Statistics for the Life Sciences

Instructor:	Eric Nordmoe	TA:	Casey Herron
Office:	OU210A
Office Hours:	MW 9:30-11; R 1:30-2:30
Phone:	337-7066
E-mail:	enordmoe@kzoo.edu
Web page:	http://kzoo.edu/enordmoe/math261

Goals:

1. Data collection: To learn and apply sampling and experimental design methods appropriate for applications in the life sciences.

2. Data sense: To develop competence in applying data description and analysis techniques to uncover patterns and make observations from data sets; special emphasis will be placed on the importance of graphical descriptions of data.

3. Statistical inference: To obtain a firm understanding of the logic and techniques involved in performing basic statistical inference; students should be able to interpret the results of a statistical analysis using the concepts of confidence intervals, standard error, and tests of significance.

4. Core concepts: To increase students’ appreciation for and application of core statistical ideas including randomization, confounding, blocking, and the role of independent replication.

5. Tool identification: To be able to identify the appropriate technique for handling a particular statistical problem; or, to recognize that the problem is beyond the scope of techniques discussed in the course.

6. Communication: To learn to effectively communicate the results of statistical analyses in both oral and written forms according to standard practices in the life sciences.

7. The big picture: To understand that statistical investigation is a multi-faceted process involving the collection of data related to a process or population, summarization and interpretation of the data, and inference back to the original process or population.

Required Text:

· Statistics for the Life Sciences, 3rd ed., (2003), Myra L. Samuels and Jeffrey A. Witmer, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Recommended Text:

· A Handbook of Statistical Analyses using SPSS , (2003), Sabine Landau and Brian Everitt, Chapman & Hall/CRC, Boca Raton, FL.

Evaluation:

Grades will be assigned based on the following components and corresponding weights:

Component	Objectives	Weight
Routine homework and classroom participation	To improve understanding of statistical methods and to aid understanding of the concepts/material presented in class.	20%
Article Presentations	To see and share the relevance of statistical thinking in the life sciences and to build oral communication skills and group skills.	15%
Exams	To demonstrate mastery of statistical methods.	50%
Article Critique	To develop individual critical thinking and written communication skills by scrutinizing the work of a researcher in a field of interest to you.	15%

Tentative Schedule:

Week	Text Chapters	Topics
1	1-2	Introduction; Description of Populations and Samples
2	3	Random Sampling, Probability, and the Binomial Distribution
3	4	The Normal Distribution;
4	5-6	Sampling Distributions; EXAM I; Confidence Intervals
5	6-7	Confidence Intervals (cont’d); Comparison of Two Independent Samples
6	7-8	Comparison of Two Independent Samples; Principles of Design
7	9-10	Comparison of Paired Samples; EXAM II
8	10	Analysis of Categorical Data
9	11-12	ANOVA; Regression and Correlation
10	12	Regression and Correlation (cont’d)

Important Tentative Dates:

Exam I	April 18 (Wednesday, Week 4)
Exam II	May 11 (Friday, Week 7)
Final Exam	June 5 (Tuesday, Exam Week)

Homework assignments:

Homework sets will be collected about once a week, typically on Fridays. Late homework assignments will not be accepted except in extraordinary circumstances with advance permission of the instructor (e.g., prolonged documented illness). While you are invited and indeed encouraged to collaborate on homework assignments, you must write up your homework solutions independently.

Article Critique:

Present a critique of a published journal article, preferably on a topic of some interest to you. A paper supporting your presentation will be submitted for evaluation. Details will be provided in class.

Exams:

Two exams will be given during the quarter according to the schedule above. Make-ups will only be given in extraordinary circumstances and must be discussed with me at least one week in advance of the regularly scheduled date.

Attendance:

Attendance at all class sessions is expected. If you must miss a class for a legitimate reason, you should be sure to consult one of your colleagues to review what you missed.

Classroom Participation:

Consistent with the interactive nature of this class, all students are expected to come prepared for class and to participate actively. This means contributing to discussions of the entire class and working with partners or groups on the classroom activities. From time to time, write-ups of classroom activities may be collected. Performance on these activities will be included in your routine homework grade. When warm-up problems are assigned for classroom discussion, I will expect that you have earnestly attempted all problems before class.

Academic Dishonesty:

Representing another's work as one's own (i.e., copying) on exams or projects is not acceptable and will result in failure of the course.

Special Accommodation:

Any student with a disability who needs an accommodation or other assistance in this course should make an appointment to speak with me as soon as possible.

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