Syllabus

download adober reader

Download hardcopy of 2012 syllabus here (pdf, 11 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

Required Text:

Rosner, Bernard
Fundamentals of Biostatistics, Seventh Edition
Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning
2011
ISBN-13: 978-0-538-73349-6

Note - Please feel welcome to purchase an earlier (cheaper!) edition!

Other Text Resources (NOT required):

(1) For those of you dreading this course
Triola MM and Triola MF
Biostatistics for the Biological and Health Sciences
Pearson Addison Wesley
2006
ISBN 0-321-19436-5

(2) 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)



TOP

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 12. 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: PubHlth 540 - Introductory Biostatistics and PubHlth 640 - Intermediate Biostatistics. Minimal mathematical background is required. Familiarity with algebra is generally sufficient. The goal of PubHlth 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.

TOP

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. The selection and conduct of appropriate statistical analysis – Upon completion of this course, you will have learned the basics of choosing from among the various statistical methods when you want to summarize data, estimate population parameters, or perform a statistical hypothesis test. Specifically, you will have practice in these techniques in the one and two population settings under the assumption of either a normal or binomial population distribution sampling.

2. Integrating analysis strategies in biostatistics with principles and issues in epidemiology – You will have an understanding of the applicability of data description, estimation and hypothesis testing to epidemiology and, specifically, their interpretation with respect to confounding, effect modification, and bias.

3. Evaluation of basic statistical principles in published public health research – At the end of this course, you will have had practice in reading published examples of biostatistics. You will be encouraged to earn your 10% participation grade by selecting a published article from your own particular area of interest and writing a brief summary of its content.

4. Appreciating a conceptual framework that integrates techniques and methods in biostatistics – In this course, two conceptual frameworks are utilized. The first is the perspective that the principles and methods of epidemiologic research are an extension of the scientific method (and the goal of causal inference) to observational studies (and the challenges to causal inference that arise there!). The second conceptual framework is the idea that a statistical hypothesis test is a comparison of “signal” to “noise”.

TOP

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)
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

              

TOP

Grading Policy:

Your course grade will be based on submission of 10 of 14 practice sets and your "examination" scores on 4 of 6 tests, as described below:

	Percent of Course Grade
Practice Sets (10 of 14)	20%
Examination I (Unit 1 Test - required)	20%
Examination II (Choose Unit 2 or Unit 3 Test)	20%
Examination III (Choose Unit 4 or Unit 5 Test)	20%
Examination IV (Units 6 & & Test - required)	20%

NOTE:
(1) UNIT 1 Test is required
(2) You MUST Choose ONE of: (a) UNIT 2 Test OR (b) UNIT 3 Test
(3) You MUST Choose ONE of: (a) UNIT 4 Test OR (b) UNIT 5 Test
(4) UNIT 6&7 Test is required
(5) 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.


TOP

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

TOP

Important Dates to Remember

• First Class:
Online Section: September 3-7, 2012
In-Class Section: Monday September 10, 2012

• Last Day to Drop with no record - Monday September 17, 2012

• Holiday, Columbus Day - Monday October 8, 2012 (NO CLASS)
• Make up of Columbus Day Class (In-class section only) - to be determined

• Last Day to Drop with “DR”- Monday October 15, 2012

• Last Day to Drop with “W”- Thursday October 18, 2012

• Make up of Veterans Day Class (In-class section only) - to be determined


• Last Class
Online Section: December 3-7, 2012
In-class Section: December 3, 2012

• Examination IV (Units 6&7 - required) Due - Friday December 14, 2012

TOP

Schedule of Lectures, Practice Sets, and Examinations

Week	Date	Unit - Lecture	Posting Dates/DUE Dates
Course Opens	August 27 - 31, 2012	Welcome Course Introduction	Posting Monday August 27, (1) Course Introduction
1	September 3-7, 2012	Unit 1 - Summarizing Data	Posting Monday September 3, 2012 (1) UNIT 1 (Summarizing Data) Lecture Notes (2) Practice Set #1 (Unit 1)
2	September 10-14, 2012	Unit 1 - Summarizing Data	Posting Monday September 10, 2012 (1) Practice Set #2 (Unit 1) DUE Monday September 10, 2012 (1) Practice Set #1 (Unit 1)
3	September 17-21, 2012	Unit 2 - Probability	Posting Monday September 17, 2012 (1) UNIT 2 (Probability) Lecture Notes (2) Practice Set #3 (Unit 2) (3) UNIT 1 TEST (REQUIRED) DUE Monday September 17, 2012 (1) Practice Set #2 (Unit 1)
4	September 24-28. 2012	Unit 2 - Probability	Posting Monday September 24, 2012 (1) Practice Set #4 (Unit 2) DUE Monday September 24, 2012 (1) Practice Set #3 (Unit 2)
5	October 1-5, 2012	Unit 3 - Populations & Samples	Posting Monday October 1, 2012 (1) UNIT 3 (Populations & Samples) Lecture Notes (2) Practice Set #5 (Unit 3) (3) UNIT 2 TEST DUE Monday October 1, 2012 (1) UNIT 1 TEST DUE (2) Practice Set #4 (Unit 2)
6	October 8-12, 2012	Unit 4 - Bernoulli & Binomial	Posting Monday October 8, 2012 (1) UNIT 4 (Bernoulli & Binomial) Lecture Notes (2) Practice Set #6 (Unit 4) (3) UNIT 3 TEST DUE Monday October 8, 2012 (1) UNIT 2 TEST DUE (2) Practice Set #5 (Unit 3)
7	October 15-19, 2012	Unit 5 - Normal	Posting Monday October 15, 2012 (1) UNIT 5 (Normal) Lecture Notes (2) Practice Set #7 (Unit 5) (3) UNIT 4 TEST DUE Monday October 15, 2012 (1) UNIT 3 TEST DUE (2) Practice Set #6 (Unit 4)
8	October 22-26, 2012	Unit 5 - Normal	Posting Monday October 22, 2012 (1) Practice Set #8 (Unit 5) DUE Monday October 22, 2012 (1) UNIT 4 TEST DUE (2) Practice Set #7 (Unit 5)
9	October 29 - November 2, 2012	Unit 6 - Estimation	Posting Monday October 29, 2012 (1) UNIT 6 (Estimation) Lecture Notes (2) Practice Set #9 (Unit 6) (3) UNIT 5 TEST DUE Monday October 29, 2012 (1) Practice Set #8 (Unit 5)
10	November 5-9, 2012	Unit 6 - Estimation	Posting Monday November 5, 2012 (1) Practice Set #10 (Unit 6) DUE Monday November 5, 2012 (1) UNIT 5 TEST DUE (2) Practice Set #9 (Unit 6)
11	November 12-16, 2012	Unit 7 - Hypothesis Testing	Posting Monday November 12, 2012 (1) UNIT 7 (Hypothesis Testing) Lecture Notes (2) Practice Set #11 (Unit 7) DUE Monday November 12, 2012 (1) Practice Set #10 (Unit 6)
12	November 19-23, 2012	Unit 7 - Hypothesis Tesing	Posting Monday November 19, 2012 (1) Practice Set #12 (Unit 7) DUE Monday November 19, 2012 (1) Practice Set #11 (Unit 7)
13	November 26-30, 2012	Unit 8 - Chi Square Tests	Posting Monday November 26, 2012 (1) UNIT 8 (Chi Square Tests) Lecture Notes (2) Practice Set #13 (Unit 8) (3) UNIT 6 & 7 TEST (REQUIRED) DUE Monday November 26, 2012 (1) Practice Set #12 (Unit 7)
14	December 3-7, 2012	Unit 9 - Correlation & Regression	Posting Monday December 3, 2012 (1) UNIT 9 (Correlation & Regression) Lecture Notes (2) Practice Set #14 (Unit 9) DUE Monday December 3, 2012 (1) Practice Set #13 (Unit 8)
Course Closeout	December 10-14, 2012	Course Close out	DUE Monday December 10, 2012 (1) Practice #14 (Unit 9) DUE Friday December 14, 2012 (1) UNIT 6 & 7 Test (REQUIRED)

TOP

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.

TOP

||||||