Statistics 503

Statistical Methods for Biology

Fall 2008, Section 1

Course Outline

This is an introductory statistics course for life sciences majors. The topics to be covered include data summaries, elementary probability theory, basic statistical inference, and selected simple statistical methods in a variety of settings. To facilitate practical data analysis using the techniques learned in this course, the use of some open-source software will be demonstrated in class.

Textbook

• An Introduction to Biostatistics, by Glover and Mitchell.
  
  The book was published in 2002 by McGraw-Hill (ISBN 0072418419), and reissued in 2006 by Waveland Press (ISBN 1577664582).
  
  You could search for good deals online at sites such as www.bestbookdeal.com and www.abebooks.com, though I am not endorsing any of these sites.

References

• An Introduction to R, by the R Development Core Team.
• Using R for Data Analysis and Graphics - An Introduction, by Maindonald.

Course Work

There will be two midterms and a comprehensive final. There will also be some in-class quizzes mostly on Mondays, and weekly homework assignments. All exams and quizzes are open-book open-notes, and you do need a calculator that works.

Grading Policy

The letter grade will be decided on the basis of homeworks (10%), quizzes (10%), midterms (2 x 25%), and the final (30%).

Calendar

Click here for the due dates of homework assignments and the schedules of quizzes and exams.

Homework Assignments

Click here for the homework assignments and related information.

Late Homework Policy

Late homework will not be accepted under any circumstances at anytime for any reason except in the case of documented medical emergency. Proof of medical emergency will be required at the time late homework is turned in. If late homework is turned in without talking to the instructor, it will be returned ungraded.

Lecture Slides

Click here for the slides I will be using in the lectures. The slides are very sketchy. These can be good review materials afterwards, but not so much as learning materials without the verbal explanations to be delivered in the lectures.