Master of Science by Coursework in Statistical Science

Differences from 2018/19 to 2023/24

  • 1. The Divisional Board of Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences shall elect for the supervision of the course a Standing Committee which shall have power to arrange lectures and other instruction.

  • 2. Candidates shall follow for at least three terms a course of instruction in StatisticsStatistical Science.

  • 3. In the following, ‘the Course Handbook’ refers to the MSc in Statistical Science Handbook and course web pages published by the Supervisory Committee.
  • 34. The examination will consistbe ofin three parts:

    • (i) aCandidates writtenshall examinationoffer consistingeight ofunits two papers on the syllabus described infrom the schedule; of units (see below). These must include SB1 (a double-unit) and SB2 (a double-unit).

    • (ii) Candidates shall submit a practical assignment on Statistical Programming.

    • (iii) Candidates shall also submit a dissertation on a subject selected in consultation with the supervisor and approved by the chairdirector of the committeecourse.

  • 45.  TwoThe typewritten or printed copiesmode of theassessment dissertationof mustSB1 and SB2 shall be senta notcombination laterof thanwritten noonexaminations onand thepractical secondassignments, Mondayas in Septemberdetailed in the yearCourse in which the written examination is taken, to the M.Sc. examiners (Statistical Science), c/o Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford. The examiners may retain one copy of the dissertation of each candidate who passes the examination for deposit in an appropriate departmental library.

  • 5. Each candidate will be expected to have displayed evidence of the ability to apply statistical methods to real data.

    The examiners will take into account the results of an assessment of ability to apply statistical methods to real data organised by the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee will be responsible for notifying the candidates of the arrangements for the assessment, and for forwarding the assessed material to the chair of the examiners before the end of the Trinity Term in the year in which the assessment is madeHandbook. The supervisory committee may specify that one of the practical assessmentsassignments will be carried out as group projects, theas details of which will be givendetailed in the Course Handbook.

  • 6. The mode of assessment of other units shall be either written assignment or written examination, as detailed in the Course Handbook. 

  • 7. The use of calculators is generally not permitted for written papers. However, their use may be permitted for certain exceptional examinations. The specification of calculators permitted infor thethese writtenexceptional examinations will be announced by the Examiners in the Hilary Term preceding the examination.

  • 7. In the written examination the examiners will permit the use of bilingual dictionaries.

  • 8. The examiners may also examine any candidate viva voce.

  • 9. The examiners may award a distinction for excellence in the whole examination.

  • 10. If it is the opinion of the examiners that the work done by the candidate is not of sufficient merit to qualify for the Degree of M.Sc., but is nevertheless of sufficient merit to qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma in Statistical Science, the candidate shall be given the option of retaking the M.Sc. examination on one further occasion, not later than one year after the initial attempt, or of being issued with a postgraduate diploma. In the event of a candidates work not being of sufficient merit to qualify for the award of the M.Sc., the examiners will specify which of the assessed components of the course may or must be redone.

  •  
  • 9. A candidate who fails the course, or who declines the option of being issued with a postgraduate diploma, will be permitted to retake on one further occasion only. This resit attempt shall be taken at the next opportunity. The examiners will specify at the time of failure which of the assessed components of the course may or must be redone. No candidate who has achieved a mark of at least 50 (pass) in any one of the assessed components may enter again for the same component. 

Schedule

PaperThe 1: Principlesschedule of statisticalunits analysis

Paperand 2:the Furthermode statisticalof methodology

Topicsassessment details for Paperseach 1 and 2unit will be published in the Course Handbook by the beginning of the Michaelmas Full Term ofin the academic year in whichof the written examination is to be taken.

The Course Handbook will also include the rules governing the submission of dissertations, practical assignments and any units assessed by written assignment, including deadlines.