Introduction to Statistical Computing (MAST90101)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
FeesLook up fees


The aim of this subject is to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for moderate to high level data manipulation and management in preparation for statistical analysis of data typically encountered in health and medical research. Students will gain hands-on experience with two major statistical software packages (Stata and R), learning to efficiently manage and manipulate data, display and summarize data, check and clean datasets, and link files using unique and non-unique identifiers. Additionally, students will acquire fundamental graphing and programming skills for  each of these software packages and will be introduced to key principles of confidentiality and privacy in data storage, management, and analysis. 

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the subject, students should be able to:

  • Gain experience in data manipulation and management using two major statistical software packages (Stata and R).
  • Display and summarise data using statistical software.
  • Perform checks and clean datasets to ensure data integrity.
  • Apply programming skills to link files through the use of unique and non-unique identifiers.
  • Demonstrate fundamental programming skills for efficient use of software packages.
  • Recognise key principles regarding confidentiality and privacy in data storage, management and analysis.

Generic skills

  • Independent problem solving,
  • Facility with abstract reasoning,
  • Clarity of written expression,
  • Sound communication of technical concepts

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Practical exercise

  • 500 words
Week 310%

Written assignment 1

  • 1500 words
Week 630%

Written assignment with programming

  • 1500 words
Week 930%

Written assignment 3

  • 1500 words
Hurdle requirement: To pass this subject, students must complete this assignment successfully		During the examination period30%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    CoordinatorEmily Karahalios
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hours6 hours of lectures (1 hour lecture each fortnight) and 24 hours of tutorials (2 hours each week)
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025
    Last self-enrol date14 March 2025
    Census date31 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025
    Assessment period ends27 June 2025

    Semester 1 contact information

    emily.karahalios@unimelb.edu.au

    Currently enrolled students:

    Future Students:

     

Time commitment details

Remaining Time Commitment - 14 hours for first assessment (500 words) - 42 hours for Assignment 1 - 42 hours for Assignment 2 - 42 Hours Assignment 3

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Resources Provided to Students online: Course notes and assignments.

    Special Computer Requirements: Stata and R (open access) statistical software.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Biostatistics
    CourseDoctor of Philosophy - Engineering
    CourseMaster of Philosophy - Engineering
    CourseGraduate Diploma in Biostatistics
  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025