STSM1614

Introductory Statistics

NQF level: 5

Number of credits: 16

Department of Mathematical

Statistics and Actuarial

Science

Compiled by:

Prof A. Verster

2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introductory Instructions......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1. Welcoming.................................................................................................................... 5
2. Module Objective ......................................................................................................... 5
3. Module Outcomes ........................................................................................................ 6
4. Learning Units .............................................................................................................. 6
5. Prerequisites ................................................................................................................ 7
6. Credits and Notional Learning Hours ......................................................................... 7
7. Module Calendar .......................................................................................................... 7
8. Study Material .............................................................................................................. 9
9. Assessment.................................................................................................................. 9
9.1. Assessment Breakdown....................................................................................... 9
9.2. Promotion ............................................................................................................ 11
9.3. Assignments ....................................................................................................... 11
9.4. Calculation of the Final Mark ............................................................................. 12
9.5. Passing the Module ............................................................................................ 12
10. Updating of Module Information and Resources ..................................................... 13

Table 1: Icon Library ........................................................................................................... 2

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Table 1: Icon Library

Icon Description

Welcoming message and lecturer information

Module objective

Module outcomes

Action words, terms and concepts that need to be understood

Activities and resources made available on Blackboard

Prerequisites of the module

Credits and notional hours relevant to the module

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Face-to-face contact sessions

Activities to be completed individually (preparation). You may still ask for

feedback from your tutor or lecturer when you encounter aspects that
you have difficulty with

A quiz – usually made available for self-assessment on Blackboard

Unit-specific content for the module

The resources to be consulted (such as the textbook, additional reading

material, etc.)

The roadmap that contextualises (puts into perspective) the different

pieces of information in the module

An important reminder/caution from your lecturer

Assessment questions and opportunities

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Unit-specific assessment criteria

A learning unit

Learning unit outcomes for a specific unit

Purpose of the learning unit

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 1. WELCOMING

Dear student,

Welcome to STSM1614, Introductory Probability Theory! I am Professor Andréhette Verster

and will be responsible for teaching this module. Here is all the information that you will need
to contact me, as well as other relevant staff in the Department of Mathematical Statistics and
Actuarial Science.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

Head of Department: Mr. Frans Koning

Office number: W 109

Email address: koningf@[Link]

Phone number: 051 4013417

LECTURER

Lecturer: Prof Andréhette Verster

Office number: W 108

Email address: verstera@[Link]

Phone number: 501 4019014

Consulting hours: Monday: 10:10 – 12:00

Thursday: 11:11 – 12:00

Additional consultation can be arranged via email.

2. MODULE OBJECTIVE

In this section I will provide you with a short overview of what will be expected from you to be
successful in your learning in this module.

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The aim of STSM1614 is to have a basic understanding of probability theory.

3. MODULE OUTCOMES

After successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Understand and apply descriptive statistics: distinguish between qualitative and

quantitative data; organise and present data; calculate the mean, mode, median, range,
standard deviation, and quantiles for grouped and ungrouped data.
• Understand and apply probability principles: formulate a sample space and apply the
laws of set theory; calculate probabilities using counting methods, including the
multiplication principle, permutations and combinations; apply the laws of conditional
probability, including the multiplication law, the law of total probability and Bayes’ rule;
apply the notion of independent events.
• Understand the theory behind random variables and make use of it: apply general
properties of a distribution function and a cumulative distribution function; define, identify
and use the different types of random variables (Bernoulli, Binomial, Geometric,
Negative Binomial, Hypergeometric, Poisson, Uniform, Exponential, Gamma, and
Normal); derive, describe, interpret, and use simple functions of random variables.

4. LEARNING UNITS

In addressing the module outcomes above, the following learning units will be covered in this
module.

Learning unit 1: Descriptive Statistics

Learning unit 2: Chapter 1: Probability

Learning unit 3: Chapter 2: Random Variables

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 5. PREREQUISITES

• STSM1624: Please note that STSM1614 and MATM1534 (passed with at least 60%)
are prerequisites for STSM1624.
• Postgraduate studies: Please note that MATM1534 (passed with at least 60%),
MATM1644 and MATM1622 are prerequisites for postgraduate studies in Statistics
and Mathematical Statistics.

6. CREDITS AND NOTIONAL LEARNING HOURS

‘Notional learning hours’ indicate the amount of learning time taken by the ‘average’ student
to achieve the specified learning outcomes of the course unit or programme. This includes all
learning relevant to achieving the learning outcomes, e.g., directed study, essential practical
work, group work, private study, preparation and assessment.

This module has 16 credits, requiring 160 notional learning hours from students.

7. MODULE CALENDAR

The module stretches over a 12 week period, during which the following programme will be
followed:

Type Day Time Venue

English Theory I Monday 09:10 – 10:00 STB3

English Theory II Tuesday 09:10 – 10:00 W201

English Theory III Thursday 10:10 – 11:00 W202

Practical Friday 10:10 – 13:00 RindlS

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 UNIT WEEK ACTIVITIES

1 20 Feb – 3 March 6 class lectures + 2

tutorials

2 6 March – 7 April 11 class lectures + 3

tutorials

Class test 1 on 17 March

21 March: Public holiday

Test 1 on 24 March

27 March - 31 March: UFS holiday

7 April: Public holiday

3 11 April – 12 May 12 class lectures + 3

tutorials

10 April: Public holiday

27 April: Public holiday

Class test 2 on 21 April

1 May: Public holiday

Test 2 on 5 May

Test 3 on 26 May

Extra 15 – 26 May Revision

(Please note that this is a rough schedule that may change at any time.)

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that he/she receives all the information in
connection with this module provided during the contact sessions. Attendance of all contact
sessions are compulsory. Please note that only registered students will be allowed to attend
the STSM1614 contact sessions.

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 8. STUDY MATERIAL

• The prescribed textbook in this module is: Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis,
third edition, John A. Rice.
• In addition to the textbook, other study material will be used as part of the teaching and
learning in this module. This material and activities will be made available on
Blackboard throughout the semester. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that
he/she obtains and prepares all study material in time.

9. ASSESSMENT

9.1. ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

Your module mark (predicate) will be calculated as follows:

ASSESSMENT TYPE Time, Date and CONTRIBUTION TO MODULE

Venue MARK
Test 1 Written Friday 24 March The average between the best
2023, 10:00 – 12:00, two tests counts 80% towards
EXR1 and EXR2. the module mark
Test 2 Written Friday 5 May 2023,
10:00 – 12:00,
EXR1 and EXR2.
Test 3 Written Friday 26 May 2023,
10:00 – 12:00,
EXR4 and EXR3.
Weekly Online STSM Online Tut 1: 10% towards the module mark
assignments assignments 20 – 26 February.

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 STSM Online Tut 2:
27 February – 5
March.

STSM Online Tut 3:

6 – 12 March.

STSM Online Tut 4:

13 – 19 March.

STSM Online Tut 5:

3 – 9 April.

STSM Online Tut 6:

10 – 16 April.

STSM Online Tut 7:

17 April – 23 April.

STSM Online Tut 8:

8 – 14 May.

STSM Online Tut 9:

15– 21 May.
Class Tests Class tests (1 17 March. Available 10% towards the module mark
hour) written from 10:00 – 14:00.
online on
Blackboard. 21 April. Available
from 10:00 – 14:00.

Three semester test opportunities will take place during the semester. The first semester test
opportunity covers the first half of the course content, the second semester test opportunity
covers the second half of the course content, and the third semester test opportunity will cover
all the work covered during the semester. Every student must write at least two semester
tests for him/her to obtain a semester mark. If a student participates in all three semester test
opportunities, the best two semester test marks will be used in calculation of the semester
mark.

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There will be two online class tests during the semester. The average of the two class tests
counts 10% towards your semester mark. Refer to the schedule for more information.

(Please note that the lecturer may make slight changes to the calculation of the semester mark
if necessary)

9.2. PROMOTION

Through a system known as promotion, it is possible for a student to pass this course without
participating in an examination. To do so a student must fulfill the following minimum
requirements:

i Obtain a semester mark of at least 75%, and

ii Should participate in the third semester test opportunity and pass with 65% or more.

9.3. ASSIGNMENTS

It is expected of the students to complete and submit online assignments, via Blackboard, to
obtain a tutorial mark. The online assignments will open respectively on a Monday morning
and close on a Friday evening (of the weeks indicated on the schedule). Each student will
have a maximum of 90 minutes, after the tutorial is opened, to complete and submit the
tutorial. Student assistants will be available on a Friday morning (except on the semester test
Fridays) from 10:00 to 12:00 in Rindl Hall for assistance with the weekly assignments.
Submitting the online tutorials are compulsory!

Students who repeat the course (i.e., students who failed the course before) must also submit
the online tutorials and the class tests to obtain a tutorial and class test mark for this year.
Tutorial marks obtained during previous years will not be carried forward to be used as a
tutorial mark obtained for this year.

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9.4. EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS

Each student needs to obtain a semester mark of at least 45% during the semester to write
exam. To obtain a semester mark, a student must write 2 semester tests. A student who did
not comply with this condition will be deemed “INCOMPLETE” and will not be allowed to write
the examination.

9.5. CALCULATION OF THE FINAL MARK

The final mark of this module is calculated as follows: 50% of the module mark plus 50% of
the examination mark

9.6. PASSING THE MODULE

A student should obtain a final mark of 50% or more to pass this module. In addition, a sub-
minimum examination mark of 40% is required.

9.7. ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION:

In order to qualify for the additional examination a student have to obtain

(i) an average semester- and examination mark (i.e. final mark) of 45% (minimum)
to 49% (maximum), AND obtain an examination mark of at least 30%, OR

(ii) an average semester- and examination mark (i.e. final mark) of at least 50%
AND obtain an examination mark less than 40%.

9.7 IMPROVING MARKS:

To improve examination marks, a student may write the additional examination if

(i) an average semester- and examination mark (i.e. final mark) of at least 60% is
obtained, AND

(ii) an examination mark of at least 40% is obtained.

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 Students who want to improve their marks must apply at the examination
department to write the additional examination.

10. UPDATING OF MODULE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

The module schedule and syllabus (study material), either orally or in writing, can be updated
or modified at any time by the lecturer or the department of Mathematical Statistics and
Actuarial Science. It is the responsibility of students enrolled in this module to stay up to date
with the schedule and syllabus. An announcement of this type can be given in face-to-face
class sessions or communicated on Blackboard. It is recommended that students check
Blackboard daily to keep up to date with the latest developments in STSM1614. Any work
discussed during contact sessions can be used for assessment purposes.

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