Knowledge of statistical distributions used in the field of measurement and quality. Knowledge of the techniques of analysis of experimental data: regression, hypothesis testing, ANOVA, exclusion principles. Knowledge of the main metrological characteristics of measuring instruments: resolution, stability, repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy, the traceability chain. Knowledge of methods for evaluation of measurement uncertainty in accordance with national and international standards. Knowledge of major national and international standards in the field of metrology. Knowledge of the main operating principle of measuring instruments used in mechanics. Ability to set measurement activities by choosing the appropriate measuring instruments. Ability to perform the calibration of measuring instruments. Ability to detect systematic errors in the measurements. Ability to present the results of measurements and tests as specified in international standards. Ability to analysis of experimental results using statistical techniques (regression, ANOVA).

Concepts of Mathematics (calculation of derivatives, etc.), Concepts of Physics (knowledge of the main physical properties, units, etc.), and good practice in use of spreadsheets.

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN MEASUREMENT RESULTS Guidelines on conformance with tolerances, management of measurement and test activities according to quality rules. QUALITY MANAGEMENT OF MEASUREMENT AND TESTING Main principles of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017, dissemination of the International System of Units (SI). CHARACTERISTICS OF MEASURING INSTRUMENTS Resolution, stability, repeatability, reproducibility, bias, uncertainty, random errors, systematic errors and measurement accidents. NOTES ON PROBABILITY The classic and frequentist concepts of probability, combinatorial analysis, compound and conditional probabilities. NOTES ON STATISTICS Statistical distributions and relevant parameters, discrete distributions (binomial, hypergeometric and Poisson distributions), continuous distributions (normal, Student, Pearson and Fisher distributions), confidence intervals, risk of error (first and second kind). STATISTICAL MANAGEMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL DATA Description of experimental data, exclusion principles, frequency distributions, test of the χ² and Normal Probability Plot (NPP). THE LINEAR REGRESSION Least squares method, evaluation of the model goodness. IDENTIFICATION OF SYSTEMATIC FACTORS The use of hypothesis tests, introduction to the analysis of variance (ANOVA). UNCERTAINTY OF TYPE B Evaluation of some uncertainty causes, the equivalent variance (uniform, arcsine and triangular distributions). THE COMBINED UNCERTAINTY Composition of the uncertainty contributions, the table of the uncertainty budget. THE EXPANDED UNCERTAINTY The evaluation of degrees of freedom, practical applications and PUMA method. ELEMENTS OF MECHANICAL MEASUREMENTS The length measurements (temperature and force effects, interactions between measurement surfaces and measurand), the mass measurements (effects of air density and gravity acceleration), the pressure measurements (basic concepts and devices based on weight force), the hardness measurements (test methods and related issues).

The theoretical lessons on "Applications of Probability and Statistics", "Analysis of experimental data" and "Evaluation of measurement uncertainty" are followed by practical lessons in which the presented concepts are directly applied by the students to real problems.

The reference textbook for the parts on "Applications of Probability and Statistics", "Analysis of experimental data" and "Evaluation of measurement uncertainty" is: G. Barbato, A. Germak, G. Genta, "Measurements for Decision Making", Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna, 2013. For the part on "Elements of mechanical measurements", some slides will be distributed to the students.

Lecture slides; Exercises; Lab exercises; Self-assessment tools;

Exam: Computer lab-based test;

The exam consists of a written computer lab-based test using the Exam platform. The test is subdivided into four parts: "Applications of Probability and Statistics" (8 points), "Analysis of experimental data" (8 points), "Evaluation of measurement uncertainty" (12 points) and "Elements of mechanical measurements" (5 points). Overall score ranges up to 33 points. The minimum passing grade of 18 out of 30 is assigned with 18 points out of 33. Maximum grade is 30 cum laude, assigned with a score larger than 30.5 points out of 33. For the first three parts ("Applications of Probability and Statistics", "Analysis of experimental data", "Evaluation of measurement uncertainty"), the students have to solve exercises similar to those carried out during the practical lessons. Instead, the part on "Elements of mechanical measurements" consists of a series of multiple-choice questions (true/false). The time available for the exam is, indicatively, 2 hours. During the examination, the students have available some files of the practical lessons carried out during the course, further, it can be used the reference textbook of the course, but not notes or other material of any kind.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.