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Itä-Suomen Yliopisto

Joensuu, Kuopio

Data and Error Analysis in Natural Sciences, fall 2026

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

This course covers uncertainties in measurement, the propagation of errors, basic statistical definitions and probability distributions, confidence intervals and statistical significance, and least-squares fitting. Matlab is used throughout the course to simulate and demonstrate basic concepts and methods.

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 18.9. to 20.11. (see the schedule here), and at the end of the, an offline exam (2 h) in Joensuu (20.11.). 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; or 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

How to register for Open University Studies 

1. Choose your studies 

Go to the registration service using the button on this page. You will see information about the course, which you can review before registering. Add the course to your study cart. You can also add other courses to the cart before proceeding. 

2. Identify yourself and pay 

Log in via the Suomi.fi service, fill in your personal details on the registration form, and confirm your registration. Pay for the studies at the time of registration. 

Registration is binding. Please read the Open University payment and cancellation terms before registering. 

If you cannot identify yourself via the Suomi.fi service but are able to pay using one of the following methods: Google Pay or Apple Pay, Visa or MasterCard, please register in the online service (choose ‘Skip identification’). Otherwise, contact the student affairs secretary (contact details below). Be prepared to verify your identity with an official ID after registration. 

If your employer is paying the course fee and you do not have access to a company credit card, contact the student affairs secretary before registering. You can find the contact details at the bottom of the page. 

Studies paid with a study voucher: the voucher must be activated in the Opin.fi service before registration and payment. 

3. Wait for confirmation and start your studies 

Processing the registration usually takes 2–5 business days, and at most 10 business days. After processing, you will receive an email with a link to the instructions for starting your studies. Please read the instructions carefully. 

UEF username 

  • If you are studying at the University of Eastern Finland for the first time, you will receive separate instructions on how to activate your UEF username. 
  • If you already have a UEF username, change your password. 

Your username will receive the necessary access rights once your study right begins. 

Didn’t receive the message? Check your email’s spam folder. If the message is not there, contact the Open University. 

Registration starts:
2026-08-05 09:00
Registration ends:
2026-09-11 23:59
Registration

More information about education

Profile picture: Olli Toivanen

Toivanen, Olli

Continuous Learning Specialist

Centre for Continuous Learning

+358505360052

Tengvall, Kristiina

Student Affairs Secretary

Centre for Continuous Learning

+358504082313