Current course offerings

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Course description

A fundamental principle underlying the Biostatistics program is that a thorough knowledge of biostatistical concepts and methods requires a sound mathematical understanding. To practise effectively as a biostatistician you must be able to read, interpret, evaluate and potentially implement published papers that propose new methods and software for statistical design and analysis. The language of these methods is mathematics. Many people working in various health and medical related fields may not have specialised mathematical training; therefore the program provides instruction not only in the application of biostatistical methods but also in their underlying mathematical foundations. For this reason, the program includes mathematically based foundation units, including this unit 'Foundations of Biostatistics'. This unit covers the foundational mathematical methods and probability distribution concepts necessary for an in depth understanding of biostatistical methods. The unit commences with an introduction to mathematical expressions, followed by the fundamental calculus techniques of differentiation and integration, and essential elements of matrix algebra. The concepts and rules of probability are then introduced, followed by the application of the calculus methods covered earlier in the unit to calculate fundamental quantities of probability distributions, such as mean and variance. Random variables, their meaning and use in biostatistical applications is presented, together with the role of numerical simulation as a tool to demonstrate the properties of random variables.

Archived offerings