Biostatistics provides an introduction to selected topics in statistics as they apply to biological and health issues. In discussing different forms of biological/medical/health data and the tools used to analyze them, students learn how to describe the central tendency and variation in data. They also unpack the relationship between sample statistics and population values (i.e. inference) and are introduced to concepts such as hypothesis testing, power analysis, study design, and sampling approaches.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Select from, use and interpret results of, descriptive statistical methods effectively.
2. Select from, use, and interpret results of, the principal methods of statistical inference and design.
3.  Communicate the results of statistical analyses accurately and effectively.
4. Recognize and give examples of different types of data arising in public health and clinical studies and discuss the ethical use of such data.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Quantitative Measures

Week 2: Unit 2 – Measures of Central Tendency and Variability

Week 3: Unit 3 – Uncertainty in Measurements

Week 4: Unit 4 – Probability Distributions

Week 5: Unit 5 – Sampling and Hypothesis Testing

Week 6: Unit 6 – Comparing Two Means in Dependent and Independent Samples

Week 7: Unit 7 – Comparison of Proportions & Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Week 8: Unit 8 – Correlation and Regression

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Introduction to Quantitative Measures

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: Measures of Central Tendency and Variability

• Peer assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: Uncertainty in Measurements

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 4: Probability Distributions

• Peer assess Unit 3 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: Sampling and Hypothesis Testing

• Peer assess Unit 4 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: Comparing Two Means in Dependent and Independent Samples

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 7: Comparison of Proportions & Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

• Peer assess Unit 6 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Correlation and Regression

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment (Instructor or Non Graded)
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation
• Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam
• Take the Review Quiz

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

• Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz, if you haven’t already done so
• Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
• The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor