STATS 1504 - Statistical Practice I (Life Sciences) (Vet Bio)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

Statistical ideas and methods are essential tools in virtually all areas that rely on data to make decisions and reach conclusions. This includes diverse fields such as science, technology, government, commerce, manufacturing and the life sciences. In broad terms, statistics is about getting information from data. This includes both the important question of how to obtain suitable data for a given purpose and also how best to extract the information, often in the presence of random variability. This course provides an introduction to the contemporary application of statistics to a range of real world situations. It has a strong practical focus using the statistical package SPSS to analyse real data relevant to the life sciences. Topics covered are: organisation, description and presentation of data in the life sciences; design of experiments and surveys; random variables, probability distributions, the binomial distribution and the normal distribution; statistical inference, tests of significance, confidence intervals; inference for means and proportions, one-sample tests, two independent samples, paired data, t-tests, contingency tables; analysis of variance; linear regression, least squares estimation, residuals and transformations, inference for regression coefficients, prediction.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code STATS 1504
    Course Statistical Practice I (Life Sciences) (Vet Bio)
    Coordinating Unit Statistics
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible STATS 1000, STATS 1005, ECON 1008 and STATS 1004
    Assumed Knowledge SACE stage 2 Mathematical Methods
    Restrictions Available to BSc(Vet Bio) students only
    Course Description Statistical ideas and methods are essential tools in virtually all areas that rely on data to make decisions and reach conclusions. This includes diverse fields such as science, technology, government, commerce, manufacturing and the life sciences. In broad terms, statistics is about getting information from data. This includes both the important question of how to obtain suitable data for a given purpose and also how best to extract the information, often in the presence of random variability. This course provides an introduction to the contemporary application of statistics to a range of real world situations. It has a strong practical focus using the statistical package SPSS to analyse real data relevant to the life sciences.

    Topics covered are: organisation, description and presentation of data in the life sciences; design of experiments and surveys; random variables, probability distributions, the binomial distribution and the normal distribution; statistical inference, tests of significance, confidence intervals; inference for means and proportions, one-sample tests, two independent samples, paired data, t-tests, contingency tables; analysis of variance; linear regression, least squares estimation, residuals and transformations, inference for regression coefficients, prediction.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Andrew Smith

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    1. Apply methods for scientific problem-solving.
    2. Demonstrate an ability to plan simple experiments and surveys.
    3. Recognise the appropriate techniques for the analysis of a variety of experimental and observational studies.
    4. Appreciate statistics as a coherent discipline in its own right.
    5. Demonstrate a sound preparation for a more theoretical and mathematical study of statistics at Levels II and III.
    6. Use a modern statistical computing package.
    7. Demonstrate a suitable grounding in statistics for those who are continuing in other fields and who may need to use statistics in later experimental studies.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. all
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. all
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. all
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 2
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Moore, McCabe, and Craig - Introduction to the Practice of Statistics (7th Ed).
    Online Learning
    This course uses MyUni exclusively for providing electronic resources, such as lecture notes, assignment papers, sample solutions, discussion boards, etc. It is recommended that the students make appropriate use of these resources.

    Link to MyUni login page:
    https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login/ 
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course relies on lectures as the primary delivery mechanism for the material. Tutorials supplement the lectures by providing exercises and example problems to enhance the understanding obtained through lectures. A sequence of written assignments provides the assessment opportunities for students to gauge their progress and understanding.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Activity Quantity Workload Hours
    Lectures 36 72
    Tutorials 11 22
    Assignments 5 48
    Practicals 12 14
    TOTAL 156
    Learning Activities Summary
    Lecture Outline

    1. Looking at a single variable (4 lectures)
    2. Relationships between variables (3 lectures)
    3. Producing data (3 lectures)
    4. Probability (2 lectures)
    5. Probability distributions (3 lectures)
    6. Measurement data (11 lectures)
    7. Analysis of variance (3 lectures)
    8. Simple linear regression (3 lectures)
    9. Count data (4 lectures)

    Tutorial Outline

    1. Descriptive statistics
    2. Relationships between variables
    3. Regression
    4. Producing data
    5. Probability
    6. Probability distributions
    7. One sample inference
    8. Hypothesis testing
    9. Analysis of variance
    10. Inference for regression
    11. Inference for count data

    Practical Outline

    1. Introduction to SPSS
    2. Descriptive statistics and graphs
    3. Relationships between variables
    4. Predictor response relationships
    5. Transformations
    6. Probability Calculations
    7. Normal Q-Q plots, one sample inference
    8. Two sample hypothesis tests and confidence intervals
    9. Analysis of Variance
    10. Inference for regression
    11. Analysis of count data
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Component Weighting Outcomes Assessed
    Assignments 15% All
    Exam 70% All
    Test 10% All
    Online quizzes 5% All
    Assessment Related Requirements
    An aggregate score of at least 50% is required to pass the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment Item Distributed Due Date Weighting
    Assignment 1 Week 1 Week 2 3%
    Assignment 2 Week 2 Week 4 3%
    Test Week 6 Week 6 10%
    Assignment 3 Week 6 Week 8 3%
    Assignment 4 Week 8 Week 10 3%
    Assignment 5 Week 10 Week 12 3%
    Online quizzes End of each week Week 13 5% (total)
    Submission

    All written assignments are to be submitted to the designated hand-in boxes in the School of Mathematical Sciences with a signed cover sheet attached. Late assignments will not be accepted. Assignments will have a two week turn-around time for feedback to students.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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