Biological and Medical Statistics

Annotation

The discipline “Biological and Medical Statistics” is designed to form a complete system of knowledge for students about modern approaches to the statistical analysis of biomedical data and the basics of probability theory, without knowledge of which mastering the methods of statistical analysis is simply unthinkable. Knowledge of the basics of mathematical statistics, their confident and correct application of knowledge in this area is simply mandatory for biologists and physicians, who very often face similar problems in practice.

What will be studied

A detailed course syllabus can be found at link. The program includes seven sections, which include 11 lectures (2 academic hours each) and 7 practical classes (4 academic hours each). Successful mastery of the discipline also involves independent homework. Course sections:

• Basic of the theory of probability. Probability distribution function and probability density function. Central limit theorem. The law of large numbers.
• Basic statistics terminology. Descriptive statistics. Graphical representation of data. Data normalization and standardization.
• Parameter estimation and hypothesis testing. Point estimates of parameters, confidence intervals for the sample mean and variance. Testing the hypothesis about the equality of the means of two populations (t-test), paired t-test, hypothesis about the equality of the variances of two populations (F-test). Statistical criteria. Nonparametric tests.
• ANOVA.
• A measure of the relationship between two variables. Correlation coefficient. Correlation analysis. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. Rank correlation.
• Linear and non-linear regression. Least squares method.
• Modeling discrete and continuous pseudo-random variables.

Requirements for listeners

There are no special requirements for students, but in order to successfully master the discipline, students must know the basics of higher mathematics. Course participants must study the academic disciplines:

• R Programming

Course learning materials

• Author’s lectures
• Laboratory work, accompanied by author’s guidelines for laboratory work (according to options)
• Electronic tests based on course materials (testing)
• Course discussion forum (online resource)
• Teacher consultations (chats and emails)

What is the difference between the course and existing analogues?

A feature of the taught discipline is mastering the techniques of mathematical statistics not using statistical packages and MS Excel, but using the almost limitless possibilities of the R language and libraries.

Teachers

Guest lecturers

Enrollment

Admission to the course is based on the results of an interview. The key selection factor is the applicant’s own motivation. At the same time, it should be noted that the educational program of the course is designed in such a way that the student does not need any special knowledge in the field of mathematics and programming at the start. However, user knowledge of computer technology, as well as basic mathematical knowledge, as well as programming skills, are welcome.

Form, place and time

The training program can be implemented:

• face-to-face;
• using information and communication technologies (remote conferencing such as Zoom);
• in a mixed form (part of the classes are face-to-face, some are using information and communication technologies);
• on-line (using video lectures, video tutorials and self-study activities; this form of learning is under development).

Classes can be held both in the daytime and in the evening by agreement with the students. The choice of the form of education is also consistent with the desires of the students. All forms of conducting classes include, if necessary, individual and group consultations, which can be held both in the classroom and remotely.

Classes are held on the basis of the State Educational Institution “Institute for Advanced Studies and Retraining in the Field of Informatization and Management Technologies” Belarusian State University.

Course venue: Institute for Advanced Studies and Retraining of Belarusian State University, Minsk, st. Kalvariyskaya, d. 9, room. 730.

Time:

• day time: maximum 5 days a week – 8 academic hours per day (academic hour – 40 minutes) from 9:00 to 18:00. The optimal is 4 academic hours two or three times a week. The exact time and number of classes depends on the workload of classrooms and teachers.;
• evening time: 4 academic hours from 18 to 20-50 or from 19 to 21-50.

The condition for enrollment in the course is the conclusion of a contract of the established form.

End of course

After successfully completing each course, students receive a state-recognised professional development certificate.

Contacts

Victor Skakun

Tel.: +375 17 326 7042
Email: skakun@bsu.by

Contacts of the institute (for enrollment).

Email email: Klimova@bsu.by
Tel.: 259-70-59
Address: Minsk, st. Kalvariyskaya, d. 9, room. 826