About the education
The course consists of one course unit:
1. Bayesian Statistics I
In Bayesian inference, parameters are considered to be random variables and any previous knowledge about these parameters is expressed as a probability distribution, the so called a priori distribution. This prior distribution is then updated to a posterior distribution by using Bayes’ theorem to combine it with the observed data which is expressed through the likelihood function. The a posterior distribution, thus, expresses evidence about the parameters after data has been observed.
This course provides an introduction to Bayesian analysis with emphasis on understanding the basic concepts and methods. Simple problems are studied in detail together with an overview and analysis of more complicated real-life problems. The course also provides an introduction to simulation-based computational methods such as the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) which are often used in Bayesian inference.
The concepts and topics that will be dealt in more detail in the course are: subjective probabilities, likelihood, a priori and a posteriori distributions, model evaluation, MCMC.
Subject: Statistics
Statistics
Do you want an exciting job and would you like to be sought after in the labour market? As a statistician, you have access to a wide labour market.
Statistical methods have been developed in collaboration with different application areas such as opinion surveys, economic forecasts and official statistics production. Statistics are therefore an important aid in connection with different forms of social planning. Statistical methods are also used within pharmaceutical research, biological research, psychological research and industrial quality control, as well as within retail and web analysis. Therefore there is currently great demand for individuals who can analyse data.
Statistics as a science entails developing methods in order to conduct statistical surveys and then analysing the results. When you study statistics you learn about methods for collecting, processing, analysing and drawing conclusions from data. You practice discussing and evaluating the effects of different sources of error during studies of data material. Probability reasoning plays an important role for describing uncertainty. The use of computer programs is also an important feature of the education. During the first semester the emphasis is on practical applications. There is greater focus on statistical theory at higher levels. Depending on the current supply, you can choose to specialise within different specialist areas, such as multivariate methods, sample surveys or survival analysis with demographic application. The department’s research areas include experimental design and official statistics.
LABOUR MARKET The labour market for statisticians is currently good and this trend is expected to continue for both recent graduates and experienced statisticians. Statisticians are required within all areas and are sought after by both the public sector and private companies. Opinion and marketing institutes, the financial market, pharmaceuticals companies, the State, municipalities and interest organisations are some examples of work areas with opportunities for statisticians.
DEGREE In order to be awarded a degree of Bachelor with statistics as the main field of study, you can either study freestanding courses of 90 credits in the subject, together with courses of 90 credits in optional subjects, or choose any of the following programmes:
* Bachelor’s Programme in Economics and Statistics (and select statistics as the main field of study)
* Bachelor’s Programme in Urban and Regional Planning (and select statistics as the main field of study)
After the degree of Bachelor, you can study the Master’s programme in statistics.
Area of interest: Human, Social and Political Sciences, and Law
Are you interested in human beings and society? How we function individually and together, what drives us, our learning processes, how rules and laws have been established, and how we interact with each other? If that is the case we have a lot to offer.
This area of interest covers anything from Pedagogy, Psychology and Gender Studies, to Statistics, Political Science, Law and many other subjects. Their common denominator is the relation between human beings and society, independent analytical thinking and often an international perspective.