Statistics

Subject 505-101 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Classroom

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 1-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Students will be expected to undertake additional study (i.e. outside the stated contact hours) of at least 4 to 5 hours for each hour of contact in this subject
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Julie Anne Simpson

Contact

Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic & Analytic Epidemiology

School of Population Health

Subject Overview:

This unit aims to introduce students to basic statistical concepts and methods.

Objectives: At the completion of the unit, students should be able to:
  • distinguish basic data types (binary, categorical, continuous) and summarise them appropriately using tables and graphs;
  • understand the concept of sampling variability and describe how simple statistical analyses of data from a sample can be used to draw inferences about population parameters;
  • calculate standard errors and confidence intervals for estimated means and proportions;
  • obtain p-values from tables and understand their role as measure of evidence;
  • distinguish between clinical relevance and statistical significance; and
  • appreciate the importance of statistical power and perform a sample size calculation.
Assessment:

A multichoice and short answer 1 hour examination mid semester (25%), and a 2 hour short answer assignment (25%) and a final open book 2 hour examination at the end of semester (50%).
Prescribed Texts:

BR Kirkwood & JAC Sterne, Essential Medical Statistics Second Edition, Blackwell Science, 2003.

Recommended Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: http://www.sph.unimelb.edu.au
Notes: This subject is a Master of Public Health Consortium subject.

Related Course(s): Master of Public Health

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