3500

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Project SEM2 No 30%
Computer-Assisted Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Monique Borg Inguanez

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit