This is the first in a two-course sequence that introduces the theory of statistical inference that provides foundations to common biostatistical methods. Topics of the sequence include basic concepts of probability, parametric distributions, exact and asymptotic sampling distribution of statistics, maximum likelihood estimation, unbiased estimating equations, theory of hypothesis testing and Bayesian inference. Prerequisites: either STAT 395, STAT 421, STAT 423, STAT 504 or BIOST 514 (can be taken concurrently). Offered: Autumn