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ST308      Half Unit
Bayesian Inference

This information is for the 2023/24 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Konstantinos Kalogeropoulos COL.610

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Actuarial Science, BSc in Data Science, BSc in Mathematics with Data Science, BSc in Mathematics with Economics and BSc in Mathematics, Statistics and Business. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed one of the following two combinations of courses: (a) ST102 and MA100, or (b) MA107 and ST109 and EC1C1. Equivalent combinations may be accepted at the lecturer’s discretion. ST202 is also recommended.

Previous programming experience is not required  but students who have no previous experience in R must complete an online pre-sessional R course from the Digital Skills Lab before the start of the course (https://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=7745)

Course content

Statistical decision theory: risk, decision rules, loss and utility functions, Bayesian expected loss, Frequentist risk.

Bayesian Inference: Bayes theorem, prior, posterior and predictive distributions, conjugate models (Normal-Normal, Poisson-Gamma, Beta-Binomial), Bayesian point estimation, credible intervals and hypothesis testing, Bayes factors and model selection. Comparison with Frequentist approaches.

Implementation: Asymptotic approximations (Laplace approximation, Monte Carlo methods), Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation (Gibbs sampler, Metropolis-Hastings algorithm). Computer tools (R).

Applications: Linear models in Regression and Classification (Bayesian Linear Regression, Generalized Linear Models, Logistic Regression), Hierarchical/ Multilevel Models, Bayesian Nonparametrics.

Teaching

This course will be delivered through a combination of classes, lectures, and Q&A sessions, totalling a minimum of 29 hours across the Winter Term. 

Formative coursework

Optional problem sets and computer exercises.

Indicative reading

J.K. Kruschke, Doing Bayesian Data Analysis. An tutorial with R, JAGS and Stan. 2nd edition.

J.O. Berger, Statistical Decision Theory and Bayesian Analysis.

D. Gamerman, H. F. Lopes, Markov Chain Monte Carlo: Stochastic Simulation for Bayesian Inference

A. Gelman, Bayesian data analysis.

Assessment

Exam (80%, duration: 2 hours) in the spring exam period.
Project (20%) in the ST.

Key facts

Department: Statistics

Total students 2022/23: 64

Average class size 2022/23: 21

Capped 2022/23: Yes (75)

Lecture capture used 2022/23: Yes (LT)

Value: Half Unit

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills