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MA50247: Bayesian and large scale methods

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mathematical Sciences
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 40%, EX 50%, OR 10%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 40%)
  • Examination (EX 50%)
  • Oral coursework presentation (OR 10%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Mandatory extra work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take MA40198
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To introduce methods for large scale Bayesian stochastic modelling and statistical inference, including theoretical concepts as well as computational techniques.
To develop independent problem solving skills.

Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to: formulate structured large scale Bayesian models; generate random samples efficiently from such models; analyse the structure of a Bayesian model in order to design a computational method for numerical inference; interpret and analyse the output of a Bayesian simulation or direct calculation algorithm.
To communicate: problem descriptions; model formulation; and inferences.

Skills:
Problem solving (T,F&A), computing (T,F&A), written and oral presentation (F&A).

Content:
Bayesian modelling, inference and prediction.
Bayesian model assessment.
Large models and computational methods utilising sparsity and Markov properties.
Directed (hierarchical) and undirected graph models.
Designing efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) samplers.
MCMC output diagnostics.
Numerical techniques for direct, non-sampling Bayesian methods.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MA50247 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Mathematical Sciences
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.