University of Pennsylvania
Graduate Program in Public Health
MPH Degree Program
Course Syllabus – Spring 2012
Title: PUBH501 - Introduction to Biostatistics
Course Units: 1.0 c.u., Contact Hours: 42 hours
Course Description: This course is designed to provide a broad overview of biostatistics
methods as well as applications commonly used for public health research. Topics covered
include measurement and categorizing variables, use and misuse of descriptive statistics, testing
hypotheses, and applying commonly used statistical tests. An emphasis will be placed on the
practical application of data to address public health issues, rather than theoretical and
mathematical development. Students will learn how to choose and apply statistical tools to data
sources, when and how statistical tools can be used to analyze data, and how to interpret others’
quantitative studies. Students will gain experience using online datasets and the STATA
statistical software package.
Placement / Room Assignment:
Tuesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM Lecture & Discussion
Room 253, Biomedical Research Building (BRB), 421 Curie Boulevard
Course Director:
Anne Marie McCarthy, ScM
amccarth@jhsph.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
Teaching Assistant: Victoria Gamerman, MS
vica@mail.med.upenn.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
Pre-requisites: Enrollment in a master’s or doctoral program. Undergraduates and nonmatriculated students need permission of the instructor.
Course Overview: This course aims to provide the student with basic skills in biostatistics and
common applications of biostatistics in public health research.
Co-requisites: None.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Explain, calculate, and interpret descriptive statistics including scales of measurement,
frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, standard
scores, and the normal curve.
 Read, construct, and analyze charts, graphs, and contingency tables.






Understand the basic concepts of inferential statistics including probability, confidence
intervals, and hypothesis testing.
Know when and how to apply common parametric statistical tests
Use STATA, a statistical analysis software, to conduct basic analyses
Develop basic skills in critical review of the public health literature.
Gain experience using computer technology in the application of statistical procedures.
Develop a proposed research project including a plan for biostatistical analysis.
Core Competencies:
1. Select and define variables relevant to defining public health problems.
2. Recognize how data illuminate ethical, political, scientific, economic and overall public
health issues.
3. Collect, summarize, interpret and communicate information relevant to a population
health issue.
Teaching Methods: Lecture and discussion groups.
Evaluation Methods:
50%
30%
20%
Exams
Group Project and Teaching Presentations
Class Participation/Homework

MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAM - 25% each, total 50%
There will be a midterm exam in class on February 15th. The final will be a “take home”
exam and will be given out around April 18th. The two exams will count a total of 50% of
the grade.

GROUP PROJECT AND TEACHING PRESENTATIONS - 30%
Each group will organize teaching presentations on one or two different statistical tests.
Each group will also develop a proposal for a group project and present their proposed
project to the class at the end of the semester.

CLASS PARTICIPATION - 20%
Class attendance, participation, and homework will count for the remaining 20% of the
grade.
Class Participation: Students are expected to come to class on time prepared with comments
and questions from their assigned readings and exercises. They are also expected to participate
actively in discussions and work in their groups to organize a teaching session and develop a
proposed project.
Assigned Readings: Statistics: A tool for social research, Joseph F. Healey, Ninth edition
This text will be supplemented with hand outs.
Academic Integrity: Students are expected to adhere to the University’s Code of Academic
Integrity. Care should be taken to avoid academic integrity violations, including: plagiarism,
fabrication of information, and multiple submissions. Students who engage in any of these
actions will be referred to the Office of Academic Integrity, which investigates and decides on
sanctions in cases of academic dishonesty.
See link for more information: http://www.upenn.edu/academicintegrity/index.html
Course Outline / Assignments:
Date
Class
No.
Class Topics
Assignments
Jan 17,
2012
1
Intro to class and biostatistics
Descriptive statistics
 Rates
 Ratios
 Percentages
 Graphs & Charts
Healey (Chapters 1 & 2)
Jan 24
2
Measures of Central Tendency
 Mean
 Median
 Mode
 Skew
Measures of Dispersion
 Quartiles
 Range
 Standard deviations
 Variance
Healey (Chapters 3&4)
Ch 4 – Skip IQV, p. 90-92
Jan 31
3
The Normal Curve
 The concept
 Z-statistic
 Probabilities & areas under the curve
Inferential Statistics
 Random sample
 Standard error of the mean
 Stratified sample
 Cluster sample
Healey (Chapters 5&6)
Feb 7
4
Confidence Level
 Alpha error
 Bias
Hypothesis Testing
 Null Hypothesis
 Alternative Hypothesis
 Statistical significance
 One-tailed, two-tailed
Healey (Chapters 7&8)
Feb 14
5
Sample Size: Type 1 error, Type 2 error, Power
Hand out
Hypothesis testing : Z statistic
Healey (Chapter 9)
Feb 21
6
Mid-term
Feb 28
7
Student’s t-test
Healey (Chapter 9)
Analysis of Variance
Healey (Chapter 10)
Mar 6
Mar 13
Mar 20
Mar 27
No Class, Spring Break
8
9
10
Chi Square Test
Healey (Chapter 11)
Association between Variables
Healey (Chapter 15)
Linear Regression
Healey (Chapters 14)
Multivariate Regression
Healey (Chapters 16)
Odds Ratios
Hand Out
Logistic Regression
Hand Out
Survival Analysis
Hand out
Hand Out
Apr 3
11
Review of the literature
Apr 10
12
STATA lab class
Apr 17
13
Group Project Presentations
Apr 24
14
Group Project Presentations
REVIEW
Take home final exam
Apr 27
Final Exam due