Central Michigan University
College of Science & Technology
BIO 500
Desig. No.
Biological Statistics
Title
3 (2-2)
Credit(Mode).
I.
Bulletin Description:
An introduction to biological statistics; emphasis on concepts of descriptive statistics and
central tendency, inferential statistics, ONE-WAY ANOVA, and correlation/linear
regression.
II.
Prerequisites:
Twelve (12) hours of biology or permission of instructor; math competency equivalent to
MTH 130 recommended.
III.
Rationale for Course Level
For upper-level undergraduate and graduate students.
IV.
General Methodology Used in Conducting the Course
VII.
Course Objectives
To introduce students to the fundamentals of biological statistics, with an emphasis on
concepts of descriptive statistics and central tendency, inferential statistics, ONE-WAY
ANOVA, and correlation/linear regression.
To provide the students with hands-on experience in use of computer-based statistical
applications.
VIII.
Week
1
2
3
4
Course Outline
Topic
Introduction: Basic Concepts of Biological Statistics
Data Description: Kinds of data, frequency tables,
histograms, cumulative frequency distributions,
mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation,
variance. Use of biological data sets as examples.
Biological Data description
Lab Activity
Introduction to Computer lab
Intro to Estimation: samples and populations;
histograms; distribution of means, standard error of
sample mean; emphasis on biological samples
Probability; Basic rules, mutually exclusive events,
independence using examples from biological data
sets. Binomial & Poisson distributions; probabilities,
binomial test, goodness of fit to binomial & Poisson
Introduction to software,
graphing data, central
tendency
Discrete Probability
Distributions
Introduction to software,
graphing data, central
tendency
5
6-7
8
9
10
11-13
14
15
16
IX.
distributions using examples from biological data
sets.
Intro to hypothesis testing of biological data: Null vs.
alternative, statistical inference, goodness of fit
tests, chi-square distribution, statistical error.
The normal distribution in biological settings:
probabilities under normal curve, normal
approximations of binomial distribution
Hypothesis Tests for
Categorical Data
One sample inference (normal case) using
examples of biological data
The Normal distribution, One
sample inference for a normal
population
Two sample inference using examples of biological
Two-Sample Inference for
data
Paired Numeric Data
Paired samples (parametric & non-parametric) using Two-Sample Inference for
examples of biological data
Independent Numeric Data
Intro to multi-sample inference (ANOVA) using
Single Factor Analysis of
examples of biological data
Variance (ANOVA)
Multiple Comparisons: a posteriori comparison of
Single Factor Analysis of
means in biological systems
Variance (ANOVA)
Linear Regression using examples of biological data Relation between two
variables (linear regression &
correlation)
Correlation using examples of biological data and
Review for final exam
REVIEW FOR FINAL
Final Exam
Evaluation
3 non-cumulative hour exams @ 100 pts each
Final Exam: Comprehensive @ 200 pts
Homework and quizzes @ 100 pts
Laboratory assignments @400 pts
Graduate students will, in addition to the standard course requirements and
evaluation mechanisms, be required to design an experiment, collect data and
analyze data, drawing the appropriate conclusions and submit a written report of
their findings.
X.
Bibliography
Selected Textbooks
Daniel, W.W. 1991. Biostatistics: A foundation for analysis in the Health Sciences, thEd.
John Wiley & Sons, NY
Rosner, B. 2000. Fundamentals of Biostatistics. 5th Ed. Duxbury. Pacific Grove, CA
Sokal, R.R. and F.J. Rohlf. 1987. Intoduction to Biostatistics. 2nd Ed. Freeman. NY
Internet Sites
The Statistical Instrucion Internet Palette (SHP) Arizona State University.
http://research.ed.asu.edu/reports/asa96/
Statistics: The Study of stability in Variation
http://home.sat.ucla.edu.textbook/
Statlib.
http://lib.stat.cmu.edu/
Selected Journals
Biometrics
Journal of Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Statistics
Journal of American Statistical Association
Journal of Statistics Education
Journal of Statistical Software
Selected Software
Mathsoft
Minitab
SAS
SPSS Inc.
Visual Statistics
Syllabus Prepared By:
Robert E. Bailey_________
Name
______________________
Signature
4/9/03_________________
Date