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Unit of study_

ECMT1010: Introduction to Economic Statistics

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit emphasises understanding the use of computing technology for data description and statistical inference. Both classical and modern statistical techniques such as bootstrapping will be introduced. Students will develop an appreciation for both the usefulness and limitations of modern and classical theories in statistical inference. Computer software (e.g., Excel, StatKey) will be used for analysing real datasets.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ECMT1010
Academic unit Economics
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ECMT1011 or ECMT1012 or ECMT1013 or MATH1015 or MATH1005 or MATH1905 or STAT1021 or ECOF1010 or BUSS1020 or ENVX1001 or DATA1001
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Students enrolled in this unit have an assumed knowledge equal to or exceeding 70 or higher in HSC Mathematics (or equivalent), or 35 or higher in HSC Mathematics Extension 1 (or equivalent), or 35 or higher in HSC Mathematics Extension 2 (or equivalent).

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Luz Stenberg, luz.stenberg@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
30 multiple choice questions and 2 short-answer questions
55% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Online task Online quizzes
Multiple response questions
10% Multiple weeks Varies
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
In-semester test (Open book) Type C in-semester exam Midsemester exam
30 multiple choice questions
25% Week 07
Due date: 14 Oct 2020 at 15:00
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment Assignment
Short-answer questions
10% Week 12
Due date: 20 Nov 2020 at 18:00
Varies
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type C in-semester exam = Type C in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

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 Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Mid-semester break 5 October 2020 to 9 October 2020 Independent study (2 hr)  
Week 01 Introduction/Collecting Data Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 1 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 02 Describing data Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 2 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 03 Sampling distribution, confidence intervals, bootstrapping Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 3 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 04 Bootstrap confidence intervals Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 4 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 05 Introduction to hypothesis tests Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 5 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 06 Hypothesis testing, the normal distribution Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 6 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 07 Mid-Semester Exam Individual study (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Approximating with a distribution, inference for means and proportions (one population) Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 8 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 09 Inference for means and proportions (two populations) Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 9 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 10 Inference for regression Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 10 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 11 Probability basics, Bayes’ rule Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 11 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 12 Random variables, probability functions, binomial probabilities Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 12 workshop Workshop (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Robin H. Lock, Patti Frazer Lock, Kari Lock Morgan, Eric F. Lock, Dennis F. Lock, Statistics: Unlocking the Power of Data, Wiley, 2nd Edition.

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.

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

  • LO1. describe data using simple statistics and visual tools
  • LO2. understand the concept of statistical inference as a systematic approach to infer the population parameters using sample data
  • LO3. demonstrate proficiency in the use of software for data analysis
  • LO4. appreciate the importance of correct and responsible use of data
  • LO5. implement appropriate statistical inference procedures in various applications in economics and social sciences and effectively interpret the result to a wide audience.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

No changes have been made since the unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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