Monte Carlo Methods and Bayesian Statistics
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Spring
- Course code
- STAT250
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English if English-speaking students attend, otherwise Norwegian
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
The course provides an introduction to theory and practice in Monte Carlo statistical methods and Bayesian statistics. It aims to provide a good foundation in both fields. Topics covered are the generation of random numbers from different probability distributions, estimation of density functions, Monte Carlo integration, Monte Carlo methods of statistical inference, and the bootstrap. The corse will also provide an introduction to Markov Chain Monte Carlo and Bayesian statistics.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course, students should be able to:
- Generate of random numbers from (different) probability distributions
- Use/ apply the acceptance-rejection algorithm
- Perform Monte Carlo integration with error evaluation and carry out importance sampling in an integration context
- know acceleration methods such as the use of antithetical variables and control variables
- Use Monte Carlo methods of estimation of density functions and carry out hypothesis tests
- Know the Bootstrap method
- Understand and be able to apply Markov Chain Mojte Carlo (MCMC) including Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and Gibbs sampling
- Understand the Bayesian theorem and can carry out Bayesian inference both theoretically and numerically with MCMC
- Know the concept of Bayesian conjugate prior distributions
- Use Bayesian model selection and Bayesian networks
Level of Study
Master
Semester of Instruction
Spring/Irregular. Course will be offered if it is on this course list: Workbook: Emneliste for innreisende utvekslingsstudenter (uhad.no)
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
Access to the course requires admission to a program of study at The Faculty of Science and Technology
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures / approx. 4 hours pr. week
Computer lab / appro. 2 hours a week for 6 weeks
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
To mandatory exercises
Forms of Assessment
Oral examination
Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.