Introduction to Statistics

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts and techniques of statistics used across science, business, and technology. Statistics offers a structured way to collect, analyze, and interpret data, enabling you to make informed decisions based on evidence rather than intuition.

You will develop strong statistical thinking skills through practical problem solving and real-world examples. The course emphasizes understanding data, interpreting results, and drawing meaningful conclusions from numerical information. It also establishes the mathematical foundation needed for advanced studies in machine learning, data mining, and analytics.

Course Highlights

• Descriptive statistics and data visualization
• Basic probability and probability distributions
• Sampling distributions and confidence intervals
• One-sample and two-sample hypothesis testing
• Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
• Categorical data analysis
• Correlation and regression analysis
• Interpreting and communicating statistical results

Course Benefits

• Build a strong foundation in statistical concepts and methods
• Develop critical thinking and data interpretation skills
• Learn how to analyze real-world data and draw valid conclusions
• Strengthen preparation for data science, machine learning, and research fields
• Gain confidence working with numbers and statistical reports

• Organizing, summarizing, and presenting data
• Describing relationships between two variables
• Working with sample data to make inferences about a larger population
• Applying statistical methods to real-world scenarios

Transferring UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Credit

Credit earned in Extended Studies courses may lead to the award of a formal certificate by UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies or be applied toward an academic degree or professional credential, subject to the approval of the receiving institution(s).

Course Details and Next Steps

• Course typically offered: Online, quarterly
• Software: Students will need access to Excel or similar spreadsheet software to complete the course assignments.
• Prerequisites: None
• Next steps:  Upon completion, consider additional coursework in our specialized certificate in Machine Learning Methods to continue learning.
• More Information: For more information about this course, please contact unex-techdata@ucsd.edu