Math 5090-1: Statistical Inference II. Fall 2014




Schedule: Meets 6:00--7:30 pm Mondays and Wednesdays in SW 133. PhD students may want to register under the number 6828.

Instructor: S. Ethier (Prof.), 581-6148, ethier@math.utah.edu.

Instructor office hours: 3:45--5:00 MW, JWB 119. Other times may be available by appointment.

Prerequisite: Math 5080, Statistical Inference I, with a grade of C or better.

Text: Introduction to Probability and Mathematical Statistics, 2nd Ed., by Bain and Engelhardt. You should already have this book from Math 5080.

Topics covered: Tests of hypotheses, including likelihood ratio tests and sequential tests. Contingency tables and goodness-of-fit tests. Nonparametric tests. Introduction to regression and linear models. Finally, as time permits, reliability and survival distributions.

Grades: Based on weekly 15-minute quizzes (20%), two one-hour midterm exams (25% each), tentatively Oct. 8 and Nov. 19, and a final exam (30%). The dates of the midterms will be confirmed at least a week in advance and posted on this page. The final exam is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 15, 6--8 pm but in a different room, JWB 333. Early exams are never given.

Homework/Quizzes: Assigned problems will be posted on this webpage on Thursdays with solutions posted on Canvas by the following Tuesday. Because these solutions can probably be found on the Internet, you will not have to turn in your work. But you should attempt these problems before looking at the solutions, because a quiz will be given on Wednesday to test your understanding of the material. Your two lowest quiz scores will be dropped before averaging, to allow for up to two absences. There are no make-up quizzes.

Exams: Exams can be made up if there is a very good justification and if arrangements are made in advance, but this is rare. (Phone the department office before the exam begins to give notification if the instructor is not available; 581-6851.) Students with disabilities can take exams at the CDS the next day.

Expected learning outcomes: The student who successfully completes the course will be conversant with the basics of hypothesis testing, goodness-of-fit tests, nonparametric tests, and the basics of linear models.



Final exam is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 15, 6--8 pm, but in a different room, JWB 333. You may bring one sheet of notes and a calculator. Last year's exam is posted on Canvas, as are handwritten solutions.