History and Theory of Statistics

4 units · Undergraduate upper division (100-199)

Lecture, three hours. Enforced requisite: course 100B. History of statistical methodology and its role within scientific community. Philosophical tenets of statistics; use of concept of probability as transparent and relatively objective means of evaluating empirical observations. Theory of statistical hypothesis generation and hypothesis testing. Designed to provide understanding and perspectives on role of statistics in modern science, theory of statistics, and its strengths and weaknesses. Concurrently scheduled with course C245. P/NP or letter grading.