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Data and Error Analysis in Natural Sciences

Open university
smart for good
Credits:
2 ECTS credits
Location:
-
Continuous learning category:
Environmental and natural sciences
Teaching format:
Online teaching, Distance teaching
Price:
40 € (VAT 0%)
Jatkuva oppiminen verkkosivut

Uncertainties in measurements, propagation of errors, basic statistical definitions, probability distributions, confidence intervals and statistical significance, least-squares fitting.

After completing the course, you understand the basic concepts of the error analysis and can apply them in scientific work and reporting using Matlab.

Modes of study: Scheduled online lectures (20 h) and online exercises (7 h) in Teams, from 19.9. to 14.11. (see the schedule here), and at the end of the, an offline exam (2 h) in Joensuu (21.11.). Matlab is used throughout the course to simulate and demonstrate basic concepts and methods, and you are provided a student license to use it for the duration of the course.

Study materials: Lecture notes; the course covers the equivalent of J. R. Taylor, An Introduction to Error Analysis, 2nd edition, chapters 1-6, 8-9 and 11; P. R. Bevington and D. K. Robinson, Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences, 3rd edition, chapters 1-4 and 6-7; R. J. Barlow, Statistics: A Guide to the Use of Statistical Methods in the Physical Sciences, chapters 1-8.

After completing this course you can continue to Data Analysis Practice (2 ECTS credits), which expands on the subjects covered here, and is studied online on your own schedule from October to March. To register for Data Analysis Practice, please connect our training secretary; their contact details are below.

Students of natural and other sciences with a need for error analysis tools and a better understanding of their data. (Admittedly, the examples used will be from physics.)

Open university courses cost 20€ / ECTS credit. 

For more information on study fees and payment and cancellation terms, please see: Registration, study fees and right to study | University of Eastern Finland (uef.fi). Study right will cover the lessons and exams.

Fees for purchasing/lending literature are not covered by the University.

If you can’t identify yourself using the Suomi.fi service, please contact our training secretary; their contact information is below.

Day time teaching
English

Register for studies

I Click the registration button on this page. You will be directed to our registration service with the study unit already selected. You can add several study units to your study cart before you continue. 

II Proceed to identify yourself using the Suomi.fi service, fill in your personal information to the registration form, confirm your registration and pay the study fees. If you cannot use the Suomi.fi service, please contact our training secretary, their information can be found below. 

Please note that the registration is binding. For more information on study fees and payment and cancellation terms, please see: Registration, study fees and right to study | University of Eastern Finland (uef.fi)

III Your registration will typically be processed in 2-5 working days. During peak registration periods, this may take up to 10 days. After this period, you will get an automatic message which includes a link to the starting instructions. Please read and follow the instructions carefully.  

 

If you have not studied at UEF before, you will also receive instructions for activating a UEF username. If you already have a UEF username, change the password to your account. 

 

Your username will receive full access rights when your study right begins.  

 

If you can’t find these messages, remember to check your email’s trash folder, and contact the open university staff if needed. 

 

If your employer will pay your tuition fee, please contact our training secretary. Their contact information can be found below.

Registration starts:
2025-08-06 09:00
Registration ends:
2025-09-12 23:59