Course  Description:

The purpose of this course is to survey the statistical principles of research design for experimental and observational studies, emphasizing (1) the role of statistics in scientific studies, (2) how to determine which statistical test to use, (3) the underlying assumptions associated with statistical tests, (4) how to interpret results from a statistical analysis, and (4) how to properly conduct a scientific investigation.  Although the course requires no previous knowledge of statistics, it does require a basic knowledge of algebra. 

 

Student Learning Outcomes:

I.    Knowledge Outcomes

a.  Explain the role of statistics in scientific investigations.

b.  Describe assumptions underlying particular statistical methods.

c.  Describe which statistical test to use depending on questions asked or hypothesis tested.

II.  Skill Outcomes

a.  Formulate statistical hypotheses from biological questions.

b.  Design a properly devised experiment to test specific hypotheses.

c.  Properly analyze univariate and multivariate data sets depending on questions asked or hypothesis tested.
      III.  Writing Outcomes

a.  Create a proposal that introduces the reader to the subject and describes the methods to be employed.

b.  Interpret statistical results and relate them back to biological hypothesis.

c.  Create a properly formatted paper in standard scientific forma

 

Class Schedule:
T: 6:00 – 9:0 in room 104 of the Science building

Required Course Materials:

Triola, M. M. and M. F. Triola  2005. Biostatistics for the Biological and Health Sciences.  Addison-Wesley, 699 pps.

 

Attendance:

Attendance in this course is required and will be taken on a daily basis.  Although attendance does not directly factor into course grades, there is strong evidence that suggests class attendance is positively correlated with overall performance in the course. 

 

Grade Determination:

The final course grade will be calculated on the basis of homework assignments (20%), final project (20%), and exams (60%).  No grades will be dropped, and no curves will be given. Course grades will be assigned as follows: A = 90 – 100; B = 80 – 89; C = 70 – 79; D = 60 – 69; F = 0 – 59.

 

Homework:

A significant portion of this course will be devoted to homework assignments.  Homework assignments will come from various handouts.  Students may discuss the problems with each other, but I expect each student to complete each problem on their own.  The purpose of the homework assignments is to familiarize students with basic statistical problems before formal examination.  The assignments must be done by hand with intermediate results well documented, unless specified otherwise.  The assignments will be due at the beginning of class the following week.  For the problem sets assigned the week before an exam, students may turn in their homework that Friday at noon so they can have the graded version for use on the exam.  Students will be allowed to make-up homework assignments only in the event of a serious illness, legitimate emergency, death of immediate family members, or Tarleton State University sponsored activity; in each case, proper documentation must be provided.

 

Final Project:

Each student will be required to complete a final project for this course that will consist of a written report presented in standard scientific format.  The purpose of this project is to acquaint students with the process of writing a scientific paper, emphasizing the role of statistical analyses in scientific studies.   Students will be required to design a "thought" experiment that tests one or more specific biological hypothesis.  That is, students will not be required to actually conduct the experiment; rather, I will provide students with data that corresponds to their project.  Students will be required to properly analyze the data, correctly interpret the results, and create a written report in standard scientific format.

 

Exams:

Three exams will be given throughout the semester, the dates of which are given in the lecture schedule.  Each exam will consist of an in-class portion and a take-home portion.  The in-class exam will be closed book and will consist of short answer and essay questions designed to test your understanding of basic statistical concepts.  The take-home portion of the exam will require extensive calculations, but students will be allowed to use their textbooks, notes, a calculator, or statistical programs.  Students will be allowed to make-up an exam only in the event of a serious illness, legitimate emergency, death of immediate family members, or Tarleton State University sponsored activity; in each case, proper documentation must be provided.

 

Academic Honesty:

Tarleton State University expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct.  Students guilty of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action.  Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an exam or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials.  The faculty member is responsible for initiating action for each case of academic dishonesty that occurs in his/her class. 

Disability Services: 
Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Director of Disability Services in the Teaching and Learning Center at (254) 968-9480 early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made.  The policy of Tarleton State University is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal, state, and local laws.  The Office of Disability Services fully supports this policy. 

Religious holidays: 
Students who expect to miss class and/or exams because of recognized religious holidays should notify the instructor as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made.  Examinations or assignments scheduled for that day will be rescheduled within a reasonable time either before or following the absence.