Vår 2020

HEL-3070 Biostatistics II - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Institutt for samfunnsmedisin

Type of course

This course is a mandatory course for students at the Master's degree programme in Public Health. Course students may be admitted if total number of students do not exceed the regulated 30 number of students at the course.

Course overlap

STA-2004 Statistical Methods 2.5 stp

Course contents

The course will focus on four different methods (analysis of variance including repeated measurements, regression analysis, logistic regression analysis and survival analysis); using SPSS

Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester. Applicants from outside the Nordic countries: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Admission requirements

Recommended prerequisite: HEL-3006 Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Admission criteria: Basic medical statistics (HEL-1002 or equivalent) Other: The same as for the Master's programme in Public Health. See the programme page. Application Code: 9371

Objective of the course

The course will teach the students modern statistical methods of analysis commonly used in clinical and epidemiological research. The students shall be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

- Analyse data using the methods multivariable linear regression, logistic regression, and analysis of survival data (included Kaplan-Meier survival function, log rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression).

Skills and competences

- Prepare a set of raw data for statistical analysis - Provide relevant descriptive statistics corresponding to the selected model of analysis - Identify different types of explanatory variables and correctly implement them in a regression model. - Select the correct analysis method to study the relationship between one or more explanatory variables on one response variable.

General Proficiency

- Master the most commonly used regression analyses methods in clinical and epidemiological research. - Differentiate between the effect sizes from the various regression models and interpret the results. - Evaluate the model assumptions of the regression models. - Evaluate results from publications in medical journals where the different regression models are applied, and critically assess the validity of its use.

Language of instruction

English

Teaching methods

There are three mandatory student-gatherings, where each of them lasts three days. Lectures are combined with analysing sets of data using SPSS. Attendance to lectures and seminars is mandatory. The lectures will be given in English.

Assessment

Assignments: The students have to pass two written assignments before they are allowed to take the exam. The assignments are individual exercises, and will be handed out at the end of the first and second gathering. The students will have 2 weeks for working with the assignments, which will be graded as approved or not approved. Assignments are to be handed in on Fronter and must be approved in order to take the exam. Attendance to lectures and seminars is mandatory.

Exam: The final exam consists of one 6 hour written university-based exam. The student can write the assignments and exam in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. Grading scale: A-E equals passed, F equals failed.

If a student fails the course, an examination re-sit will be organised. Students with valid absence from the exam will be offered a re-scheduled examination. See examination regulations.

Date for examination

Written test 15.05.2020

The date for the exam can be changed. The final date will be announced at your faculty early in May and early in November.