DATA5710: Semester 1, 2026

Units DATA5710 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

DATA5710: Applied Statistics for Complex Data

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

With explosions in availability of computing power and facilities for gathering data in recent times, a key skill of any graduate is the ability to work with increasingly complex datasets. There may include, for example, data sets with multiple levels of observations gathered from diverse sources using a variety of methods. Being able to apply computational skills to implement appropriate software, as well as bringing to bear statistical expertise in the design of the accompanying algorithms are both vital when facing the challenge of analysing complicated data. This unit is made up of three distinct modules, each focusing on a different aspect of applications of statistical methods to complex data. These include (but are not restricted to) the development of a data product that interrogate large and complicated data structures; using sophisticated statistical methods to improve computational efficiency for large data sets or computationally intensive statistical methods; and the analysis of categorical ordinal data. Across all modules you will develop expertise in areas of statistical methodology, statistical analysis as well as computational statistics. Additional modules may be delivered, depending on the areas of expertise of available staff and distinguished visitors.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Mathematics and Statistics Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Strong background in statistical modelling and coding. Please consult with the coordinator for further information
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tiangang Cui, tiangang.cui@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final exam Written examination	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assignments Four assignments due in Week 4, Week 7, Week 10, and Week 13.	20%	Multiple weeks	3-5 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Quiz In-class individual quiz. In-person written task.	20%	Week 05 Due date: 27 Mar 2026 at 16:00 Closing date: 27 Mar 2026	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assignment: There are four individual assignments. Your work must be submitted electronically via Canvas by the deadline. Note that your submission will not be marked if it is illegible or if it is submitted sideways or upside down. It is your responsibility to check that your assignment has been submitted correctly and that it is complete (check that you can view each page). Late submissions will receive a penalty. A mark of zero will be awarded for all submissions more than 10 days past the original due date.

Quiz: One close-book, supervised quiz will be held in person in Week 5 during workshops. Any Special Consideration for Mid-term will go to mark adjustment.

Final Exam: The final exam for this unit is compulsory and must be attempted. Failure to attempt the final exam will result in an AF grade for the course.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Interrogating complex data	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 02	Interrogating complex data	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 03	Evaluation in the absence of truth	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 04	Evaluation in the absence of truth	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 05	Spatial analysis	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	Spatial analysis	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Gaussian processes and kernel trick	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 08	Basics of computational linear algebra	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 09	Matrix factorisations and least square solution	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 10	Matrix completion, Eigenvalues	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 11	Eigenvalue problems, Singular value problems	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 12	Image reconstruction, CUR approximation	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 13	Tensors, revision	Workshop (4 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate a coherent and advanced understanding of key concepts in computational statistics.
LO2. Apply fundamental principles and results in statistics to solve given problems.
LO3. Distinguish and compare the properties of different types of statistical models and statistical methods applicable to them.
LO4. Identify assumptions required for various statistical methods to be valid and devise methods for testing these assumptions.
LO5. Devise statistical solutions to complex problems.
LO6. Adapt various computational techniques to build software for solving particular statistical problems.
LO7. Communicate coherent statistical arguments appropriately to student and expert audiences, both orally and through written work.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

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