BioStatistics from edX

In this undergraduate-level biostatistics course, the learners will be introduced to the use of statistics and study designs in biology. Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to design experimental, quasi-experimental and observational studies that will meet regulatory guidelines; collect, analyze, and interpret data using appropriate statistical tools. These are skills utilized in bio-statistical research in healthcare as well as other biology related fields. The importance of having these skills is recognized within public health sectors relating to analysis of drug effectiveness and risk factors for different illnesses, effectiveness of heath care interventions as well as helping explain biological phenomena.

In addition to fulfilling requirements in undergraduate college programs, this undergraduate level course also provides future healthcare professionals with foundational coursework required for successful entry into a health professions graduate program or medical school. This course may also spark further interest for the learner towards a more advanced degree in biostatistics. The field of biostatistics provides an increasing opportunity for employment. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field will experience a 14% employment growth between 2010 and 2020.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Identify different types of data, and how it can be collected
Recognize and design simple experiments
Summarize data numerically and graphically using r

Understand the difference between point and interval estimation
Determine and perform correct statistical test
Conclude and interpret the results from those tests

Identify different types of data, and how it can be collected
Recognize and design simple experiments
Summarize data numerically and graphically using r
Understand the difference between point and interval estimation
Determine and perform correct statistical test
Conclude and interpret the results from those tests

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Meets regulatory guidelines and develops skills required for successful entry into a health professions graduate program or medical school, which can be useful for a future career in healthcare research or clinical practice

Provides an in-depth study of biostatistics and bioinformatics which may be useful for pursuing further education or research in healthcare

Provides foundational coursework required for successful healthcare professionals, which is useful for learners who are already in healthcare or want to work in allied healthcare

Develops foundational skills in experimental design and data analysis utilizing R, which are useful in healthcare research and other biology-related fields

May interest learners in pursuing a more advanced degree in biostatistics, which is a growing field with an increasing demand for skilled professionals

Taught by experienced educators, Michael Kangas, who is a Senior Biostatistician at the University of Washington Department of Biostatistics

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in BioStatistics with these activities:

Practice solving biostatistical problems

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This activity will help you to improve your problem-solving skills and to become more confident in your ability to apply biostatistical methods.

Browse courses on Statistical Analysis

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Find a set of biostatistical practice problems.
Solve the problems using the appropriate statistical methods.
Check your answers against the answer key.

Read 'Introduction to Biostatistics' by Chap T. Le

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This book provides a concise overview of the key concepts and methods in biostatistics, making it a great resource for building a foundation in the subject.

View Introductory Biostatistics on Amazon

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Read the first three chapters of the book.
Complete the practice problems at the end of each chapter.
Summarize the main concepts covered in each chapter.

Supplement your knowledge with online tutorials

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Explore guided tutorials online to solidify your understanding of data collection and analysis techniques.

Browse courses on Data Collection Methods

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Identify reputable online courses and tutorials
Follow expert instructions on essential concepts
Apply your newfound knowledge to practice exercises

Seven other activities

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Design and conduct a simple experiment

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This project will give you hands-on experience in designing and conducting a biostatistical experiment, which is a valuable skill for any biologist.

Browse courses on Experimental Design

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Choose a research question that you want to investigate.
Design an experiment to test your hypothesis.
Collect data from your experiment.
Analyze your data using appropriate statistical methods.
Write a report on your findings.

Volunteer at a biostatistical research center

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This activity will provide you with valuable hands-on experience in biostatistical research and will allow you to network with other biostatisticians.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Find a biostatistical research center that is looking for volunteers.
Contact the center and express your interest in volunteering.
Complete the necessary volunteer training.
Assist the researchers with their projects.

Sharpen your statistical skills through practice exercises

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Engaging in practice drills will refine your ability to perform accurate statistical analysis and draw meaningful conclusions.

Browse courses on Hypothesis Testing

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Access online platforms or textbooks for practice questions
Solve a variety of statistical problems independently
Review your answers and identify areas for improvement

Create a presentation on a biostatistical topic

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This activity will help you to solidify your understanding of a biostatistical topic and to develop your communication skills.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Choose a biostatistical topic that you are interested in.
Research your topic and gather information.
Create a presentation that is clear, concise, and engaging.
Practice your presentation and get feedback from others.

Mentor a younger student in biostatistics

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This activity will help you to solidify your understanding of biostatistics and to develop your leadership skills.

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Find a younger student who is interested in biostatistics.
Meet with the student regularly to discuss their coursework and provide guidance.
Help the student to develop their problem-solving skills.
Encourage the student to pursue their interests in biostatistics.

Create a data visualization to demonstrate your understanding

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By visualizing data, you will enhance your ability to interpret and communicate statistical findings effectively.

Browse courses on Data Visualization Tools

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Choose a dataset and identify relevant variables
Select an appropriate visualization tool
Create a visually appealing and informative data visualization
Present your visualization and explain your findings

Write a paper on a biostatistical topic

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This activity will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of a biostatistical topic and to develop your writing skills.

Browse courses on Statistical Modeling

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Choose a biostatistical topic that you are interested in.
Research your topic and gather information.
Write a paper that is well-organized, well-written, and well-argued.
Get feedback on your paper from others.

Career center

Learners who complete BioStatistics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Biostatistician

The work of Biostatisticians is on the front lines of healthcare. From designing experiments to analyzing data and interpreting results to help guide medical decision making, a Biostatistician plays an essential role in the advancement and practice of healthcare. This BioStatistics course can help you build foundational knowledge that can help you in this role. By learning to summarize data numerically and graphically, understand the difference between point and interval estimation, and perform correct statistical tests, you can build a foundation for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Data Analyst

Data Analysts play a crucial role in making sense of data in nearly any industry, helping organizations make better decisions. This BioStatistics course can help you build skills that will be foundational to your success as a Data Analyst. By learning how to collect, analyze, and interpret data using appropriate statistical tools, you can become proficient in the core skills of a Data Analyst.

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Epidemiologist

An Epidemiologist role is focused around the study of the causes of health problems in groups of people. Furthermore, this role analyzes patterns of health events and diseases, and applies this information to the prevention and control of diseases and other health problems. This BioStatistics course can help you build foundational knowledge in statistics and data analysis that is highly relevant to doing the work of an Epidemiologist.

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Medical Scientist

Medical Scientists are responsible for studying the causes and effects of diseases, often specializing in a particular disease or group of diseases. By learning how to design experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational studies that will meet regulatory guidelines, you can enter this field with the knowledge necessary to conduct and evaluate studies of disease.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Scientist

Public Health Analyst

Public Health Analysts help protect the health of communities by tracking the spread of diseases, identifying environmental hazards, and developing programs to prevent or control health problems. They rely on data to inform decision-making and develop effective health policies. This BioStatistics course can help you build a foundation in the principles of biostatistics, enabling you to be proficient in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, skills that are foundational to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Analyst

Bioinformatician

A Bioinformatician is a professional who has knowledge in both biology and information technology. The work of a Bioinformatician often involves using computational tools and techniques to analyze large datasets of biological data. With a foundation in the use of statistics and study designs in biology, you can be well prepared to contribute to projects such as mapping genomes, discovering new drugs, and improving our understanding of diseases.

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Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants provide guidance on a range of issues, including strategic planning, operational improvement, and financial management. With the knowledge and skills from this BioStatistics course, you can develop a better understanding of the statistical aspects of healthcare, including the analysis of drug effectiveness and risk factors for different illnesses. This will be helpful for your work in advising healthcare organizations on best practices and strategies for improvement.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers play a key role in understanding consumer behavior and trends. They collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights that help businesses make informed decisions. This BioStatistics course will help you build the skills to collect, summarize, and analyze data, which are essential skills for success as a Market Researcher.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

In a Quality Assurance Analyst role, you help to ensure that products or services meet quality standards. You may be involved in the development and implementation of quality control procedures, as well as the analysis of data to identify and resolve quality issues. This BioStatistics course will help you build skills in data analysis and interpretation, which you can use to enhance quality and efficiency.

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Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts help organizations identify, assess, and mitigate risks. They may be involved in the development and implementation of risk management plans, as well as the analysis of data to identify and prioritize risks. This BioStatistics course will help you build skills in the analysis and interpretation of data, which you can use to understand and assess risks more effectively.

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory Affairs Specialists ensure that products or services comply with government regulations. They may be involved in the preparation and submission of regulatory documentation, as well as the communication of regulatory requirements to internal and external stakeholders. This BioStatistics course will help you build skills in the analysis and interpretation of data to understand and comply with regulatory guidelines.

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Statistician

Statisticians use mathematical and statistical techniques to collect, analyze, and interpret data. They may be involved in a variety of fields, such as finance, healthcare, and marketing. This BioStatistics course can be helpful for building a foundation in the principles of statistics, which can be beneficial for a career as a Statistician.

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Teacher

BioStatistics can be helpful for building the foundational knowledge of statistics necessary to effectively teach the subject. This course will provide you with a strong understanding of the different types of data, how to collect data, and how to analyze and interpret data using appropriate statistical tools.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation that explains complex technical information to a non-technical audience. With a foundation in statistics, you can be well prepared to write clear and concise documentation about statistical methods and results.

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Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess risk and uncertainty. With a foundation in statistics, you can be well prepared to use these techniques to solve real-world problems in fields such as insurance, finance, and healthcare.

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