BioStatistics PHLT 2211

Course description:

This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of biostatistics. The course will explore the use of statistical methodology in designing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting biological experiments and observations. The will cover descriptive statistics, elements of experimental design, probability, hypothesis testing and statistical inference, analysis of variance, correlation, regression techniques, and non-parametric statistical methods. Graphical and tabular displays, Simple inferential statistics involving probability, sampling, confidence intervals and tests of significance are presented. Concepts and rational for various methods are emphasized with use of computer statistical software (such as Excel, SPSS) for graphs and calculations.

Course Aims:

The aim of the course is to introduce the basic statistical concepts and methods commonly used in pharmacy, medical and public health studies.

Course outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:  
  • Describe the key features of health and nutritional data.
  • Present the data graphically and numerically.
  • Calculate and interpret mean, median, mode, ranges, variance, standard deviation and confidence intervals.
  • Prepare and apply tables, graphs and charts such as histograms, scatter diagrams, pie chart and box plot.
  • Perform statistical inference such as confidence intervals and tests of significance.
  • Describe basic principles and the practical importance of key concepts from probability and inference, inductive versus deductive reasoning, including random variation, systematic error, sampling error, measurement error, hypothesis testing, type I and type II errors, and confidence bounds.
  • Make use of computer statistical software to carry out all the calculations.
  • Use of SPSS.