BIO2150 - Biostatistics and Study Design
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Course content
Through practical experiments and computing exercises, the course gives basic skills in the methodological foundations of modern biological research. Central topics are probability and probability distributions, significance tests and statistical inference, interpretation of estimates, sampling methods in different disciplines of biology, and experimental design (randomization, blocking, confounding, and pseudoreplication). The focus is on developing practical skills in statistical modeling, model selection, and hypothesis testing. Further topics are transformations, Monte Carlo methods, permutation and bootstrapping, Bayesian statistics, survival analysis, time series analysis, and multivariate statistical methods with application to biology. There will also be a short introduction to nonlinear dynamics and numerical solution of differential equations. The statistical programming environment R is used throughout the course.
Learning outcomes
The objective is to train the students in planning and executing biological experiments and observational studies in a wide range of field and laboratory settings. The students will learn ecological methods, and the statistical basis for these methods. During the course, students will gain experience in presenting and testing biological hypotheses, identifying background conditions, and to do quantitative observational sampling. The students will carry out a research project as group work in cooperation with teachers from the institute. The student will learn to present scientific results (written and oral) and to write a scientific essay. Students will become competent in designing scientifically sound field studies and experiments. The course will provide a necessary background for interpreting and evaluating the results and theories in biological journals.
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisites
In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
One of these:
- Mathematics R1
- Mathematics (S1+S2)
And and in addition one of these:
- Mathematics (R1+R2)
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies. Read more about special admission requirements.
Recommended prior knowledge
This course offers a preparatory course in the beginning of the semester . It is strongly advised to follow this course, as the contents (elementary statistics) will not be taught in BIO2150.
Based on knowledge from BIO1000 - Elementary Biology, BIO1200 - Biodiversity, BIO2100 - General Ecology, MAT1001 - Mathematics 1 and KJM1001 - Introduction to chemistry. Some prior background in statistics (e.g. STK1000 - Introduction to applied statistics or similar) is an advantage but not necessary.
Overlap
10 credits against BIO2110 - Experimental ecology. 10 credits against BIO2130 - Bio statistics. 10 credits against BIO2150A - Biostatistics. 5 credits against STK1000 - Introduction to applied statistics. 5 credits against STK1005 - Introduction to applied statisics B.
Teaching
The course comprises lectures, compulsory tutorials, compulsory laboratory exercises with hand-in reports, writing of a scientific paper and one compulsory hand-in report on biostatistics. The course will also be given as compulsory group research projects in cooperation with the department's scientific staff. Results from the research project shall be written as a scientific paper, and either this or the individual scientific paper will be presented orally in the auditorium.
The first lecture is compulsory. This subject uses Fronter.
Teaching takes place throughout the semester.
Exam information
One scientific paper is graded and accounts for 20% of the final mark. In addition, the course has two written exams. Both exams and the scientific paper are mandatory and have to be taken in the same semester:
A written 3 Hour long Mid-term exam with multiple choice questions, no permitted materials (30% of the final mark).
A written 4 Hour long End-of-term exam (50% of the final mark), where each student may bring up to ten sheets of paper (A4) with handwritten or printed text, formulas, equations, figures, tables etc., on both sides + calculator
All mandatory coursework must be completed and approved within given deadlines before the student can attend the end of term exam.
The final grade is based on the total score and a general impression after the final examination.
Exam resources
No special exam resources are allowed.
Assessment and grading
Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .
An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.
Explanations and appeals
Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals
Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes
This subject offer new examination in the beginning of the
subsequent term for candidates who withdraw during an ordinary
examination or fail an ordinary examination. For general information
about new examination, see reglement for utsatt og ny eksamen ved MN-fakultetet
and the english version of the examination rules.
We also offer postponed examination after legitimate absence.
Exam options for students with special needs
Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation of this course
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".
Periodic evaluation Autumn 2013.
Contact us
Department of Biology
Visiting address:
Kristine Bonnevie's building, Blindernveien 31
Visiting hours:
Postal address:
P.O.Box 1066, Blindern
NO-0316 Oslo
Fax: +47 22 85 47 26
E-mail: studieinfo@bio.uio.no
Web: http://www.mn.uio.no/bio/english/