College of Public Health
University of South Florida
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Syllabus
Online Course Name: Biostatistics I
Prefix & Number: PHC-6050
Sections: 310, 351, 951
Semester: Fall, 2015
Course
Description:
Credit hours:
Concepts, principles and methods of statistics applied to public health issues
Pre-Requisites:
College algebra or consent of instructor
Co-Requisites:
None
Location:
http://my.usf.edu (Canvas)
Instructor
Information:
Instructor
3
James A. Mortimer, Ph.D., Professor
Address: Room 2120, College of Public Health, USF, MDC-56
Office hours: Virtual Office: Mondays 3:30-4:30 pm (except Sept. 7, Labor Day). To
come to my virtual office, click on Blackboard Collaborate in the course menu. You
will need to have a headset with microphone to communicate. When it responds,
type in your name and join the room.
Phone: 813-974-7046
Email address: jmortime@ health.usf.edu
Preferred method of contact: email. Note: I am almost always available by email.
The phone number listed above is answered much less frequently
Teaching
Assistant
Information:
Tech
Assistance
Reply policy: 2 days, except on weekend (3 days)
TA 1
TA 2
Michael Bubu, MPH
Arnut Paothong, Ph.D.
Office hours: TBA
Office hours: TBA
Email: obubu@health.usf.edu
Email: apaothon@ health.usf.edu
Preferred method of contact: email Preferred method of contact: email
Reply: 2 days
Reply: 2 days
Use the Tech Assistance button on the course website. The Tech Assistance
button links to the Technical Support page of the Office of Educational Technology
& Assessment website at: http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/eta/techsupport.html
Select from any of the available options. Students will receive a reply WITHIN 24
hours via phone or email based on student preference.
During Exams & Collaborate Sessions: Technical assistance for exams and
Collaborate sessions are supported by ETA. The phone number will be posted on
the course website.
Syllabus
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College of Public Health
University of South Florida
Online Course
Technical
Requirements:
Students in all online public health courses are expected to meet the basic
technology requirements to successfully participate in their courses. Failure to meet
these requirements may cause problems accessing the course materials.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure all requirements are met prior to
the start of the semester.
http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/eta/students_tech_requirements.htm
Special Technology Requirements for this course:
Describe if applicable. Provide link and description of additional requirements here
Pre-requisite technology skills:
Describe any technology skills required before taking this course here.
Collaborate Computer Requirements: (if applicable)
View hardware and software requirements and downloads for Collaborate sessions:
http://eta.health.usf.edu/technology/Collaborate/Collaborate_Instructions.pdf
Respondus Lockdown Browser Student Guide: (if applicable)
http://tiny.cc/gm4x6
Required
Materials:
Essentials of Biostatistics in Public Health, Second Edition, by Lisa M. Sullivan,
Jones and Bartlett, 2012.
SPSS Survival Manual, 5th edition by Julie Pallant, McGraw-Hill, 2013.
Each student should have a handheld calculator. The calculator should be able to
perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, squares, square roots, natural
logs and exponentials. Calculations of xy are helpful.
Each student also should have a licensed version of SPSS available to them for the
homework and practice sessions. Software is available from the USF Computer
Store, either on-campus or on-line. The software will cost $10.
Textbooks available at HSC Bookstore http://usfhsc.bkstore.com. OR at Amazon.com
Recommended
Materials:
Course Format:
None.
This course is a web-based course with narrated interactive presentations, videos,
practice and feedback units and assigned homework. Students are encouraged to
participate in the live, real-time interactive help sessions.
The course is divided into weekly modules, which have several sections. I would
suggest that you begin at the top and proceed through the bottom. This is the
intended order.
Course Timing: Course content will be posted at 12:01 am on the Tuesday each
module begins and will remain posted through the end of the course. The course
does not meet online except for the live help sessions,
Syllabus
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College of Public Health
University of South Florida
Help Sessions (participation is strongly encouraged):
Live Interactive Group Help Sessions:
• Dates and times: Tuesdays, 7:30 pm – 9 pm, beginning September 1. There
will be no help sessions on September 29 and November 3, the Tuesdays
after exams are given.
Format: All help sessions are moderated by a Graduate Assistant.
Students and the Graduate Assistant will meet virtually using USF’s
audio-visual conferencing software (Blackboard Collaborate: Elluminate Live!).
This format allows for live, interactive (two-way) real-time audio and (oneway) visual communication between the Graduate Assistant and all students in
the help session.
• What will be covered: The help sessions will review the homework for the
previous week and questions will be addressed. After the help session, the
homework answers will be posted at Modules > Accessing the RECORDED
Elluminate Live! Help Sessions.
• Replay of Help Sessions: All help sessions will be recorded and be available
for replay as streaming video the following day. Recorded help sessions can
be accessed at Modules > Accessing the RECORDED Elluminate Live!
Help Sessions
• Technology Requirements: Students will need a microphone and audio
capabilities to communicate verbally. See technology requirements for
additional software and hardware specifications.
Individual help (optional):
Students are strongly encouraged to use the group help sessions and/or the
Discussion Board to obtain clarification on course content. Individual help with
content needs to be arranged with the TAs for the course listed on the first page of
the syllabus.
Syllabus
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College of Public Health
University of South Florida
Learning Objectives:
(Objectives must be numbered)
1. Understand the history and evolution of the field of modern biostatistics.
2. Understand that the main concept of biostatistics is the use of samples to estimate population
parameters
3. Distinguish and understand the differences between nominal, ordinal, and continuous variables.
4. Understand the ways to data can be described for each variable type.
5. Understand the way in which basic concepts of probability and random variation are related to
descriptive and inferential methods utilized by biostatistics.
6. Describe the normal distribution, how it is generated and why it has wide applicability to inferential
techniques.
7. Describe how the Poisson distribution is generated and what it represents.
8. Describe how the binomial distribution is generated and what it represents.
9. Understand the concepts of a sampling distribution, type I and II errors, and statatistical power.
10. Understand and be able to apply specific descriptive and inferential techniques commonly used in
public health research including: tables; graphs; statistical measures of central tendency, variability,
relative position and distributional shape; risk and odds ratios; confidence intervals; Z-tests; t-tests;
one sample tests for a proportion; McNemar’s test; analysis of variance; multiple comparison
procedures; Pearson product-moment correlation; Chi square; simple linear regression; common
non-parametric and permutation methods; and methods to compute statistical power.
11. Be familiar with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values.
12. Given a research question, be able to select and apply appropriate basic descriptive and inferential
techniques to address that issue.
13. Be able to read statistically-oriented public health research articles with better understanding.
Syllabus
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College of Public Health
University of South Florida
Assessment Strategies:
(Strategies must be numbered)
.
1. Self-assessments (ungraded) are provided as part of the modules, permitting students to
assess their own abilities and address deficiencies through additional reading and practice.
2. Weekly homework assignments will be graded.
3. Three on-line exams, each covering a specific one-third of the course material, will be given
and used to help grade students on their achievement of the learning objectives.
Syllabus
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College of Public Health
University of South Florida
This course meets the following MPH Core Competencies.
Learning
Objectives
Competency
Assessment
Strategies
1. Describe the roles biostatistics serves in the discipline of public
health.
1,13
1,2,3
2. Describe basic concepts of probability, random variation and
commonly used statistical probability distributions.
2,5,6,7,8,9
1,2,3
3. Describe preferred methodological alternatives to commonly used
statistical methods when assumptions are not met.
10
1,2,3
4. Distinguish among the different measurement scales and the
implications for selection of statistical methods to be used based on
these distinctions.
3,4
1,2,3
5. Apply descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public
health data.
4,10
1,2,3
6. Apply common statistical methods for inference.
10
1,2,3
7. Apply descriptive and inferential methodologies according to the
type of study design for answering a particular research question.
12
1,2,3
13
1,2,3
13
1,2,3
8. Apply basic informatics techniques with vital statistics and public
health records in the description of public health characteristics and in
public health research and evaluation.
9. Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies.
Syllabus
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College of Public Health
University of South Florida
Grading Scale and
Criteria:
Grading Events:
On-line Exams:
All examinations are to be solely the work of the student. No assistance is
allowed. Use of any assistance on completing the examinations is
considered disruption of the academic process and violation of the policy
regarding academic integrity and will be treated accordingly. Assistance
includes but is not limited to notes, books, computer resources and
persons.
Examination Procedures:
All exams are “closed book.” No exam “retakes” will be given. Each
exam will focus on the material given in the units in the preceding
segment of the course – see Course Calendar. However, the
concepts learned to date in the course will be needed to
successfully take all exams. There will be no final exam covering
the entire course.
Each of three exams will be available for students to begin anytime
between 8:30 am and 9:00 pm (Eastern Time) on the days indicated in
the Course Calendar below. Students will have one and a half hours
from the time of access to complete the exam. As soon as you begin
(open the exam) CANVAS will begin timing you. You are required to
complete the exam and close it within one and a half hours from the time
it is opened. Exams will consist of 25 multiple-choice questions.
It is recognized that some students may occasionally experience conflicts
with other courses or job-related duties regarding the timing of the exams.
If you anticipate difficulty taking any exam at the assigned time, please email the instructor as soon as possible to arrange for an alternative time
to take the exams. Requests made after the exam is scheduled to begin
will not be considered.
Make-up Exam:
Make-up exams are only given due to extreme circumstances or
emergencies. Students are required to provide appropriate
documentation, which will be determined acceptable by the instructor,
BEFORE being allowed to take any make-up exam.
Homework:
Each week a homework assignment must be submitted no later
than Sunday night at 11:59 pm. The homework assignments will
Syllabus
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College of Public Health
University of South Florida
be given a grade of 0 to 100. There will be a total of 12 homework
assignments.
Grading Policies:
The three exams will count as 60% of the grade (20% for each exam).
Assigned homework will be graded weekly and will have a maximum
score of 100 each week. Homework grades will be averaged over the
course and this grade will count as 40% of the final grade.
The instructor reserves the right to add a fixed number of points to all
students’ scores on any exam to assure an appropriate distribution of
scores.
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
<60
The letter grade will be determined from the final numeric grade and the
table above. Numeric grades of 59.5, 69.5, 79.5 and 89.5 will be rounded
up, before assigning the letter grade.
COURSE POLICIES
Online Attendance &
Participation:
Permission to Use
Lectures:
Instructor Expectations:
Syllabus
Students are expected to read and review all course materials in a timely
manner. Viewing of posted learning units and other materials may be
monitored by the instructor through automatic registration viewing events
throughout the term.
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend
normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of
instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: CANVAS,
Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule.
It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor the CANVAS site for
course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and
department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general
information.
All unauthorized recordings of class are prohibited. Recordings that
accommodate individual student needs must be approved in advance and
may be used for personal use during the semester only; redistribution is
prohibited. Materials used in this course are the property of the University
of South Florida and the instructor. Students are not permitted to sell
notes, tapes, outlines, syllabi or any other material used in this course
without written permission.
Students are expected to have read this syllabus carefully. They will be
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College of Public Health
University of South Florida
Incomplete Policy:
Schedule Change
Policy:
responsible for completing all course requirements in an appropriate and
timely manner and for submitting homework and taking the examinations
on the indicated dates without additional reminders. Failure to take an
exam on the indicated date or on another date agreed to before the exam
is scheduled will result in a numeric grade of zero for that exam, which
will be averaged with other two grades to determine the final numeric
grade.
Incomplete grades will be given to students with extenuating
circumstances (sickness, absence beyond their control) with appropriate
documentation. Such grades must be requested prior to taking the third
exam in the course. Applicable COPH and graduate school policies and
procedures will be followed.
COPH policy:
http://publichealth.usf.edu/academicaffairs/academic_procedures.html
Any changes to the course calendar or other modifications in the course
will be announced in advance and a revised syllabus will be provided.
Course Calendar
Date
August 25-August 31
Module 1
Sept. 1-Sept. 7
Module 2
Sept. 8-Sept. 14
Module 3
Sept. 15-Sept. 21
Module 4
September 24
Examination 1 – covers Modules 1-4 -- begin between 8:30 am and 9:00 pm
Sept. 29-October 5
Module 5
October 6-October 12
Module 6
October 13-October 19
Module 7
October 20-October 26
Module 8
October 29
Examination 2 -- covers Modules 5-8 – begin between 8:30 am and 9:00 pm
Nov. 3-Nov. 9
Module 9
Nov. 10-Nov. 16
Module 10
Syllabus
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College of Public Health
University of South Florida
Nov. 17-Nov. 24
Module 11
Nov.24-Nov. 30
Module 12
December 10
Examination 3 -- covers Modules 9-12 – begin between 8:30 am and 9:00 pm
Additional Course Information
Course Evaluations:
An announcement will be made on the course website regarding the way to access them when they
become available towards the end of the course.
Course Communication:
Announcements will be posted on the course website for changes to the course or to communicate
issues from the instructor, graduate teaching assistant or ETA office. Please monitor the Announcements
regularly.
Who To Contact and How:
There are several people who work together to support students who participate in COPH distance
learning courses. Please try to adhere to the following recommendations when requesting support:
•
For course content related questions, which are not confidential, use the assigned help
session.
• For problems accessing the course materials (narrated presentation, course links, streaming
video, help sessions) use the “Tech Assistance” button located on the course Home page. For
more immediate responses, contact The Office of Educational Technology and Assessment
(ETA) at 813-974-6666 or via email at eta@health.usf.edu. Please be specific, indicating the
exact problem, your computer specifications, the name of the video/presentation and your course
number!
For computer related technological support & Canvas problems (i.e., computer questions, access to
Canvas, USF email, USF portal, NetID, cannot access the course, browser issues), please contact
Academic Computing helpline at (813) 974-1222 or help@acomp.usf.edu
INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES & STUDENT RESOURCES
Go to: Institutional Policies information & Student Resources or http://tinyurl.com/usfpolicies
Syllabus
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