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Introductory statistics with specific examples for biologists. This course is required for all students in BIOL.
The overall aim of BIOL209 is to introduce you to presentation of results, statistical analyses andinterpretation of experimental data, as they apply to biological research. The biological focus applies both to the choice of relevant methods and the specific examples discussed. The examples will cover a wide range of biology, from biochemistry to ecology, so that the course is applicable across all biological disciplines. One aim of the course is to prepare students for undergraduate analytical exercises, postgraduate research and jobs in research organisations. BIOL209 progresses from concepts of central tendency probability distributions, then on to hypothesis testing of various types.
As a student in this course, I will develop the ability to:1. A clear understanding of basic statistical principles (assessment: lab quizzes, midterm test, final exam)Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic discipline, Employable, innovative and enterprising.2. Proficiency in the transcription and manipulation of data (assessment: lab quizzes, midterm test, final exam)Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic discipline, Employable, innovative and enterprising3. A basic understanding of a wide range of parametric and non-parametric statistical tests (assessment: lab quizzes, final exam)Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic discipline, Biculturally Competent and Confident (kaupapa 1), Employable, innovative and enterprising4. Proficiency in the analysis of a wide range of biological data, including the ability to place the data in an appropriate context (assessment: lab quizzes, midterm test, final exam)Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic discipline, Employable, innovative and enterprising, Biculturally Competent and Confident (kaupapa 1, 3, 5)5.Ability to use R to process and analyze data (assessment: lab quizzes, final exam)Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic discipline, Employable, innovative and enterprisingTransferable Skills RegisterAs a student in this course, I will develop the following skills:Understand statistical results presented in research papers and technical reports. The ability to critically evaluate and interpret statistical information is not only essential in higher-level courses but is a part of everyday life. (assessment: lab quizzes, final exam) Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic discipline, Employable, innovative and enterprisingAbility to apply basic concepts in exploratory data analysis. This ability is important for distinguishing between different types of data, methods of summarising data both graphically and through summary statistics. (assessment: lab quizzes, midterm test, final exam)Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic discipline, Employable, innovative and enterprisingKnowledge of the basics of collecting data and generating descriptive statistics. This skill is essential for all higher-level courses that include laboratory or field based research activities. (assessment: lab quizzes, midterm test, final exam)Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic disciplineAbility to apply the appropriate test and draw appropriate conclusions from the test output. This ability is important aspect of research and its application. (assessment: lab quizzes, final exam) Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic discipline, Employable, innovative and enterprisingInterpretation and communication skills. The ability to describe what the results mean in the context of the problem and being able to explain the results to someone else is essential for any professional career. (assessment: lab quizzes, final exam) Related Graduate Attributes and Kaupapa: Critically competent in the core academic discipline, Employable, innovative and enterprising
STAT101 or 15 points of 100 level MATH
Feedback from previous Course SurveysThe course has not had a course survey in the last couple of years (we hope to this year). But feedback during the course helps us to improve the course. If you have any positive or negative comments, feel free to bring them to the lecturer, or Sarah Flanagan as course coordinator, at any time. If you want to make a complaint anonymously, the lab demonstrators will act on your information in confidence, or approach a staff-student liaison person in the School of Biological Sciences. However, we try to be approachable. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any problems about your work, or any personal difficulties. If a problem does arise, it is important to let one of us know as soon as possible so that corrective action can be taken quickly.
Sarah Flanagan
Daniel Stouffer and David Schiel
Crawley, Michael J; Statistics : an introduction using R ; Second edition; John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2014.
Course Outline
Domestic fee $910.00
International fee $4,438.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Biological Sciences .