BIOS6040

Mathematical Background for Biostatistics

Faculty of Health and Medicine School of Medicine and Public Health

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Distance Education - Callaghan	Semester 1, Semester 2

Previously offered in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Covers the necessary mathematical background to understand the key techniques in biostatistics.
This course is offered in conjunction with the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA).

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the mathematics underlying key statistical methods
2. Demonstrate an understanding of basic algebra and analysis, and the ability to manually differentiate and integrate algebraic expressions, and perform Taylor series expansions
3. Understand the calculus basis of expectation and distribution theory
4. Perform matrix manipulations manually or by using software
5. Understand the numerical methods behind solutions of equations regularly encountered in methods in biostatistics

Content

This course covers core topics in algebra and analysis, including polynomial and simultaneous equations, graphs, the concept of limits, continuity and series approximations, including Taylor series expansions. Calculus will be introduced describing the techniques of integration and differentiation of vector expressions. This will be integrated into a study of probability, where the concepts of probability laws, random variables, expectation and distributions will be introduced. Essential topics in matrix algebra relevant to biostatistical methods will be presented. Finally, essential numerical methods, including the Newton-Raphson method for solution of simultaneous equations and concepts of numerical integration will be introduced.

Replacing Course(s)

N/A

Transition

N/A

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

None

Modes of Delivery

Distance Learning : Paper Based

Teaching Methods

Email Discussion Group

Assessment Items

Essays / Written Assignments	Assignments 100% (3 written assignments: functions [20%] calculus [40%] and matrices and numerical methods [40%])

Contact Hours

Self Directed Learning: for 6 hour(s) per Week for Full Term

Compulsory Components

Requisite by Enrolment	This course is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Medical Statistics or Master of Medical Statistics programs.

Timetables