TM5516 - Biostatistics for Public Health

Credit points:	03
Year:	2016
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences

Available to all postgraduate students in health science programs.

Biostatistics for public health is an introductory level course that covers the basic data analytical skills for analysing health data. Topics include: the elementary theory of probability; diagnostic tests; data exploration and presentation; theoretical and empirical distributions; measures of central tendency and dispersion; basic principles of statistical inference; principles of hypothesis tests; confidence intervals; common bivariate statistical tests; linear correlation and regression; and multiple linear regression. Theory is complemented by the use of applied examples and exercises to enhance understanding and facilitate development of practical skills. Being able to read and evaluate health literature is essential for health professionals, especially those in public health. Some computer literacy is assumed (e.g. Windows, Word, Excel). Students will be introduced to the statistical software package, SPSS (IBM SPSS, Chicago, Illinois). Numeracy skills are essential for the successful completion of this subject this subject.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate understanding of the fundamental principles of biostatistics;
• recognise, manage, describe and summarise data using the appropriate graphical and numerical methods;
• identify the appropriate statistical inferential methods for health research questions;
• make the appropriate use of the statistical software SPSS;
• competently read and critically interpret statistics in a health publication and apply knowledge to real-world problems.

Availabilities
Townsville, Block, Study Period 5
Census Date 05-May-2016
Non-standard start/end 11-Apr-2016 to 17-Jun-2016
Face to face teaching 11-Apr-2016 to 22-Apr-2016 (2 week block)
Coordinator:	Dr Iyke Emeto, Assoc. Professor Kerrianne Watt
Contact hours:	60 hours lectures
Assessment:	quizzes or tests (50%); assignments (50%).
Special Assessment Requirements:	Student must pass exam to pass subject
External, Study Period 2
Census Date 25-Aug-2016
Coordinator:	Dr Iyke Emeto, Assoc. Professor Kerrianne Watt
Method of Delivery:	Printed materials
Assessment:	quizzes or tests (50%); assignments (50%).
Special Assessment Requirements:	Student must pass exam to pass subject

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.