Year
2020
Units
4.5
Contact
2 x 1-hour seminars weekly
1 x 2-hour workshop weekly
3 x 2-hour on-line exercises per semester
2 x .75-hour on-line lectures weekly
Enrolment not permitted
1 of BUSN1009, BUSN1209, STAT1121, STAT1412 has been successfully completed
Topic description
  1. Design of biological experiments: experiments, observational studies, sample surveys; measurements & variables; replication & pseudo-replication
  2. Descriptive statistics: graphical & numerical summaries; the shape of a distribution; data screening & outliers
  3. Exploring relationships: predictor-response data; the least-squares line; residuals & transformations; prediction; the sample correlation coefficient; time series
  4. Probability: basic concepts; conditional probability & independence; random variables, the binomial distribution, the normal distribution
  5. Statistical inference: samples & populations; estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing; inference for normal samples (one-sample); inference for proportion
  6. The application of statistics to biological and health data. Choosing the appropriate statistical technique
Educational aims
This topic is directed towards students with little quantitative experience.

It serves as an introduction to biostatistics as the use of statistical techniques in the biological sciences. Students will learn how to select tools and techniques from statistics to apply to problems in biological and health sciences. It aims to impart an understanding of the key issues in the analysis of statistical data together with practical experience in using a modern statistical package to perform elementary statistical analysis in a biological or health-related field.
Expected learning outcomes
At the completion of this topic, students are expected to be able to:

  1. Gain an understanding of the statistical concepts and techniques presented
  2. Acquire quantitative confidence
  3. Gain an understanding of which statistical techniques are appropriate for different scientific situations