Statistical Reasoning in Public Health II (140.612)

Second Term, 2008-2009


Course time: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30 - 11:50 am
Course room: Becton-Dickinson Auditorium (W1020, Wolfe Street Building)
Related Web Pages: Course Schedule :  up to date course schedule, as well as .pdf copies of everything handed out in class.
Homeworks/Exam Solutions:  Also includes a comprehensive set of review questions and solutions. Homework/exam solutions posted after due date/exam date.
Narrated Streaming Lectures:  This his page contains links for the narrated slides used in the distance ed version of the class.
Lecture Recordings:  relive the class experience via your IPOD! Digitized versions of in class lectures.
Instructor: John McGready
Teaching Assistants: Victor Ssempijja and George Wu.
Office hours: John McG :       12:15-1:30 pm, Tuesday and Thursday: Room W4007 Wolfe St
Victor:            12:15-1:30 pm, Wednesday: Room W4007 Wolfe St
George:            5:00 - 6:00 pm, Tuesday: Room W4007 Wolfe St
Brief Course Sescription: This introductory course is intended to provide students with a broad overview of biostatistical methods and concepts used in the public health sciences. The emphasis is on interpretation and concepts rather than calculations or mathematical details.
Prerequisites: Basic algebra skills, and an interest in understanding biostatistical methods at a conceptual level.
Course Readings: Readings via e-reserves
CLICK HERE:  to access course ereserves. The password is 140612sph .
CLICK HERE:to view the suggested readings list (also included on ereserves page).
Reference Textbooks
Practical Statistics For Medical Research, Douglas Altman. (1991) Introduction to the Practice of Statistics, David Moore, George McCabe. (2003)
Statistics, David Freeman, Robert Pisani, Roger Purves. (1998)
Intuitive Biostatistics, Harvey Motulsky. (1995)
Fundamentals of Biostatistics,Bernard Rosner. (2000)
Principles of Biostatistics, Marcello Pagano , Kimberlee Gauvreau. (2000)
All of the above textbooks are on reserve at the Lilienfeld Library (Hampton House, 9th floor)
Grades: Grades will be based on 3 homework assignments 16.6% each, 50% total), 1 midterm quiz (20% total) and 1 final examination (30%) .
Homeworks
There will be 3 homework assignments. These must be handed in on time. No late homeworks will be accepted! Homeworks must be typed or word-processed. You may discuss ways to approach homework with other students or TAs. However, each homework assingmentmust be your own independent work. Homeworks may be handed on the due date in the collection box located across the hall from the Biostatistics main office Room E-3527. Solutions will be posted to the course webpage shortly after the due date and time.
Quizzes and Final Exam
These will be closed book. There will be a midterm quiz and a final exam. The midterm quiz will count for 20% and the final will count 30% of your course grade. The midterm quiz will be about 60 minutes, and you will have up to 90 minutes to complete the final exam.

Missed Quizzes: There are no make-up exams. If you miss an exam for a medical or other serious reason, please give notice to John McGready.