2022-2023 / MATH2022-1

Monte Carlo methods in statistics

General course

Project complement

Duration

General course : 24h Th, 12h Pr, 10h Proj.
Project complement : 30h Proj.

Number of credits

 Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science and Engineering5 crédits 

Lecturer

General course : Arnout Van Messem
Project complement : Arnout Van Messem

Coordinator

Arnout Van Messem

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

General course

The course covers (a selection of) the following topics:

1 Introduction

2 Models and challenges

3 Generating random variables

4 Generating random processes 

5 Monte Carlo Integration and Optimization 

6 Markov Chain Monte Carlo

7 Statistical analysis of simulation data 

8 Variance reduction

 

Project complement

See course sheet of MATH2022-A-b

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, I.3, II.1, IV.4, VI.1, VII.2, VII.4 of the MSc in data science and engineering.

 

General course

A good understanding of the problematics related to simulation and sampling.

 

Project complement

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Prerequisite knowledge and skills

General course

To follow this course it is mandatory to have solid foundations in

  • probability theory (probability measure, probability distributions both uni and multi-variate, CLT, Law of large numbers, ...)
  • parametric statistics (likelihood, fisher information, statistical tests, confidence intervals, ...)
Working knowledge of Markov chains and processes is an asset.

 

Reference for the basics :

Casella, George, and Roger L. Berger. Statistical inference. Vol. 2. Pacific Grove, CA: Duxbury, 2002.

 

Project complement

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Planned learning activities and teaching methods

General course

The course is offered through online videos which the student can watch at his/her own pace. It consists of theory sessions as well as practical sessions (both written and on computer). Q&A sessions will be organized regularly.

 

Project complement

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Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

General course

Blended learning


Additional information:

Classes will be given through online videos.


Q&A sessions will be organized regularly. Details will be given on the eCampus platform.


 

 

 

 

Project complement

Blended learning


Additional information:

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Recommended or required readings

General course

All information (course notes, project and exercise sheets, videos) will be made available through platform. 


References

Kroese, Dirk P., Thomas Taimre, and Zdravko I. Botev. Handbook of Monte Carlo Methods. Vol. 706. John Wiley & Sons, 2013.

Robert, Christian, and George Casella. Monte Carlo Statistical Methods. Springer Science & Business Media, 2013.

Robert, Christian P., George Casella, and George Casella. Introducing monte carlo methods with R. Vol. 18. New York: Springer, 2010.

 

 

Project complement

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General course

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Additional information:

The evaluation of the course happens through the completion of an individual project.

If desired, an oral continuation of the exam is possible. The oral examination can change the final grade up to 2 points, either positive or negative. The oral continuation will consist of one theoretical question and one question/clarification on the completed project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project complement

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Additional information:

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Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

General course

Professeur: Arnout Van Messem

 

Project complement

Professeur: Arnout Van Messem

 

Association of one or more MOOCs