Course syllabus for Biostatistics 2

Biostatistik 2

Specific entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in public health science, healthcare or other relevant social sciences subject area. And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.

Outcomes

The objective of this course is to teach the students the biostatistics skills needed to perform statistical analysis of public health and epidemiologic data. The student will develop knowledge to choose, apply and interpret appropriate regression models to conduct his/her present and future research in public health epidemiology.

After completing the course, students should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• Explain the assumptions of linear, logistic, and survival regression models.
• Distinguish between univariable and multivariable models and their applications.
• Apply the logic of statistical inference to generalize findings to the target population.

Competence and Skills

• Perform computer experiments to support the design of experimental and observational
  studies.
• Present regression results using appropriate written, tabular, and graphical formats.
• Develop reproducible code to analyze data with regression models.

Judgement and approach

• Evaluate the suitability and limitations of regression models in public health research.
• Justify the modeling choices made in relation to research questions and data structure.
• Critical appraisal of regression models in public health contexts.

Content

The course covers linear regression, logistic regression, Poisson regression, and popular statistical methods (Kaplan-Meier method, Cox regression) for survival data. Among the topics covered are: hypothesis testing and confidence intervals for regression model parameters, maximum likelihood estimation and least squares criteria, goodness of fit, and predictions.

Teaching methods

The course is a mix of lectures and computing tutorials. In lectures, statistical concepts needed to understand regression models are introduced, illustrated, and discussed in class and group discussions. In computing tutorials, the statistical concepts are illustrated with examples from epidemiological studies and/or epidemiological data. Lectures and tutorials are alternating so as to give the student an opportunity to practice the methods taught in lectures in the computer laboratory.

Examination

The acquired knowledge and skills will be examined through class presentations, home projects, and final exam covering both theory and interpretation of statistical results.

Compulsory participation
The course director assesses if and, in that case, how absence can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course director's instructions, the student's results for the course/respective part will not be registered in LADOK.

Limited number of examinations or practical training sessions
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student is not approved after four examinations, he/she is recommended to retake the course at the next regular course date, and may, after that, participate in two more examinations. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination or new admission is provided.

The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session. Submission of a blank examination is regarded as an examination. An examination for which the student registered but not participated in, will not be counted as an examination.

If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Transitional provisions

Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible cancellation of the course. Examination can take place according to an earlier literature list during a time of one year after the date when a major renewal of the literature list has been made.

Other directives

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee for Higher Education.

The course language is English.

Literature and other teaching aids

Mandatory literature

• Hosmer, David W.; Lemeshow, Stanley; Sturdivant, Rodney X., Applied logistic regression, 3. edition : Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley, 2013 - xvi, 500 s. ISBN: 9780470582473 (hbk.), LIBRIS-ID: 13988873 http://catalogimages.wiley.com/images/db/jimages/9780470582473.jpg
• Kirkwood, Betty R.; Sterne, Jonathan A. C., Essential medical statistics, 2. ed. : Malden, Mass. : Blackwell Science, cop. 2003 - x, 501 s. ISBN: 0-86542-871-9, LIBRIS-ID: 8731249