Course Syllabus

Contact Information

Michael Anderson

Associate Professor

Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OUHSC)

Office Hours: 

Tuesdays 1:15-2:15pm (PHSC room #519), Wednesdays 4-5pm (Zoom), and Thursdays 10-11am (Zoom), and by appointment (email Ms. Goode to request an appointment)

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/96507603017?pwd=dm0wRkU3YzcvU2JnVTNRdjFid0Vkdz09

Passcode: 01415900

Phone: (405) 271-2229 ext 50498

Email: Michael.P.Anderson-1@ou.edu or cgoode@ou.edu

Live Session: Zarrow Hall, Room 120, T/R noon-1:15pm

 

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Course Details

This course introduces students to the role of data and statistics in public health. The readings and assignments in this course are designed to strengthen students’ ability to understand and utilize existing data and statistical research, as well as introducing the foundational skills necessary in data collection, data management, statistical analysis, reporting, and data visualization. This course will also give students the opportunity to learn about the CDC, their data collection and reporting efforts, and introduce students to their statistical software, Epi-Info. As this is an introductory course for biostatistics, students are not expected to have previous training in statistics, but prior coursework in statistics or mathematics may be useful.

Course Prerequisites 

 ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213; PHCH 2013 Intro to Public & Community Health

Course Materials

• Lisa M. Sullivan. Essentials of Biostatistics in Public Health. 3^rd Edition. Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• MS Excel
• R (https://www.r-project.org/ free powerful statistics software)
• Epi Info (free CDC run statistics software for Windows, but not for Apple or mobile) https://www.cdc.gov/epiinfo/index.html
• Other materials posted on Canvas.

 

Grades

Breakdown

 

1. Weekly Assignments (10 of 12) 20%
2. Tests (2) 40%
3. Project presentation (group) 20%
4. Project report (group) 20%

 

Scale

This course will use the traditional letter grade option without the use of pluses or minuses. Therefore, final grades will consist of the following: A, B, C, D, F. Grades will be calculated based on the standard formula (90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; 59% and below = F). Grades between these cutoffs (i.e. 89.2%) will be rounded to the next highest grade category.  Late assignments will be graded zero unless there are serious and verifiable extenuating circumstances.

Course Components

Participation and Attendance: 

The assigned readings and other supplemental materials are provided for each week of class. Attendance in this course is expected for those who wish to be successful in the class. Students are expected to come to class having read the materials and completed any other assignments as listed in the weekly modules on Canvas. Readings and assignments will always be posted on the CANVAS course site. If you do not see something, contact me immediately.

 Weekly Assignments: 

This course covers a wide range of material, much of which may be unfamiliar. Weekly assignments are designed to improve comprehension through the application of the materials discussed in class and in the readings. These weekly assignments will vary in their scope, with some focusing on statistical concepts and others focusing on case studies and policy issues. Weekly assignments are due on Thursday at midnight (11:59 pm), as listed on the Canvas page.  Late assignments will not be accepted without a verifiable university approved excuse, however; the 2 lowest assignment grades will be dropped.

Tests:

The tests for this class will be focused mostly on public health terminology, comprehension of existing quantitative work, and data analysis skills. The in-class exams will explore students’ understanding of the foundational concepts used in public health research and in the collection and dissemination of public health data. Each test will have an in-class portion and a take home portion.  This is to allow assessment of concepts and some limited calculation in class as well as assessment of students’ use of software in realistic data sets for the take home portion. On in-class examinations you will never be permitted to use your notes, textbooks, or any other study aids.  All you will need for the in-class exam is a calculator and pencil. Take home exams will be open notes, open software but you many not discuss it with anyone else (ie other students, faculty, online forums, anyone!). Each in-class exam will be held on a Tuesday and the take home portion will be due the following Thursday.

Project:

Students will work in groups on projects that will require teams to use health data and statistics in a real-world application. The materials and specifics of these projects will be discussed in class at length. Students will present the findings from their project to the class, then will be able to turn in a written report on the project (after presenting to allow time to fix issues) as their final exam. Do not wait until the in-class work time to begin or you will not complete the project.  The instructor will not help you with the project the day of the presentations or the day the written report is due. 

Course Policies

Communication

 When emailing your professors, please be courteous and professional.  Make sure to identify your class (you may be in more than one of my classes) and word or phrase for what you want to discuss in the subject line, example, Re: 3313 biostat info question).  I try to respond to emails quickly, but meetings and life happen.  I will not answer late night/early morning emails, and I am very unlikely to respond on the weekend.

 

Late Policy

Late assignments will not be accepted without a verifiable university approved excuse, however; the 2 lowest assignment grades will be dropped.

 

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University Academic Policies and Student Support

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalogue.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Academic Misconduct

In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Student Handbook. 

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.

This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.

Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.

If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability.  Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.

Title IX Resources  

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. 

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.

Copyright Policy

It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Grievances

In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.