Module Details

Module Code: STAT6013
Title: Biostatistics and Probability
Long Title: Biostatistics and Probability
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4620 - Statistics
Module Delivered in: 9 programme(s)
Module Description: This module provides a treatment of descriptive statistics, probability distributions, and
regression and correlation.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Apply the methods of descriptive statistics to organise, summarise, present and analyse data.
LO2 Choose, use, and interpret summary statistics.
LO3 Calculate probabilities using the basic rules of probability and solve related applied problems.
LO4 Identify common probability distributions, in particular the normal distribution, and calculate probabilities associated with them.
LO5 Determine and use the regression line for a set of bivariate data.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
13080 MATH6056 Maths for Biological Sciences
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Data Collection and Organisation
Qualitative and quantitative data and variables. Collection & presentation of data: tallies, frequency distributions, histograms, frequency curves, ogives, stem & leaf plots. Various patterns and their causes, normal, skew, truncated, bimodal. Population and sample, sampling techniques.
Summary Statistics
Measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion. Box plots, outliers. Error bars. Coefficient of variation. Coefficient of skew.
Fundamentals of Probability
Definitions of probability, calculating probabilities, the complementary event. Compound events, mutually exclusive events. Independence of events, conditional probability. Introduction to Bayes Theorem.
Probability Distributions
Definition of a random variable and its associated probability distribution function. Examples of discrete random variables. Overview of common discrete probability distributions, to include the Binomial Distribution. Continuous random variables, probability density functions. The Normal (Gaussian) Distribution. Use of tables. Applications of the Normal Distribution in the Biological Sciences. Indicators of normality.
Regression and Correlation
Scatterplots, correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination, regression equation, prediction: interpolation and extrapolation, the method of least squares. Discussion of association versus cause-and-effect.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
In-class assessment on descriptive statistics
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 2,3
Assessment Description
In-class test - probability
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-semester examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Exposition of theory with illustrative concrete examples Every Week 3.00 3
Tutorial Contact Questions and answers on lecture content, problem solving under guidance of lecturer Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study of lecture material and exercise sheets Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Exposition of theory with illustrative concrete examples Every Week 3.00 3
Tutorial Contact Questions and answers on lecture content, problem solving under guidance of lecturer Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study of lecture material and exercise sheets Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • D.Bowers. (2014), Medical Statistics from Scratch, 3rd. Wiley, [ISBN: 978111851938].
  • Martin Bland. (2015), An Introduction to Medical Statistics, 4th. OUP, [ISBN: 97801995899].
  • Bernard Rosner. (2011), Fundamentals of Biostatistics, 7th. Cengage, [ISBN: 978053873349].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Alicia Sevilla & Kay Somers. (2013), Quantitative Reasoning: Tools for Today's Informed Citizen, 2nd. Key College Publishing, USA, [ISBN: 97811184068].
  • D.S. Moore, G.P. McCabe & B.A. Craig. (2015), ntroduction to the Practice of Statistics, 8th. Macmillan, [ISBN: 978131901338].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SAGBI_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Agri-Biosciences 2 Mandatory
CR_SHERB_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Herbal Science 2 Elective
CR_SNHSC_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nutrition and Health Science 2 Mandatory
CR_SPHBI_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2 Mandatory
CR_SAGBI_7 Bachelor of Science in Agri-Biosciences 2 Mandatory
CR_SBIBI_7 Bachelor of Science in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology 2 Mandatory
CR_SFSTE_7 Bachelor of Science in Food and Health Science 2 Mandatory
CR_SCEBS_8 Common Entry Biological Sciences 2 Mandatory
CR_SBIOS_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Applied Biosciences 2 Mandatory