Course Catalogue

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This course provides an appreciation of the application of statistical methods and concepts to problems in Environmental Science. It also provides an introduction to the statistical aspects of environmental policy, regulation and management.

Lectures: 2 hours per week (At times to be arranged)

Tutorials: fortnightly (at times to be arranged)

Practical: 2, two hour data-analysis sessions

The normal requirement is that students should have been admitted to a Master's-level programme in Statistics.

STATS4009 Environmental Statistics

Courses prescribed in the Master's programme to which the student has been admitted.

Examination 75%

Coursework 25%

to provide an appreciation of the application of statistical methods and concepts to problems in Environmental Science.

to provide an introduction to the statistical aspects of environmental policy, regulation and management

Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

■ describe the variability in environmental sampling and monitoring results

■ communicate uncertainties

■ explain the statistical basis of directives, legislation and compliance testing

■ design sampling and monitoring schemes and evaluate their efficiencies

■ analyse the state of the environment and to report on evidence of change

■ estimate and interpret trends in space and time and their significance

■ model spatial and temporal correlations

■ read and critically appraise official policy and directive documents (the technical aspects thereof)

Skills and Other Attributes

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ critically review the evidence for and against environmental statements as seen in the popular and scientific press

■ understand and explain environmental regulation and policies

■ understand and communicate scientific uncertainty

interpret environmental change in space and time.

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