Biostatistical Applications for Public Health

This is an introductory course in the application of biostatistical principles to the critical analysis of retrospective studies, prospective studies, controlled clinical trials, and studies in the health services literature.

This course focuses on the logical basis of biostatistical methods and addresses how to select an appropriate statistical method based on given data, perform calculations of basic statistical procedures for estimation and inference, and interpret the results of statistical analysis.

Among the topics covered are multinomial experiments, contingency table analysis, correlation, linear regression, analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and logistic regression.

After successful completion of PUBH 6002 students will be able to …
• understand the fundamental concepts and methods of biostatistics
• select appropriate statistical methods for a particular dataset
• perform calculations of basic statistical procedures for estimation and inference
• interpret the results of statistical analysis
• understand numbers in published literature and health news properly

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. Instead a complete set of notes will be made available.

The notes will be made available on a weekly basis on Blackboard. The notes are in HTML format and will open in your default browser.

The notes contain computer code. The code is used to do the calculations and create plots. YOU MAY IGNORE THE CODE. This course in a pen-and-paper course and not a course in computer software or computer languages.

Calculations in this course are purely algebraic. You must write down all the steps in your calculations. All calculations can be performed using this online calculator is used in class demonstrations.

The course starts with a math refresher that will be uploaded to blackboard with instructions for submission. The deadline for submission is Sunday, January 19, 2025 at midnight.

There are three quizzes during the semester. The dates and times are listed in the Important Dates and in the Weekly Schedule sections below. Quizzes are simple, short answer questions and will not take a long time to complete. Quizzes will be made available on Blackboard with instructions on submission before the closing data. All quizzes can be done at home.

There are three homework assignments. Only your best two scores will count towards the final grade, with your worst score being dropped. These are typically longer questions that will task you with performing statistical calculations and tests. Homework assignments will be made available on Blackboard with instructions on submission before the closing data. All homework assignments can be done at home.

The final exam will also be uploaded to Blackboard during the exam week on a date and time to be announced. The exam will be open book and you can take it at home.

You can add a bonus 5% to your final grade by completing the optional self-study algebra short-course. More information is available HERE. The final date for submission is at midnight on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Final course grades will be based on the following assessments: a mathematics exam (refresher), three quizzes, three homework assignments, lab participation (attendance and exercise completion), and a final examination.

The weight of each assessment component on the final course grade will be as follows.

• 5% Math refresher
• 10% Class attendance at labs (to be verified by teaching assistants
• 40% Three homework assignments (20% each with omission of worst assignment score)
• 15% Three quizzes (5% each)
• 30% Final examination

An optional self-paced algebra short-course is available for students who feel that they need to refresh their algebra skills. Students who successfully complete this optional short-course will have a 5% added to their final grade. More detail is available HERE.

The letter grades are as follows.

• 94% - 100% receives an A
• 90% - 93% receives an A-
• 87% - 89% receives a B+
• 84% - 86% receives a B
• 80% - 83% receives a B-
• 77% - 79% receives a C+
• 73% - 76% receives a C
• 70% - 72% receives a C-
• Below 70% receives an F

In this 14-week course, you will spend an average of up to 5 hours per week in direct instruction. This includes attending a 3-hour live class session with the course instructor and teaching assistants. Additional asynchronous video material will be made available that demonstrates additional exercise problems.

It is also expected that you will engage in approximately 7.25 hours per week in independent learning, which can include reviewing assigned material, preparing for class discussions, working on assignments, and studying for exams.

All homework assignments, quizzes, examinations, and other graded work products are to be completed in conformance with The George Washington University Code of Academic Integrity. Each student must complete graded assessments on their own and answer all questions in their own words. Collaboration with other students is encouraged for the non-graded assignments (i.e., practice problems). Students registered for this course will be held to the highest standards of academic integrity. Written work submitted by a student must be the product of his/her own efforts. Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty, including dishonesty involving computer technology, are strictly prohibited. 

Although attendance to lecture and lab sessions is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that you make every effort to attend both sessions each week, physically and mentally. Experience has shown that attendance to both types of sessions proves beneficial on homework assignments, quizzes, and the final exam. Please come to all lecture and application sessions prepared to ask questions relevant to the topics being discussed.

Outside of class, you are encouraged to post general questions directly to the Discussions section on Blackboard. Dr. Klopper will post answers in a timely manner. If the question is relevant only to an individual or is of a personal nature, send an email directly to Dr. Klopper (juanklopper@gwu.edu).

All written assignments must be submitted at the beginning of the session on the date due. If you are unable to attend a lecture or application session, you must make prior arrangements to submit your assignment in another manner. Please contact Dr. Klopper via e-mail BEFORE the assignment due date to arrange a drop-off time and location. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 0 on the assignment.

The final examination for this class is scheduled for May 2025 and the specific data will be announced during the semester. There will not be any other alternate date for the final examination, so please plan accordingly. Any student who experiences significant family or personal illness or emergency after the final withdrawal date and is unable to complete course work should ask the instructor for an incomplete for the course. Each case will be managed on an individual basis.