STK4090 – Statistical large-sample theory

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

Important parts of statistical theory and its applications build on approximations to the most relevant distributions, and these approximations are valid when the sample size is large. This course deals with the machinery of such large-sample approximations, including the basics of probability theory; the laws of large numbers; convergence in probability and in distribution; characteristic functions; central limit theorems. There will be applications to studying maximum likelihood and Bayes procedures. The course also involves limit and approximation theorems for classes of empirical processes. The theory is being illustrated by statistical applications.

Learning outcome

By completing the course, you will

  • know how to construct approximations to the distributions of important classes of estimators and test statistics
  • be able to build confidence intervals and confidence curves based on such approximations
  • have learned basic limit theorems and techniques associated with limiting normality and associated distributions
  • have understood classes of empirical processes and their limits, involving Brownian motion
  • have worked with non-trivial statistical applications of the general large-sample theory.

Admission to the course

Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

4 hours of lectures/exercises per week throughout the semester.

The course may be taught in Norwegian if the lecturer and all students at the first lecture agree to it.

Upon the attendance of three or fewer students, the lecturer may, in conjunction with the Head of Teaching, change the course to self-study with supervision.

Examination

Final written exam or final oral exam, which counts 100 % towards the final grade.

The form of examination will be announced by the teaching staff by 1 October/1 March for the autumn semester and the spring semester respectively.

It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: STK9090 – Statistical large-sample theory

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

Courses taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English. You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 14, 2026 8:44:25 PM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring and autumn
Taught according to demand and resources. Contact studieinfo@math.uio.no if you are interested in this course.
Examination
Spring
Teaching language
English