Data-Based Critical Thinking
UndergraduateLTU-STA1DCT2025
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Enrol by
- 16 Nov 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 3 Mar 2025,
- 24 Nov 2025
- Price from
- $578
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Data-Based Critical Thinking
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critique data-based conclusions that are reported in the media and similar outlets.
- Interpret/derive simple numeric and graphical statistical summary measures of data.
- Calculate probabilities in a variety of scenarios that may be used for informed decision making.
- Identify and discuss common misconceptions of probability that can lead to poor decisions.
- Gathering Useful Data
- Turning Data into Useful Information
- Uncertainty and Probability
- From Data to Decision
This subject helps the student evaluate data-based evidence encountered in everyday life. It provides the fundamental numeracy skills required by business people, scientists, lawyers, nurses, journalists, social scientists, teachers and other professionals who need to evaluate data-based arguments, whether found in newspapers, television or on-line websites. This is achieved by a combination of studying newsworthy topics introduced in lectures, laboratory classes which encourage engagement with others and on-line quizzes that assess numeracy skills. The four themes covered in this subject are gathering useful data, turning data into information, probability and from data to decision making.
- 2-hour end of semester final examination (2,000-words equivalent) (60%)
- Five Assignments (1,500-words equivalent total) (30%)
- Online numeracy skills quizzes - 7 online quizzes (500-words equivalent) Untimed with opportunity to re-do as needed, all quizzes open all semester. (10%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 15
Entry requirements
Others
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed STA2DCT (Data-Based Critical Thinking) or MAT2DMX (Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Student feedback
17 student respondents between 15 Feb - 16 June 2025.
82%of students felt the study load was manageable
82%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
Information Technology Open Degree Pathway
UndergraduateLAT-ICT-PTH
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DIP
UndergraduateLAT-CRM-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DIP
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