STSM1614

Introductory Statistics

NQF level: 5

Number of credits:16

Department of Mathematical

Statistics and Actuarial

Science

Compiled by: Prof A.

Verster

Faculty of
Natural and Agricultural
Sciences
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Instructor Information.................................................................................................. 2
2. Module Description...................................................................................................... 2
3. Graduate Attributes ..................................................................................................... 3
5. Module Schedule ......................................................................................................... 4
6. List of materials ........................................................................................................... 5
7. Assessment of learning ............................................................................................... 5
8. Evaluation procedures ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
9. Policies and expectations ........................................................................................... 8

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 1. INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Dear student,

Welcome to STSM1614, Introductory Probability Theory! I am Professor Andréhette Verster

and will be responsible for teaching this module. Here is all the information that you will need
to contact me.

Email: [email protected]

Office number: West block 108

Consultation hours:

Thursday: 11:10 – 13:00

Friday: 11:00 – 12:00

Additional consultation can be arranged via email.

2. MODULE DESCRIPTION

The aim of STSM1614 is to have a basic understanding of probability theory.

After successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Understand and apply descriptive statistics: distinguish between qualitative and

quantitative data; organise and present data; calculate the mean, mode, median, range,
standard deviation, and quantiles for grouped and ungrouped data.
• Understand and apply probability principles: formulate a sample space and apply the
laws of set theory; calculate probabilities using counting methods, including the
multiplication principle, permutations and combinations; apply the laws of conditional
probability, including the multiplication law, the law of total probability and Bayes’ rule;
apply the notion of independent events.
• Understand the theory behind random variables and make use of it: apply general
properties of a distribution function and a cumulative distribution function; define, identify
and use the different types of random variables (Bernoulli, Binomial, Geometric,
Negative Binomial, Hypergeometric, Poisson, Uniform, Exponential, Gamma, and
Normal); derive, describe, interpret, and use simple functions of random variables.

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 3. GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES

In this module, you will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through
engagement in Online tutorials, Class tests, Semester tests, writing Exam papers and taking
part in various Class activities.

4. HOW LEARNING WILL TAKE PLACE

‘Notional learning hours’ indicate the amount of learning time taken by the ‘average’ student
to achieve the specified learning outcomes of the course unit or programme. This includes all
learning relevant to achieving the learning outcomes, e.g., directed study, essential practical
work, group work, private study, preparation and assessment.

This module has 16 credits, requiring 160 notional learning hours from students.

There are 3 learning units that we will cover:

Learning unit 1: Descriptive Statistics

Learning unit 2: Chapter 1: Probability

Learning unit 3: Chapter 2: Random Variables

The class timetable is indicated below:

Type Day Time Venue

English Theory I Monday 09:10 – 10:00 STB3

English Theory II Tuesday 09:10 – 10:00 W201

English Theory III Thursday 10:10 – 11:00 MODLECA1

Practical Friday 10:10 – 13:00 RindlS

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 5. MODULE SCHEDULE

The module stretches over a 15-week period, during which the following programme will be
followed:

UNIT WEEK ACTIVITIES

1 10 Feb – 28 Feb 9 class lectures + 3

tutorials

2 3 March – 5 April 12 class lectures + 2

tutorials

Class Test 1 on 7 March

Test 1 on 14 March

21 March: Human Rights Day

31 March - 4 April: UFS holiday

3 7 April – 16 May 15 class lectures + 3

tutorials

Class test 2 on 11 April

Test 2 on 25 April

18 April: Good Friday

21 April: Family Day

28 April: Public holiday

Test 3 on 23 May

Extra 19 – 27 May Revision

(Please note that this is a rough schedule that may change at any time.)

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that he/she receives all the information in
connection with this module provided during the contact sessions. Attendance of all contact

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sessions are compulsory. Please note that only registered students will be allowed to attend
the STSM1614 contact sessions.

6. LIST OF MATERIALS

• The prescribed textbook in this module is: Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis,
third edition, John A. Rice.
• In addition to the textbook, other study material will be used as part of the teaching and
learning in this module. This material and activities will be made available on
Blackboard throughout the semester. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that
he/she obtains and prepares all study material in time.

7. ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING

Your assessment schedule is given below:

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ASSESSMENT TYPE Time, Date and CONTRIBUTION TO MODULE
Venue MARK
Test 1 Written Friday 14 March The average between the best
2025, 10:00 – 12:00, two tests counts 80% towards
EXR1 and EXR2. the module mark
Test 2 Written Friday 25 April 2025,
12:00 – 14:00,
EXR6.
Test 3 Written Friday 23 May 2025,
10:00 – 12:00,
EXR1 and EXR2.
Weekly Online STSM Online Tut 1: 10% towards the module mark
assignments assignments 17 – 23 February.

STSM Online Tut 2:

24 February – 2
March.

STSM Online Tut 3:

3 – 9 March.

STSM Online Tut 4:

10 – 16 March.

STSM Online Tut 5:

17 – 30 March.

STSM Online Tut 6:

7 – 13 April.

STSM Online Tut 7:

14 April – 29 April.

STSM Online Tut 8:

29 April – 11 May.

STSM Online Tut 9:

12– 18 May.

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 Class Tests Class tests (1 7 March. Available 10% towards the module mark
hour) written from 10:00 – 14:00.
online on
Blackboard. 11 April. Available
from 10:00 – 14:00.

(Please note that the lecturer may make slight changes to the calculation of the semester mark
if necessary)

Semester Tests: Three semester test opportunities will take place during the semester. The
first semester test opportunity covers the first half of the course content, the second semester
test opportunity covers the second half of the course content, and the third semester test
opportunity will cover all the work covered during the semester. Every student must write at
least two semester tests for him/her to obtain a semester mark. If a student participates in
all three semester test opportunities, the best two semester test marks will be used in
calculation of the semester mark.

Class Tests: There will be two online class tests during the semester. The average of the two
class tests counts 10% towards your semester mark. Refer to the schedule for more
information.

Assignments: It is expected of the students to complete and submit online assignments, via
Blackboard, to obtain a tutorial mark. The online assignments will open respectively on a
Monday morning and close on a Sunday evening (of the weeks indicated on the schedule).
Each student will have a maximum of 90 minutes, after the tutorial is opened, to
complete and submit the tutorial. Student assistants will be available on a Friday morning
(except on the semester test Fridays) from 10:00 to 13:00 in Rindl Hall for assistance with the
weekly assignments. Submitting the online tutorials are compulsory!

Students who repeat the course (i.e., students who failed the course before) must also submit
the online tutorials and the class tests to obtain a tutorial and class test mark for this year.
Tutorial marks obtained during previous years will not be carried forward to be used as a
tutorial mark obtained for this year.

Promotion: Through a system known as promotion, it is possible for a student to pass this
course without participating in an examination. To do so a student must fulfill the following
minimum requirements:

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i Obtain a semester mark of at least 75%, and

ii Should participate in the third semester test opportunity and pass with 65% or more.

Examination: Each student needs to obtain a semester mark of at least 45% during the
semester to write exam. To obtain a semester mark, a student must write 2 semester tests. A
student who did not comply with this condition will be deemed “INCOMPLETE” and will not be
allowed to write the examination.

Final mark: The final mark of this module is calculated as follows: 50% of the module mark
plus 50% of the examination mark. A student should obtain a final mark of 50% or more to
pass this module. In addition, a sub-minimum examination mark of 40% is required.

Additional examination: In order to qualify for the additional examination a student have to
obtain

i an average semester- and examination mark (i.e. final mark) of 45% (minimum)
to 49% (maximum), AND obtain an examination mark of at least 30%, OR

ii an average semester- and examination mark (i.e. final mark) of at least 50%
AND obtain an examination mark less than 40%.

8. POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Prerequisite for STSM1624: Please note that STSM1614 (passed with at least 50%) and
MATM1534 (passed with at least 60%) are prerequisites for STSM1624.

Module evaluation: There will be two module evaluations during the semester. You will receive
an email on your university email, inviting you to take part in the evaluation. Please be on the
look out for these emails. You are welcome to give valuable feedback during these evaluation
sessions.

ENJOY THE COURSE!

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