STA 3173 Introduction to Biostatistics Course Syllabus

Prerequisite: Completion of MAC 2233 Methods of Calculus with a grade C or better.

Course Description

This is an introductory course in Biostatistics. It covers the following topics: the probabilistic foundations of statistics and inference; presenting data and statistical tests, and reading graphs; sampling and experimental design; hypothesis testing and statistical analysis of biological data; a variety of statistical tests, including one-sample and two-sample tests, regression and ANOVA techniques, goodness of fit, and non-parametric methods; use of a general statistical software package (Minitab). These topics will provide a foundation for identifying and conducting the appropriate statistical techniques in advanced research settings.

Course Structure

This is an online course with 100% online according to the definition given by Florida Distance Learning Task Force. This course requires students to exercise self-discipline by completing the required assignments on time and without regular reminders. This is NOT a self-paced course and you will need to meet the scheduled deadlines to be successful.

Synchronous Blackboard Collaborate Sessions

Besides the online components, there will be scheduled Synchronous Blackboard Collaborate Sessions. Please see the Course Schedule for all required Blackboard Collaborate sessions.

Instructor Contact Information

Dr. Lianfen Qian, SE 244, Office hours 12:00-1:00PM, (561) 297-2486,

Course Materials

·  Required Textbook: Introductory Biological Statistics, 3rd Edition, by Raymond E. Hampton and John E. Havel, ISBN: 978-1-57766-950-0, Waveland Press, 2014.

·  Reference Textbook: Biostatistics: A Foundation for Analysis in the Health Sciences, 9th Ed., by Wayne W. Daniel, December 2009, ©2009.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, the participants will be able to:

  1. Understand and master the basic statistical concepts.
  2. Identify the differences among the four types of variables.
  3. Master the basic statistical techniques including exploratory data analysis and inferential data analysis.
  4. Identify suitable statistical techniques that are necessary to conduct statistical analysis in biological research.

Grading Policy

0-59%: F, 60-66%: D, 67-72%: C, 73-76%: C+, 77-79%: B-, 80-85%: B, 86-87%: B+, 88-89%: A-, 90-100%: A.

Assessment Policy

·  Quizzes and Exams: There will be three weekly quizzes, two midterm exams, and a final exam. All quizzes and exams should be submitted by the specific time on the due date. The detail due dates are given in the course schedule. Though there is no due date for all assignments, it is very important to complete all assignments before the test day (both quiz and exam)

·  Discussion Board Assignments: There will be three discussion assignments through discussion board.

·  Grading system: The quizzes are accounted for 30% (10% each), the two midterm exams are accounted for 30% (15% each), the final exam is accounted for 25%, and the discussion board assignments are accounted for 15% (5% each) of your final grade.

All assessments must be submitted through the designated method (discussion board, blackboard assignments, etc.) by due date. No assessments will be accepted via email or Messages. Late or incomplete homework will be not accepted. Make-up exams will be under exceptional circumstance. A written and verifiable excuse must be provided before the exam for a make-up exam. To distribute the workload of the instructor, students are encouraged to submit your work as early as possible. Feedback may take up to ten days to be created and disseminated to students.

Communication

All communication should be shared within the course communication tools, except in an emergency. Before you write, please visit the FAQ and answers page to see whether your questions/concerns have been addressed before. If you cannot find answer, then post them to the Questions/Concerns discussion board within the course if your questions are not of a personal or confidential nature. For more personal and confidential matters, it is preferred to utilize the Messages feature for communication purpose. Posts, Messages and emails will generally be responded within 48 hours excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Computer Requirements

·  Operating System: A computer that can run Win XP or higher or Mac OSX

·  Speakers and a microphone, or a headset with microphone, or a webcam with microphone for blackboard collaborate sessions in the communication unit.

·  A backup option should be available to minimize the loss of work. This can be an external hard drive, a USB drive, cloud storage, or your folder on the FAU servers.

·  Make sure your internet browser is compatible and that you have all the recommended plug-ins installed. Test the Blackboard Collaborate before the 1st true session.

·  Software: Minitab package is required. Students can buy the student version for one semester from http://www.Minitab.com.

Technical Problem Resolution Procedure

In the online environment, there is always a possibility of technical issues (e.g., lost connection, hardware or software failure). Many of these can be resolved relatively quickly, but if you wait to the last minute before due dates, the chances of these glitches affecting your success are greatly increased. If a problem occurs, it is essential you take immediate action to document the issue so your instructors can verify and take appropriate action to resolve the problem. Please take the following steps when a problem occurs:

1.  If you can, make a Print Screen of the monitor when the problem occurs. Save the Print Screen as a .jpg file. If you are unfamiliar with creating a Print Screen file, visit http://en.kioskea.net/faq/141-print-screen-screen-capture-windows-mac-os-x-and-unix-linux.

2.  Complete a Help Desk ticket at http://www.fau.edu/helpdesk. Make sure you complete the form entirely and give a full description of your problem so the Help Desk staff will have the pertinent information in order to assist you properly. This includes:

·  Select “Blackboard (Faculty)” for the Ticket Type.

·  Input the Course ID.

·  In the Summary/Additional Details section, include your operating system, Internet browser, and Internet service provider (ISP).

·  Attach the Print Screen file, if available.

3.  Send a message within Blackboard to your instructor to notify him/her of the problem. Include all pertinent information of the incident (2b-d above).

4.  If you do not have access to Blackboard, send an email to your instructor with all pertinent information of the incident (2b-d above).

5.  If you do not have access to a computer, call your instructor with all pertinent information of the incident. If he/she is not available, make sure you leave a detailed message.

6.  If you do not hear back from the Help Desk or your instructor within a timely manner (48 hours), it is your responsibility to follow up with the appropriate person until a resolution is obtained.

Disability Policy

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), students who require special accommodations due to a disability to properly execute coursework must register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) located in Boca Raton-SU 133 (561-297-3880), in Davie-MOD I (954-236-1222), in Jupiter- SR 117 (561-799-8585), or at the Treasure Coast- CO 128 (772-873-3305), and follow all OSD procedures.

Other Policies and Supportive Units

·  Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy

·  Blackboard Support

·  OIT Help Desk

·  Library

·  MLC

·  CLASS