Lancaster University

Educational Aims

The Department's educational aims are:

• To create a teaching and learning environment which supports all students in reaching their full potential in their study of mathematics at BSc level;
• To offer a high-quality teaching and learning programme, informed by staff research, designed to train students in preparation for a wide range of postgraduate education and employment.

The aims of the BSc Statistics programme are:

• To provide students with analytical techniques and problem-solving skills that can be applied in many types of employment, especially those involving logical skills, decision-making in complex circumstances, or advanced skills of numeracy;
• To offer modules of study which, individually and collectively, enable students to appreciate both the theoretical and problem-solving aspects of mathematics;
• To provide students with enough core material, of sufficient depth and variety, in the first two levels of study that they are adequately prepared and informed for subsequent study in either or both of pure mathematics and statistics;
• To provide a programme of study that allows students to specialise in statistics at the third level of study of a BSc;
• To maintain a programme of study that introduces the background of current research in statistics and provides the core supporting pure mathematical skills;
• To produce alumni recognised for the distinctive value of their education on this programme.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

On completing the programme students should have acquired:

A1. An understanding of and competence in the key ideas and techniques, and knowledge of the statement and proof of key results, both within the core areas of real and complex analysis, linear and abstract algebra, and probability and statistics, and in the more advanced topics chosen in the third level of study;

A2. An appreciation of the hierarchical structure of mathematical knowledge;

A3. An understanding of mathematical notation, and an ability to use it correctly and coherently;

A4. An appreciation of the importance of proof, generalization and abstraction in the logical development of formal theories;

A5. An ability both to follow and correctly to construct mathematical proofs of appropriate degrees of complexity;

A6. An understanding of the mathematical and contextual basis of statistics as a science, and an appreciation of the statistical paradigm, linking design and conduct of experiments and observations with data analysis, modelling and inference;

A7. Experience of implementing the statistical paradigm in a range of general applications;

A8. An ability to read and comprehend mathematical literature at an appropriate level;

A9. An ability to use computers and specialist software to investigate and solve practical mathematical problems.

General Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

On completing the programme students should have acquired:

B1. An ability to learn from various styles of presentation of material;

B2. An ability to apply previously-acquired knowledge to new situations, both to gain understanding and to solve problems;

B3. An ability to use information skills to gain access to library and IT resources effectively in researching topics;

B4. An ability to produce documents which accurately and effectively communicate scientific material to the reader;

B5. An ability to make presentations based on prepared material;

B6. An ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a small group;

B7. An ability to work to deadlines, and experience in time management when working to a range of deadlines.