Course Syllabus

Fundamental concepts and applications of statistics. This course and BSE 5173 serve as an introduction to all higher level courses in statistics. This course makes use of the JMP statistical package 

College algebra and ability to use computer spreadsheet or instructor permission.  Students who seek late enrollment in the course must obtain instructor permission to enroll.

All students are required to complete the math self-assessment quiz. If your score is less than 80%, you are strongly encouraged to study the Math Bootcamp materials available on Canvas. The Math Bootcamp materials can be accessed by following the directions below. To join the course, simply click on the following link.

Lecture/Discussion

Laptop Requirements

University policy requires and the Office of Civil Rights expects that any portable computing device that is used for University business is encrypted and registered in accordance with the Health Sciences Center's Portable Computing Device Security policy and the Wireless Access Standard requirements. University business includes but is not limited to using OUHSC email; accessing ePHI; and creating, storing, or sharing, treatment notes, medical records, and case notes from classroom or clinical experiences.The laptop requirements set forth by the Hudson College of Public Health as well as other IT resources are available here.

See the most recent Student Handbook section “Laptop Computer Requirements For All Public Health Students” 

Required Calculator:

All students are required to have a scientific calculator which can perform combinations and permutations. Recommendations include the TI30XA, TI30XIIS, or the TI-36X. Note that calculators on smart phones, tablets, or any other devices with internet connectivity (tablets, smart watches, etc.), are not allowed during exam period.

Required Statistical Software:

All students are required to install JMP® software (v. 17.2) on their computer. There is no cost for this program since there is a University-wide license. It is available for Windows and Mac. The software can be accessed from here

Follow directions in the PowerPoint

• • Slides JMP installation.pptx

Note that you may need admin privileges on your machine to complete the installation and activation.  If you have any issues with download or license, contact, University of Oklahoma: Information Technology (OUIT) at the following link: Information Technology.

1. Explain the definition, concept, and use of biostatistics in public health
2. Characterize the language, symbols, and definitions used in statistics
3. Contrast different measurement scales and how they impact which statistical methods are appropriate
4. Apply descriptive statistics to summarize and describe public health data
5. Describe basic probability concepts and distributions
6. Explain random sampling and its relationship with sampling distributions
7. Discuss the differences and appropriate uses for confidence intervals and hypothesis testing
8. Apply and interpret inferential methodologies to public health data
9. Describe alternatives to commonly used statistical methods when the assumptions for the methodologies are not met
10. Specify the appropriate technique for defined research question and interpret the results for public health and lay audiences
11. Give an example (including interpretation of results) for the most commonly used statistical techniques
12. Utilize JMP statistical software to store and retrieve data, to create descriptive plots and calculate summary statistics, to apply methods of analysis discussed in learning modules to a dataset, and be able to interpret results

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Distance: Content is offered 100% online or via interactive video. Distance is defined as using one or more of the following technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor, synchronously or asynchronously. 

Required Textbook

Wayne W. Daniel; Chad L. Cross. Biostatistics: A Foundation for Analysis in the Health Sciences 11th Edition, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2019.

• Paperback ISBN: 978-1-119-28237-2
  • Please note that only the ISBN for paperback is listed here. The ISBN for Ebook or other digital formats may differ in the last several numbers.

Additional readings will be provided in the course modules

 

Required Calculator:

All students are required to have a scientific calculator which can perform combinations and permutations. Recommendations include the TI30XA, TI30XIIS, or the TI-36X. Note that calculators on smart phones, tablets, or any other devices with internet connectivity (tablets, smart watches, etc.), are not allowed during exam period.

Required Statistical Software:

All students are required to install JMP® software (v. 16) on their computer. There is no cost for this program since there is a University-wide license. It is available for Windows and Mac. The software can be accessed from here

There are two steps to the installation process (appear in opposite order on webpage):

1. 1. Download the software (see below Install Files for JMP v16, bottom of page)
   2. Activate the software (see below Renewal Files for JMP v16, top of page)

Note that you may need admin privileges on your machine to complete the installation and activation. If there are any issues in installing or setting up JMP, please email the instructor and/or TA for guidance.
Supplemental JMP tutorial videos will be available on the course modules.  Students may view these tutorials to learn more about the features of JMP.

All students are required to complete the math self-assessment quiz. If your score is less than 80%, you are strongly encouraged to study the Math Bootcamp materials available on Canvas. The Math Bootcamp materials can be accessed by following the directions below. To join the course, simply click on the following link: https://canvas.ou.edu/enroll/LPCJBF.

Most weeks in the course, you will be expected to:

• Complete the assigned reading. Be sure to read actively, take notes, and work through the problems. 
• Engage with the video lectures, taking notes and working through the examples illustrated in the videos on scratch paper. 
  
• Complete the homework assigned for the week.
  • Check against the key only after working to complete the homework independently.  Rework the homework again a few days later. 
  • Proficiency comes with practice and each time you work through a problem your brain gets more familiar with the process of problem solving, making it easier to complete a similar problem.
• You will have a quiz most (but not all) weeks.  Make sure you have completed the reading, lecture videos and homework, and feel comfortable with the content, before you take the quiz.

Students are responsible for all information covered in lectures, problem sessions, assigned homework problems, and in the assigned textbook readings. Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of concepts, to complete problems, and to interpret statistical results, especially in the context of a provided research question.

The field of statistics is cumulative; so all topics build on one another. All exams will be cumulative but focused on the new material. Make-up exams will be allowed only in extenuating circumstances; if a student has a valid reason for absence from an exam, they must inform the instructor as far in advance as possible

You can expect to spend 7–9 hours each week on coursework.  This is a class that requires a lot of practice to become comfortable with the new jargon/terminology and proficient in problem solving.

The more you practice the skills learned in the readings, lecture and homework that week, the better prepared you'll be for the quiz, and ultimately, the exams.

Quizzes:

There will be a quiz almost every week covering the lecture and homework assignment. All quizzes will be administered online through Canvas, and one quiz will require the use of JMP for data analysis (this JMP quiz will clearly be indicated as such).  

Quizzes will become available at 8:00 am Monday morning of the week in which the quiz is listed and must be completed by Sunday at 11:59 pm. All quizzes will be open-book and are expected to be done independently. A total of 11 quizzes will be given, and the lowest quiz grade will be dropped (i.e., not counted in your final course grade).

 

Exams: 

Administration: All exams will be administered online via Canvas.

Format: The exams will be a combination of fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and problems. Images of results from JMP will be included on the exams, and students will be expected to correctly report and interpret results from JMP (JMP examples of statistical tests or output will be discussed in lecture before the associated exam). Students may use a scientific calculator, but devices with internet connectivity, e.g., smartphones, tablets, and smart-watches, are not permitted.

Content: Students are responsible for all information covered in lectures, problem sessions, assigned homework problems, and in the assigned textbook readings. Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of concepts, to complete problems, and to interpret statistical results, especially in the context of a provided research question.

The field of statistics is cumulative; so all topics build on one another. All exams will be cumulative but focused on the new material. Make-up exams will be allowed only in extenuating circumstances; if a student has a valid reason for absence from an exam, they must inform the instructor as far in advance as possible.

Preparation: The course teaching assistant will provide a review before each exam. The review date and time will be provided at least one week prior to its scheduled time.

Problem sets and practice exams, similar in style and content to the three planned exams, will be posted to Canvas, along with answer keys

There will be a mid-course and an end-of-course student evaluation.

 

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Grading Scale

 

This table contains a weekly breakdown of the course topics and activities.

Week	Weekly Topic	Activities
1	Introduction and Background Summarizing, Organizing, and Displaying Data	Complete the math self-assessment quiz Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Complete Quiz
2	Summarizing, Organizing, and Displaying Data (cont.)  Introduction to JMP Basic Probability Concepts	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Complete Quiz
3	Basic Probability Concepts (cont.) Probability Distributions: Binomial Distributions	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Complete Quiz
4	Probability Distributions: Binomial and Normal Distributions (cont.)	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Complete Quiz
5	Sampling Distributions	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Complete Quiz
6	Exam 1
7	Estimation and Confidence Intervals	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework
8	Estimation and Confidence Intervals: Continued	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Mid-semester Course Evaluation Complete Quiz
9	Hypothesis Testing	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Complete Quiz
10	Hypothesis Testing: Continued	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Complete Quiz
11	Exam 2 - Covering weeks 1 through 10, focusing on weeks 7 thorough 10
12	Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Complete Quiz
13	Correlation and Regression	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework End of Course Evaluation Complete Quiz
14	Review: z-test for a single proportion z-test for two independent proportions   New: Analysis of Frequency Data - 2 tests	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework Complete Quiz
15	Nonparametric tests	Complete Readings Watch Lecture Complete Homework
16	Final Comprehensive Exam

 

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This syllabus is intended as a guide for this course. Dates, assignments, and evaluation are subject to revision by the instructor. Any such revisions will be announced in advance

Updated 8-28-2023

This syllabus and all related course material are protected under US Copyright Law and may not be further disseminated in any form or format without the prior explicit written consent of the faculty member. Failure to comply with this provision may subject the student to disciplinary action and/or state or federal action. 

Ethical and professional behaviors are considered a core competency in an academic program and thus are key factors in a student’s good academic standing. Upon acceptance of an offer of admission, the student commits to comply with all professional conduct regulations established by the University, respective college, and program.  
The complete Student Professional Behavior in an Academic Program policy is at www.ouhsc.edu/provost/documents/FacultyHandbookOUHSC.pdf.

The Academic Misconduct Code describes academic misconduct as any acts intended to improperly affect the evaluation of a student’s academic performance or achievement. Academic Misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, fraud, destruction, bribery or intimidation, assisting others in any act proscribed by the Code, or attempting to engage in such acts.  
The policy and procedures related to academic misconduct are detailed in the Academic Misconduct Code found in Appendix C of the Faculty Handbook at www.ouhsc.edu/provost/documents/FacultyHandbookOUHSC.pdf.

The Academic Appeals policy outlines the procedure a student must follow to request a hearing for appeals related to evaluation in a course, thesis or dissertation defense, or general or comprehensive exam. It also outlines the appeal process for a suspension or dismissal or under the Student Professional Behavior in an Academic Program Policy and for appeals of decisions resulting in dismissal, expulsion, or suspension from a program or of being required to repeat a semester of year. The sole basis for an academic appeal is an alleged prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation or decision. 
Policy and procedure details are in Appendix C of the Faculty Handbook at: www.ouhsc.edu/provost/documents/FacultyHandbookOUHSC.pdf.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to the goal of achieving equal educational opportunity and full participation for students with disabilities. Accommodations on the basis of disability are available by contacting the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) by email at adrc@ou.edu or by calling (405) 325-3852 or Voice (405) 217-3494 (VP). Information on policies and registration with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center may be found on the ADRC website at: www.ou.edu/adrc. Students requesting accommodations related to work in a course must contact the ADRC as soon as possible; accommodations are not made retroactively. 

For issues 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. Information is available from the Institutional Equity Office at (405) 325-2215 (8AM-5PM) or the OU Advocates at (405) 615-0013 (24/7). 

Students needing modifications or adjustments to course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues should contact the college’s Assistant/Associate Dean for Student Affairs (or academic advisor) or the Accessibility and Disability Resources Center (www.ou.edu/adrc) as soon as possible to discuss. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability.  
See www.ou.edu/content/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html for answers to commonly asked questions. 

The student is responsible to submit required University paperwork before the deadlines to drop or withdraw from a course, shown in the Academic Calendar at http://admissions.ouhsc.edu/AcademicCalendar.aspx. Missed homework and examination grades will be entered as a grade of zero if a student fails to formally drop the course or withdraw from the University. 

In advance of examinations, students must check that their laptop or PC includes up-to-date encryption software and the necessary programs for securing the device. Students who obtain new or replacement devices at any time can request access to the Student Virtual Desktop at http://ouhsc.edu/sde. OU IT will grant student access within 24 hours of request submission. Students can log in at https://mydesk.ou.edu. All students should continue to encrypt their devices with Windows 10 and MacOS encryption tools and install anti-virus software.  
Instructions and recommendations are linked at:  

• Windows 10 Encryption
• MacOS Encryption, and
• Anti-Virus Software

If you will be absent from a course activity for any reason, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor as specified by the course syllabus. 

The University of Oklahoma faculty are committed to creating a safe learning environment for all members of our community, free from gender and sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. 

Please note that Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment Policy designates all faculty members, including teaching assistants, as “Mandatory Reporter OR Responsible Employees.” Under the Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment Policy all Mandatory Reporter OR Responsible Employees” must report all disclosures of sex or gender-based discrimination or violence to the University’s Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator will reach out to provide resources, support, and information after receiving a report, but community members are not required to respond to such outreach. Reported information will remain private. 

If you have (or someone you know has) experienced any form of sex or gender-based discrimination or violence and wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates at 405-615-0013, HSC Student Counseling Services at 405-271-7336, or Student Health Services, call 405-271-9675. For more information regarding the University of Oklahoma’s Title IX procedures, reporting, or support measures, please visit the Institutional Equity Office, or call 405-325-3546. 

Disclosures of gender and sex-based discrimination or violence made in relation to an assignment and/or educational prompt will not result in a referral to the University of Oklahoma’s Title IX Coordinator unless requested otherwise. 

The University of Oklahoma complies with all federal and state laws related to the confidentiality of patient and research participant medical information, including the Privacy and Security Regulations issued pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Students are required to comply with these laws and related University policies and procedures, including the HIPAA Privacy and Security policies http://ouhsc.edu/hipaa/policies.asp. Students are required to complete the University’s mandatory annual HIPAA training at http://ouhsc.edu/hipaa. Students must also comply with the related policies and procedures of their departments and any facilities in which they rotate. 

Students, as members of the University community, have the responsibility to ensure the integrity and ethical standards of any research activity with which they are associated directly or of which they have sufficient knowledge to determine its appropriateness.  
Students are governed by the Policy on Ethics in Research (Faculty Handbook Section 3.25) at www.ouhsc.edu/provost/documents/FacultyHandbookOUHSC.pdf. 

In a Distance Learning Classroom (DLC), a student’s voice, physical presence, materials, and participation in classroom activities may be transmitted to distance learning sites and videotaped or digitally captured. DLC video/digital archives are used internally by the University for educational and informational purposes. 

 

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma fosters an inclusive culture of respect and civility, belonging, and access, which are essential to our collective pursuit of excellence and our determination to change lives. The unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community enrich the learning, and working environment at OU, inspiring us to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere. 

 

Information for students regarding the MPH Foundational Competencies and Concentration Competencies:

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) has stated in its Accreditation Criteria (https://media.ceph.org/documents/2021.Criteria.pdf) that all MPH graduates must demonstrate the 22 foundational competencies listed under Criterion D2, as well as concentration competencies defined by the college or department for each degree track. The Hudson College of Public Health foundational competencies and concentration competencies are listed at https://publichealth.ouhsc.edu/Current-Students/Experiential-Learning-Competencies-and-Exams/Competencies 
 
The following grids list the CEPH foundational competencies and the department’s concentration competencies covered in this course, and indicate where in the course these competencies will be imparted and assessed.

 

 

Evaluation of Student Mastery of Competency

Knowledge Area/Competency		Lecture Week	Homework Weeks	JMP Module Weeks	Discussion Weeks	Quizzes	Exams	Primary/ Reinforce
CEPH Foundational Competency 3	Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	2, 7-10, 12-14	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	Quiz 1-9, JMP quiz	Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3	P: Wk 1-15 R: Wk 2-16
CEPH Foundational Competency 4	Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	2, 7-10, 12-14	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	Quiz 1-9, JMP quiz	Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3	P: Wk 1-15 R: Wk 2-16
MPH Biostat.4	Apply concepts of probability, random variation and statistical probability distributions commonly used in public health practice and biomedical research	2-5, 7-10, 12-15	2-5, 7-10, 12-15	2, 7-8, 10, 12-14	1, 7, 9, 12, 14	Quiz 1-9, JMP quiz	Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3	P: Wk 1-15 R: Wk 2-16
Biostat.MS 2	Determine and implement the most appropriate method of statistical analysis reflecting a given question of interest, the study design and the available data, and interpret results	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	2, 7-10, 12-14	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	Quiz 1-9, JMP quiz	Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3	P: Wk 1-15 R: Wk 2-16
Biostat.MS 3	Use computer software and/or programming languages for the application of existing statistical methods in novel ways and for processing, summarizing, analyzing and displaying complex public health or biomedical data and research results	2-5, 7-10, 12-15		2, 7-10, 12-14	2-5, 7-10, 12-15	JMP quiz	Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3	P: Wk 2-15 R: Wk 3-15
IH 4	Select and use appropriate strategies and methods for quantitative and qualitative exposure assessment, and apply statistical principles to the collection and interpretation of industrial hygiene, safety, and environmental data.	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	2, 7-10, 12-14	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	Quiz 1-9, JMP quiz	Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3	P: Wk 1-15 R: Wk 2-16
HPS MS 2	Understand and implement quantitative research techniques including use of computer assisted statistical packages, statistical method selection and selected statistical methods such as chi-square, t-tests, and analysis of variance.	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	2, 7-10, 12-14	1-5, 7-10, 12-15	Quiz 1-9, JMP quiz	Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3	P: Wk 1-15 R: Wk 2-16

 

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