Theory sessions consist of lectures in which the instructor presents the course content. Students are expected to adopt a positive and proactive attitude towards learning.

During problem-solving sessions, the instructor will work through exercises selected from problem sets that will have been made available to students in advance. Students are strongly encouraged to attempt the exercises independently before attending the corresponding class.

Practical sessions will take place in computer labs and will be highly interactive. Students will solve problems and complete practical assignments using the R software environment. These sessions are designed to put into practice the concepts covered in the theory and problem-solving classes by addressing real-world situations, where students will be required to develop appropriate models to analyse different phenomena and draw meaningful conclusions.

Tutorial sessions provide students with the opportunity to clarify doubts and receive guidance from the instructor. They are intended to support the directed learning activities. Students are strongly encouraged to make regular use of these sessions in order to assimilate the course material progressively and at an appropriate pace, rather than postponing questions or difficulties until later.

A gender perspective in teaching extends beyond course content and also involves reviewing teaching methodologies and the interactions between students and instructors, both inside and outside the classroom. In this regard, participatory teaching methods that foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment, reduce hierarchical dynamics in the classroom, avoid gender stereotypes and sexist language, and promote critical thinking together with respect for diversity and plurality of ideas, people, and situations, tend to encourage the integration and full participation of all students. Accordingly, these principles will be actively implemented throughout this course.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Continuous Assessment

To pass the course, students must obtain a grade of at least 4.0 in both the midterm exam and the final exam. In addition, the practical exam grade must also be at least 4.0.

The final grade (FG) is calculated as follows:

FG = 0.2 × P + 0.8 × CG

where P is the practical exam grade and CG is the course grade, computed as the weighted average (out of 10 points) of the midterm and final exams. To pass the course, the final grade FG must be at least 5.0.

To be eligible for the resit examination, students must have obtained a final grade FG of at least 3.0. In addition, they must have previously been assessed through a set of activities accounting for at least two-thirds of the total course grade.

If a student takes the resit examination, the final grade is calculated as follows. The resit examination replaces the course grade (CG). The practical grade is not recoverable but is still taken into account when calculating the final grade.

Let:

• R: resit examination grade.
• FCG: final course grade.

The final course grade is calculated as:

FCG = 0.3 × CG + 0.7 × R

Note that FCG depends both on the resit examination grade and on the original course grade (CG).

The final grade is then computed as:

FG = 0.2 × P + 0.8 × FCG

Not Assessed

A student will be considered Not Assessed if they have completed assessment activities accounting for less than 50% of the final course grade.

Single Assessment

The single assessment consists of two examinations, covering the same syllabus as the midterm and final examinations of the continuous assessment, together with a practical examination. To pass the course, students must satisfy the same requirements as under the continuous assessment system. The final grade is calculated in the same way as for continuous assessment.

The same resit policy applies as in the continuous assessment system, and the final course grade after the resit examination will be calculated as described above. The same criterion for the Not Assessed status also applies.

Honors Distinctions

Honors distinctions will be awarded on the basis of the final grade obtained before the resit examination.

Use of AI

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted at any stage of this course. Any work that includes AI-generated content will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalty to the activity's grade, or more severe disciplinary sanctions in cases of greater seriousness.

Irregularities in Assessment Activities

Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (including academic fraud, plagiarism, or the improper use of AI) that may lead to a significant alteration of the student's grade will result in that assessment being graded as 0. If the course syllabus establishes that obtaining a minimum grade in that assessment is a mandatory requirement for passing the course, or if multiple irregularities are committed in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who commits any of these irregularities.