620-152 Introduction to Biomedical Statistics

This subject is only available to Bachelor of Biomedical Science students.

Students may only gain credit for one of 620-152 and 620-160.

Students who gain credit for 620-152 can progress to 620-270 Applied Statistics.

Students who have completed 620-131, 620-202, 620-270 or 620-272 may not enrol in this subject for credit.

VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4.

This subject lays the foundations for an understanding of the fundamental concepts of probability and statistics, as they relate to the biomedical sciences. Students completing this subject will develop skills in data analysis, probability, basic statistical inference and some of the statistical techniques commonly used in the biomedical sciences. They will also learn about the importance of good study design in scientific and medical research.

Topics include scientific method and experimental design, including randomisation and blocking; rates and standardisation; life tables; probability in medicine and biology, especially genetics; Bayes' theorem; Poisson distribution; types of epidemiological study: randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, longitudinal studies, case-control studies; guidelines for supporting an argument for cause and effect based on observational data; data description and analysis; random sampling; population parameters and sample statistics; estimation, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing based on the binomial and normal distributions; and introduction to bivariate data, including correlation and linear regression.

Up to 36 pages of written assignments due during the semester (15%); computer-based tests during computer laboratory classes (5%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (80%).