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STAT40820

Academic Year 2024/2025

Monte Carlo (online) (STAT40820)

Subject:
Statistics & Actuarial Science
College:
Science
School:
Mathematics & Statistics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Fengnan Gao
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will discuss several computational methods that rely on repeated random sampling to approximate numerical quantities of interest. In particular, the methods here explored will concern strategies to simulate from probability distributions in order to numerically compute different estimates of interest and to carry out inferential statements. This course will make use of the free statistical software package R (www.r-project.org).

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding of:
- Various random numbers generation methods (for both uniform and non-uniform random variables)
- Monte Carlo methods (Rejection method, Importance Sampling)
- Various Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods (Gibbs sampler, Metropolis-Hastings, diagnostic techniques)
- Advanced topics in Monte Carlo methods (Control Variates, Antithetic Variates, Simulated Annealing, Monte Carlo Hp tests)

Both theoretical and practical aspects of the different methods will be illustrated. Implementation of the methods discussed will be explored using the R programming language.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

24

Autonomous Student Learning

72

Online Learning

24

Total

120


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Video lectures, computer code walkthroughs, problem-based learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

- Basic understanding of probability. For more details on the required level, see for example the content and learning outcomes of STAT20110 - Introduction to Probability;
- Familiarity with common statistical distributions e.g. Gaussian, Gamma, Beta, Exponential, etc. ;
- Basic knowledge of function optimization (mathematical optimization);
- Basic understanding of statistical inference and hypothesis testing. For more details on the required level, see for example the content and learning outcomes of STAT20100 - Inferential Statistics.

Learning Recommendations:

- Basic knowledge of Stochastic Processes;
- Basic knowledge of Bayesian Inference;
- Basic knowledge of R programming language.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
STAT40400 - Monte Carlo Inference


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Continuous Assessment: Online assessments Week 5, Week 8, Week 11 Graded No
36
No
Exam (Online): MCQ online, taken within a 48 hour window Week 3 Graded No
4
No
Exam (Online): Timed online open book exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
60
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

1. "Introducing Monte Carlo methods with R" by C.P. Robert and G. Casella
2. "Monte Carlo Statistical Methods (second edition)" by C.P. Robert and G. Casella

Name Role
Dr Fengnan Gao Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Catherine Higgins Tutor
Ms Catherine Higgins Tutor