Syllabus

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Download hardcopy of 2015 syllabus here (pdf, 9 pp)


Instructor:

Instructor: Carol Bigelow, PhD
School of Public Health
402 Arnold House
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
tel: 413/545-1319
email: cbigelow@schoolph.umass.edu

There is NO required Text:
Instead, we have permission to use two open learning resource sites:

1. University of Florida Health. Biostatistics Open Learning Textbook (http://bolt.mph.ufl.edu)
2. Carnegie Mellon University Open Learning Initiative Course, Statistical Reasoning (Open & Free)


Other Text Resources (NOT required):

(1) This is the text I have used in past years.
Rosner, Bernard
Fundamentals of Biostatistics, Seventh Edition
Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning
2011
ISBN-13: 978-0-538-73349-6

(2) This is a very reader friendly resource. Very basic. Good of you are dreading this course
Triola MM and Triola MF
Biostatistics for the Biological and Health Sciences
Pearson Addison Wesley
2006
ISBN 0-321-19436-5

(3) A wonderful introductory book that emphasizes understanding and literacy and with minimal use of equations and mathematical notation

Motulsky H
Intuitive Biostatistics
Oxford University Press
1995
ISBN 0-19-508607-4 (Soft cover)



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Statistical Software:

Use of statistical software is not required for this course and will not be required for any of the examinations.

However, I anticipate that many of you will want an introduction to the use of statisitical softwared. Therefore, I will be providing illustrations of the use of Stata version 14. If you are interested in giving this a try (and, again - this is optional!), you may purchase it at discount by following the instructions on the pp 2-4 of the pdf of this syllabus (click here)

Course Description

This course is the first of a two semester sequence: BIOSTATS 540 - Introductory Biostatistics and BIOSTATS 640 - Intermediate Biostatistics. Minimal mathematical background is required. Familiarity with algebra is generally sufficient. The goal of BIOSTATS 540 is basic statistical literacy. It begins with a discussion of the ideas of variability in nature and the tools we use for its description. The distinctions between systematic versus chance variability are detailed. Concepts in simple random sampling and sampling distributions are introduced. Within this framework, you will learn selected methods of data description, estimation and hypothesis testing.

Topics include: graphical and numerical description, random sampling and selected probability models (the Bernoulli, binomial, and normal), sampling distributions, confidence interval estimation, and the basics of statistical hypothesis testing. If time permits, there will also be an introduction to simple linear regression and correlation.

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Course Objectives and Outcome Competencies

Course Objectives: By the end of this course, you should be able to perform, interpret, and communicate the findings of selected simple statistical analyses of biological and health data, including description, confidence interval estimation and hypothesis testing.

 

Outcome Competencies:

The specific outcome competencies include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Describe the roles biostatistics serves in the discipline of public health.

2. Distinguish among the different measurement scales and the implications for selection of statistical methods to be used based on these distinctions.

3. Apply descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public health data..

4. Describe basic concepts of probability, random variation and commonly used probability distributions.

5. Apply common statistical methods for inference.

6. Describe preferred methodological alternatives to commonly used statistical methods when assumptions are violated.

7. Select and perform the appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods for selected basic study design settings.

8. Interpret the results of statistical analyses found in selected, basic, public health studies; and

9. Apply basic informatics techniques with vital statistics and public health records in the description of public health characteristics.

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Office Hours:
This class has two sections, online and in-class.
Online section: Email your question to cbigelow@schoolph.umass.edu. Or telephone me at 413-545-1319 (Except Mondays)
Worcester, in-class, section: Mondays 4:00 - 5:00 UMass/Medical School Cafeteria.

This course has 9 units
1. Summarizing Data
2. Introduction to Probability
3. Populations and Samples
4. The Bernoulli and Binomial Distributions
5. The Normal Distribution
6. Estimation
7. Hypothesis Testing
8. Chi Square Tests
9. Regression and Correlation

              

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Grading Policy:

HOMEWORKS: 10 of 14 homeworks are required for full credit. I post solutions with the homework questions! Thus, your homework grade is based on a timely submission of your attempt to answer these questions.

EXAMS: All 4 exams are required. Each exam is a one or two week "take home" exam, open book. You are allowed to used whatever resources you like. But you are NOT allowed to consult with any person except the course instructor.

NOTE:
There is NO TEST of Units 8 or 9.

Policy on Due Dates

I appreciate that we all have busy schedules and that, sometimes, deadlines are difficult to meet. Therefore, I have developed the following policy on late submissions. I will accept late submissions up to one week. Please be aware, however, that in considerationof your classmates, a late submission carries a 20 point penalty. Thus, if you know you cannot meet a due date, your best bet is to use the full week grace time!

On Time	Full Credit for points scored
1-7 Days Late	Points scored - 20 points
8+ Days Late	0 points (no credit)

 

Policy on Dates of Postings

I am sorry but I do NOT post course materials ahead of schedule.


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Letter Grade Determination:

A	95 and over
A -	90 - 94
B +	87-89
B	83-86
B -	80-82
C +	77-79
C	70-76
F	Below 70

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For PHP Online Students - Policy on GPA and Course Repeat:
All students must maintain a 3.0 GPA during their time as students in the program.  In addition, all studens must receive a final grade of “B –“ or better in each of the following courses:

BIOSTATS 540 – Intrroductory  Biostatistics
EHS 565 – Environmental Health Practices
COM-HLTH 601 – Applications of Social and Behavioral Theory
HPP 620 – Introduction to the US Health Care System
EPI 630 – Principles of Epidemiology
HPP 624 – Research Methods

If a student fails to receive a B- or better in these courses, they will have to repeat the course.

If a student’s overall GPA falls below the 3.0 level, the student will be subject to academic measures pursuant to Section I.4 of the Graduate Student Handbook, including academic probation and/or academic dismissal.

Important Dates to Remember

• First Week of Class:
September 7-11, 2015
First Worcester Section Face-to-Face Class: Monday September 14, 2015

• Last Day to Drop with no record - Monday September 21, 2015

• Holiday, Columbus Day - Monday October 12, 2015 (NO CLASS)
• Make up of Columbus Day Class (Worcester In-class section only) - Tuesday October 13, 2015

• Last Day to Drop with “DR”- Tuesday October 19, 2015

• Last Week of Class
December 7-11, 2015
Last Worcester Section Face-to-Face Class: Monday December 7, 2015

• Examination IV (Units 6&7) Due - Friday December 11, 2015

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Schedule of Posting of Course Notes

 

 

 

Schedule of Assignments and Exams (Again - There is no exam of Units 8 & 9)

 

 

 

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ADA Accommodation Policy
Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact me as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements.

Carol Bigelow, PhD
tel: 413/545-1319
fax: 413/545-1645
email: cbigelow@schoolph.umass.edu

Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
The University of Massachusetts/Amherst Senate Document 89-026 defines academic dishonesty as including but not limited to:

a) Cheating – intentional deceit, trickery, or breach of confidence, used to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage in one’s academic work.
b) Fabrication – intentional falsification or invention of any information or citation in any academic exercise.
c) Facilitating dishonesty – knowingly helping or attempting to help someone else commit an act of academic dishonesty.
d) Plagiarism – knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own work in any academic exercise.
e) Submitting in whole or in part, without citation, prewritten term papers of another or the research of another (including but not limited to such materials sold or distributed commercially).

 

Visit the University of Massachusetts Website
Policy on Academic Dishonesty.

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