University of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Public Health Sciences
PH 655 Biostatistics I
Fall 2015 Syllabus
Time: Monday and Wednesday 12:00 – 1:15pm
Three (3) credit core course
Location: Biomed T211
Instructor
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Course site:
Office:
Office hours:
Yan Yan Wu, Ph.D.
(808)956-6025
yywu@hawaii.com
https://laulima.hawaii.edu
Biomed D104F
Monday 1:30-2:30pm
Course Description and Prerequisite
PH655 focuses on the basic biostatistics methods that can be applied to public health and
biomedical research. Key topics include descriptive statistics, probability theories, common
distributions, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, simple linear regression, and basic categorical data
analysis methods. The course will provide you some basic tools to collect data, analyze data, and
interpret results from analysis. Prerequisite: none.
Course Learning Objectives
1. Distinguish different types of random variables and understand the difference between
experimental studies and observational studies.
2. Compute standard descriptive statistics using a pocket calculator and statistical
software (Excel or SPSS).
3. Understand statistical hypothesis, type I and type II errors
4. Apply t-tests for inference about a mean or difference between means for the three
basic study designs (one sample, paired samples and two independent samples).
5. Use t-distribution table to construct 95% confidence intervals for mean and the
difference between means.
6. Construct ANOVA (one-way analysis of variance) table using a pocket calculator and
software.
7. Compute correlations between 2 continuous random variables and calculate simple
linear regression model estimates.
8. Use normal approximation to test proportion and difference in proportions
9. Apply chi-square tests for the test of association between two categorical variables
10. Test for association in stratified 2 by 2 tables using the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square
test.
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Textbook:
Basic Biostatistics by B. Burt Gerstman (Jones & Bartlett, 2008)
Textbook Website: http://publichealth.jbpub.com/book/gerstman/staTable.cfm
Reference Books:
Introductory Applied Biostatistics by Ralph B. D’Agostino, Sr., Lisa M. Sullivan, and Alexa
S. Beiser (Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2006)
Essentials of Biostatistics in Public Health by Lisa M. Sullivan (Jones & Bartlett, 2012)
Statistical Software:
EXEL or SPSS
SPSS Site License: https://www.hawaii.edu/sitelic/spss/spss.html
Course Policies:



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All students are expected to attend the class and do the assigned homework.
Plagiarism is unacceptable for all exams and will result in a failing grade for the course,
depending on the extent of the violation. Please be familiar with the University of Hawaii
Student Conduct Code, available at the Office of Student Affairs at the Student Services
Center.
The course schedule may need to be revised and some topics may be rescheduled
depending on the progress of the class.
Students are encouraged to come during office hours to ask questions.
Exams
 Students are allowed to bring a reference/formula sheet (2-sided), not to exceed 8½” by 11"
(letter size), of their own construction, to all exams. No restrictions on content. No flaps;
all pasted or taped on pieces must be properly glued or taped down on all four sides.
 You will need a calculator for basic calculations. Electronic dictionaries, cellphones,
tablets, i-watch are not allowed.
 The only documentary evidence that will be accepted to support missing the exams due to
illness is the Physician’s note.
 Students need to notify the instructor at least 2 weeks before the exams if there is a conflict
with the scheduled exam. A deferred exam will be scheduled.
 The final exam is cumulative, but will focus on the contents after the second mid-term
exam.
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PH 655 Course Schedule
week #
Date
1
24-Aug
26-Aug
Ch 1, 2, General Biostatistics concepts
Ch 3, 4 Frequency Distributions/Summary
2
31-Aug
2-Sep
Ch 4
Ch 5
3
7-Sep
9-Sep
No class, labor day
Ch 6
Binomial Probability Distribution
4
14-Sep
16-Sep
Ch 7
Ch 8
Normal Probability Distribution
Intro Statistical Inference/Sampling
5
21-Sep
23-Sep
Ch 8
Intro Statistical Inference/Sampling
Review
6
Topics
Assignments
Summary Statistics
Probability Concepts
28-Sep
30-Sep
Ch 9
Mid-term Exam 1 (Ch 1-8)
Basics of Hypothesis Testing
7
5-Oct
7-Oct
Ch 9
Ch 10
Basics of Hypothesis Testing
Basics of Confidence Intervals
8
12-Oct
14-Oct
9
19-Oct
21-Oct
Ch 11 Inference about A Mean
Ch 12 Comparing Independent Means
Ch 13 Comparing Several means
(ANOVA)
Ch 14 Correlation and Regression
10
26-Oct
28-Oct
11
Ch 14
Correlation and Regression
Review
2-Nov
4-Nov
Ch 18
12
9-Nov
11-Nov
Ch 18 Cross-tabulated counts
No class / Veteran’s Day
13
16-Nov
18-Nov
Ch 19 Stratified tables
No Class
14
23-Nov
25-Nov
Ch 16
Ch 17
15
30-Nov
3-Dec
Review
Project Consultation / Review
16
8-Dec
10-Dec
Group Presentation
Group Presentation
17
14-Dec
Final Exam (12-2pm, 2 hours)
A1 Due
A2 Due
Mid-term Exam 2 (Ch 9-14)
Cross-tabulated counts
Inference about a Proportion
Comparing Two Proportions
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A3 Due
Grading
Grading Scheme
Mid-term Exam 1
Mid-term Exam 2
Assignments
Group Presentation
Final Exam
A+ = 98-100%
A = 95-97%
A- = 90-94%
B+ = 87-89%
B = 84-86%
B- = 80-83%
C+ = 77-79%
C = 70-76%
C- = 66-69%
D+ = 63-65%
D = 60-62%
D- = 55-59%
F < 55%
Percentage
20%
20%
10%
20%
30%
Excellent, distinctive work. Demonstrate sophisticated
understanding of the course material and know how to use it
in different situations.
Above average work. Understand most of the statistics
concepts and reasoning and can solve most of the problems.
Average work, sufficient, but not distinctive. Understand
basic statistics concepts and reasoning and can use statistical
tools to solve basic problems.
Poor, insufficient work for understanding statistics concepts
and reasoning.
Unacceptable work for understanding statistics concepts and
reasoning.
University Policy and Accommodations
1. Non-Discrimination
The University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, age,
religion, color, national origin, ancestry, handicap, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual
orientation, and veteran status.
2. Accommodations
Any student who may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability is invited to
contact me privately within first weeks of the course. I would be happy to work with you, and the
KOKUA Program (Office for Students with Disabilities) to ensure reasonable accommodations in
my course. KOKUA can be reached at (808) 956-7511 or (808) 956-7612 (voice/text) in room 013
of the Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services
MPH Competencies:
CPH6.
Apply basic statistical methods for inference (BIOSTATS).
CPH7.
Apply descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public health data (BIOSTATS).
CPH8.
Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies (BIOSTATS).
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