Col lege of Char leston

1. Describe the distinct yet complementary roles of biostatistics and epidemiology.

2. Apply epidemiologic and biostatistical tech-niques to describe the distribution of the determinants of health and disease.

3. Utilize probability concepts to evaluate measures of association between outcomes and exposures related to health and disease.

4. Perform hypothesis testing to answer research questions related to public health.

5. Identify and apply appropriate study designs to answer research questions related to public health.

6. Interpret the results of linear and logistic regression as well as survival anal-yses as applied to public health.

7. Discuss causal theory and determine the difference between evidence of association and evidence of causation.

Spr ing 2017

CO U R S E OB J E C T I V E S

Instructor:

Dr. Leslie Hart

Email: hartlb@cofc.edu

Phone: (843) 953-5191

Prefer contact is email.

Office Hours:

M 9:00 — 11:00 am

T 3:00 — 5:00 pm

(or by Appointment Manager)

Office Location:

Silcox 312

Course Information

HEAL 456 3 credits

Section 01

CRN No. 23504

Silcox 111

TR 9:25-10:40

Section 02

CRN No. 23505

Silcox 111

TR 10:50-12:05

B IOSTATISTICS

CO U R S E CA TA L O G DE S C R I P T I O N This course introduces the basic theory of probability and statistics with practical applications using biological data. Subject matter in-cludes fundamentals of probability, distribution theory, sampling models, data analysis, basics of experimental design, statistical infer-ence, interval estimation and hypothesis testing.

ST U D E N T LE A R N I N G OU TC O M E S 1. Students will be able to identify and quantitatively summarize different types

of data, and interpret descriptive statistics presented in graphs and tables.

2. Students will be able to identify epidemiologic study designs, calculate measures of association, and interpret the significance of findings.

3. Students will be able to apply probability theory to predict the occurrence of different types of events.

4. Students will be able to calculate sample sizes, statistically test hypotheses, and derive confidence intervals for population parameter estimates.

5. Students will be able to interpret the findings from analyses using linear re-gression, logistic regression, and survival models.

Prerequisites:

Math 104 or 250

HEAL 215

HEAL 350

January 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12

Introduction

13 14

15 16

TYH Group Selection Due

17

Types of Data

18

19

Presenting & Graphing Data

20

21

22 23

24

Summarizing & Describing Data

25

26

Worksheet Day

27

28

29 30

TYH #1 Due

31

Direct Standard.

February 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

Probability I

3

4

5 6

7

Probability II

Problem Set 1 Due

8

9

Worksheet Day

10

11

12 13

14

Exam I

15

16 Normal

Probability

Distribution

17 18

19 20

TYH #2 Due

21

Binomial

Probability Distribution

22

23

Poisson Probability Distribution

24

25

26 27 28 Sensitivity/

Specificity Worksheet Day

March 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

Descriptive

Studies

3

TYH #3 Due

4

5 6

7

Spring Break

8 9

Spring Break

10

11

12 13

14

Case Control Studies

15 16

Cohort Studies

Problem Set 2 Due

17

18

19 20

21 Journal Article

Hypothesis Team Day

22 23

EXAM II

24

26

26 27

TYH #4 Due

28 Confidence Interval Estimation

29

30 Hypothesis Testing (Means)

(Online)

31

April 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3

4 Hypothesis Testing (Means)

5

6 Hypothesis Proportions

7

8

9 10

TYH #5 Due

11 Sample Size

In-Class Worksheet

12

13

Linear Regression

14

15

16 17

18 Logistic Regression

Problem Set 3 Due

19

20 Survival Analysis

Evaluations

21

TYH #6 Due

22

23 24

25 FINAL EXAM REVIEW

Journal Review Due

26

27

28 29

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

30 1 2 Final Exam

(Section 02)

8:00-11:00

3 4 Final Exam (Section 01)

8:00-11:00

5

6

May 2017

COURSE MATERIALS

Required Text:

Principles of Biostatistics by Pagano & Gauvreau (2000)

Recommended Text:

Intuitive Biostatistics, 3rd edition by Harvey Motulsky (2014)

Other reading materials as assigned

Assignment Date Point Value

Problem Sets (x3) Various (see calendar) 120

Exam I

(not comprehensive)

February 14 60

Exam II

(not comprehensive)

March 23 60

Journal Review

Assignment

April 25 50

Test Your Hypothesis see calendar 120

Final Exam

(comprehensive)

01—May 4

02—May 2

150

Biostat ist ics Page 4

Biostat ist ics Page 5

REA D I N G ASS I G NM EN TS B Y TOP I C

E VA L UA T I O N M E A S U R E S

Topic Pagano & Gauvreau Motulsky

Types of Data Chapter 2.1 Chapter 7, 8

Presenting & Graphing Data Chapter 2.2, 2.3 Chapter 7

Summarizing & Describing Data Chapter 3.1, 3.2 Chapter 7, 9

Direct Standardization Chapter 4.2.1, 4.3.1

Indirect Standardization Chapter 4.2.2, 4.3.2

Probability I Chapter 6.1, 6.2 Chapter 1, 2

Probability II Chapter 6.4 Chapter 1, 2

Normal Probability

Distribution

Chapter 7.4 Chapter 10

Binomial Probability

Distribution

Chapter 7.2 Chapter 4

Poisson Probability Distribution Chapter 7.3 Chapter 6

Descriptive & Experimental

Epi Studies

TBD (OAKS) Chapter 27

Case Control Studies OAKS & Chapter 6.5, 15.3 Chapter 28

Cohort Studies OAKS & Chapter 6.5 Chapter 27

Confidence Interval Estimation Chapter 9.1, 9.3, 14.3 Chapter 4, 6, 12, 13, 17

Hypothesis Testing Introduction Chapter 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 Chapter 16, 15

Means Hypothesis Testing Chapter 11.1, 11.2 Chapter 30, 31

Proportions Hypothesis Testing Chapter 15.1 Chapter 27

Sample Size Calculation Chapter 10.5, 10.6, 14.5 Chapter 26, 20

Linear Regression Chapter 18.1, 18.2 Chapter 33

Logistic Regression Chapter 20.1 Chapter 38

Survival Analysis Chapter 5.1, 5.2, 21.1, 21.2 Chapter 5, 29

The first exam will cover information presented through February 7, and the second exam will cover information presented between February 16 and March 16. For each exam, you will be allowed to use a non-cellular phone calculator and one piece of paper for formulas, which will be turned in with your exam. Failure to comply to the “one sheet rule” will result in points deduction. No other materials will be allowed. If you will be absent from class on Febru-ary 14 or March 23 (excused absences only), please make arrangements with Dr. Hart at least 1 week prior to take the exam at an earlier date.

Page 6

T E S T Y O U R HY P OT H E S I S ( 1 2 0 )

E X A M S I A N D I I ( 1 2 0 T O T A L , 6 0 E A C H )

Students will divide themselves into mini-research teams. For this assignment, each team will develop a public health-related research question, define their independent and dependent variables, develop a hypothetical epidemiologic study, perform a hypoth-esis test on simulated data, and practice a real-world sample size calculation.

Final assignments should be shared with Dr. Hart via Google Docs.

Each group (all members or a representative) must meet with Dr. Hart by January 24 to discuss their ideas for the project (especially Task #1).

To be successful on this assignment:

Follow the rubrics on OAKS to ensure you have all of the required con-tent for the assignment - grade your own assignment!

Use Google Docs so that I can see each individual’s contribution to as-signment (helps with accountability)

Set up a regular team meeting to work on this and other class assignments

Meet with Dr. Hart early if you have any questions about project plan, as-

Assignment

Descriptions

560 Total

Point Value

Spr ing 2017

Task # Task Due Date

N/A Group Selection via Google Docs January 16

1 Selection of health topic, variables, and data collec-tion methods

January 30

2 Review of descriptive statistics on health topic from other peer-reviewed studies

February 20

3 Determining how to code variables to use normal, binomial, and Poisson probability distributions

March 3

4 Design an epidemiologic study March 27

5 Hypothesis testing and confidence interval calcula-tion (you will have class time to work on this)

April 10

6 Sample size determination April 21

Biostat ist ics

The best way to learn Biostatistics is to practice, practice, practice. Three problem sets will be posted throughout the semester to help each of you understand and master concepts, as well as prepare you for the Midterm and Final Exams. Problems may be in the form of calculations, multiple choice, and short answer. If necessary, you are permitted to work with other students in the class on these problem sets; however, I encourage you try them on your own first. The Problem Sets will be posted to OAKS. Please bring your completed Problem Sets to class on the specified due date. If you will not be in class on the specified due date, please make arrangements with Dr. Hart to turn in the assignment PRIOR to the due date. Late submissions will result in 10% deduc-tion per day. Remember to show your work for partial credit!

The final exam will cover information presented over the entire se-mester. You will be allowed to use a non-cellular phone calculator and up to three sheets of paper (no larger than 8.5 x 11”) on which you may write anything related to the course materials (front and back). No other materials will be allowed. The exam must be taken on the assigned date unless prior arrangements have been made with appropriate documentation stating the reason why the exam must be taken at a different time.

Page 7

J O U R NA L ART I C L E R E V I E W ( 5 0 )

P RO B L E M S E T S ( 1 2 0 , 3 @ 4 0 P T S E A C H )

C U M U L A T I V E F I NA L E X A M ( 1 5 0 )

The objective of this assignment is to critically evaluate the statistics and ep-idemiological research methods used for public health research in a peer-reviewed publication selected by the instructor. Each individual will be ex-pected to evaluate the statistical information presented in the article includ-ing research objectives and hypothesis, study sample selection, study design and variable description, assessment of covariates, exposure and outcome identification, evaluation of descriptive statistics, assessment of statistical significance, and interpretation of results. Students are expected to work INDEPENDENTLY on this assignment and should only consult the notes and materials from class.

Assignment

Descriptions

560 Total

Point Value

I am more than willing to help you better understand lecture content or assist with the completion of class assignments. If you need help with an assignment, please try to answer the problems prior to our meeting, and please come to my office with specific questions—this will help ensure an efficient use of time.

I will be available for any questions or discussions in person during my of-fice hours (Mondays 9-11am or Tuesdays 3-5pm) in Silcox 312. These drop-in meetings will occur on a first-come, first-served basis. I am more than happy to meet with multiple students at once.

If you need assistance during hours that are outside of my drop-in office hours, please make an appointment to meet with me using Appointment Manager. If you need to contact me outside of those hours, please submit questions or comments by email (hartlb@cofc.edu); however, I cannot promise that I will be able to an-swer questions about assignments or exams after 5pm on the day prior to the assignment due date or examination date.

Page 8

DE PA RT M E N T G R A D I N G S C A L E

C O N TA C T I N G DR . H A RT R E G A R D I N G QU E S T I O N S O R A S S I G N M E N T S

Important

Policies

Spr ing 2017

Letter Grade Total Points Percentage

A 502+ 90-100%

A- 490-501 88-89%

B+ 474-489 85-87%

B 446-473 80-84%

B- 434-445 78-79%

C+ 418-433 75-77%

C 390-417 70-74%

C- 378-389 68-69%

D+ 367-377 66-67%

D 356-366 64-65%

D- 345-355 62-63%

F 344 or fewer 61% and below

Biostat ist ics

BRING A CALCULATOR TO EACH CLASS (not your cell phone—see technology policy below). You are not required to have a spe-cific make or model of calculator, but you will need one to complete example problems in class.

PLEASE BE ON TIME. Coming to class late is extremely disruptive to the instructional and learning environment. If you are coming to class from a remote location, please discuss with Dr. Hart at the begin-ning of the semester. If tardiness becomes a recurrent problem, a late policy will be enacted.

TECHNOLOGY—The use of cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc. is prohibited in class (unless requested by Dr. Hart for a learning/review activity). Dr. Hart will provide each student with guided notes or worksheets for each class period, so electronic notes will be unneces-sary. Students observed using technology in class will receive a verbal warning and then asked to leave if continued. If you have a circum-stance that requires technology engagement (e.g. childcare, family ill-ness, etc.), please discuss with Dr. Hart.

ASSIGNMENTS—Please submit assignments on their due date. Online submissions must be by 11:59PM on the day they are due. Late assign-ments will only be accepted on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by Dr. Hart, and a percentage of points will likely be deducted. If you have to miss class on the date on which an assignment is due, please make every effort to submit the assignment prior to the missed class.

GRADES—questions about grades on assignments must be addressed with-in 48 hours of receipt

Plagiarism, or the use of another’s thoughts, data, or information as your own, is prohibited in this class. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you present infor-mation that is NOT your own, appropriate citation of the source is expected.

Plagiarism definitions according to the CofC Handbook:

6.1. The verbatim repetition, without acknowledgement, of the writings of another author. All significant phrases,clauses, or passages, taken directly from source material must be enclosed in quotation marks and acknowl-edged in the text itself and/or in footnotes/endnotes.

6.2. Borrowing without acknowledging the source. 6.3. Paraphrasing the thoughts of another writer without acknowledgement. 6.4. Allowing any other person or organization to prepare work which one

then submits as his/her own.

Page 9

C O U R S E P O L I C I E S

P L A G I A R I S M

Important

Policies

Lying, cheating, attempted cheating, and plagiarism are violations of our Honor Code that, when identified, are investigated. Each incident will be examined to determine the degree of deception involved.

Incidents where the instructor determines the student’s actions are related more to a misunderstanding will handled by the instructor. A written intervention designed to help prevent the student from repeating the error will be given to the student. The intervention, submitted by form and signed both by the instructor and the student, will be forwarded to the Dean of Students and placed in the student’s file.

Cases of suspected academic dishonesty will be reported directly by the instructor and/or others having knowledge of the incident to the Dean of Students. A student found responsible by the Honor Board for academic dishonesty will receive a XXF in the course, indicating failure of the course due to academic dishon-esty. This grade will appear on the student’s transcript for two years after which the student may petition for the XX to be expunged. The F is permanent. The student may also be placed on disciplinary probation, sus-pended (temporary removal) or expelled (permanent removal) from the College by the Honor Board.

Students should be aware that unauthorized collaboration--working together without permission-- is a form of cheating. Unless the instructor specifies that students can work together on an assignment, quiz and/or test, no collaboration during the completion of the assignment is permitted. Other forms of cheating include possessing or using an unauthorized study aid (which could include accessing information via a cell phone or computer), copying from others’ exams, fabricating data, and giving unauthorized assistance.

Research conducted and/or papers written for other classes cannot be used in whole or in part for any assign-ment in this class without obtaining prior permission from the instructor.

Students can find the complete Honor Code and all related processes in the Student Handbook at http://studentaffairs.cofc.edu/honor-system/studenthandbook/index.php

I encourage you to utilize the Center for Student Learning’s (CSL) academic sup-port services for assistance in study strategies, speaking & writing strategies, and course content. They offer tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, study strategy ap-pointments, and workshops. Students of all abilities have become more successful using these programs throughout their academic career and the services are availa-ble to you at no additional cost. For more information regarding these services please visit the CSL website at http://csl.cofc.edu or call (843)953-5635.

Page 10

C E N T E R F O R D I S A B I L I T Y S E R V I C E S / S NA P

HO N O R C O D E & C O D E O F C O N D U C T

C E N T E R F O R S T U D E N T L E A R N I N G

Any student eligible for and needing accommodations because of a disability is requested to speak with the professor during the first two weeks of class or as soon as the student has been approved for services so that reasonable accommodations can be arranged.

For more information on the Center for Disability Services, visit:

http://disabilityservices.cofc.edu/

Important

Resources

Spr ing 2017

O N L I N E C O U R S E E V A L UA T I O N S

Students will be able to fill out online course evaluations during class (see schedule). Evaluations can be accessed through My Charleston. Please let Dr. Hart know in advance if you will need access to a laptop or tablet for this purpose.

Biostat ist ics

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) publishes guidelines regarding the knowledge and skills that should be presented to students enrolled in public health courses. These guidelines focus on outcomes, or competencies, that are linked to workforce needs as defined by employers and the public health profession as a whole. Each course in the College of Charleston Public Health program covers one or more of these com-petencies. As courses advance from introductory to more advanced, the competencies covered by these cours-es must also progress. That is, what you learn in higher level courses should build on, and extend beyond, what you learned in lower level courses. The following CEPH competency is covered by HEAL 395:

3. Explain principles of epidemiology necessary to understand health and impairments of health including the uses of rates, the meaning of causation, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions. Apply principles of epidemiology to reading research articles including case-control, cohort studies and randomized clinical trials.

For more information, please visit http://ceph.org/constituents/programs-baccalaureate-level/.

In addition to pursuing the general public health competencies set forth by CEPH, some students may be interested in pursuing certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). This certification re-quires the individual to sit for – and pass – an exam offered by the National Commission for Health Educa-tion Credentialing, Inc. In order to qualify to sit for the CHES exam, the individual must complete course-work covering a variety of competencies and sub-competencies. The following competencies and sub-competencies are covered by HEAL 395:

1. Assess needs, assets, and capacity for health education (Competency 1)

1.2 Access existing information and data related to health.

1.2.1 Identify sources of data related to health.

1.2.2 Critique sources of health information using theory and evidence from the

literature.

1.2.3 Select valid sources of information about health.

1.2.6 Conduct searches of existing databases for specific health-related data.

1.3 Collect quantitative and/or qualitative data related to health.

1.3.1 Collect primary and/or secondary data.

1.3.2 Integrate primary data with secondary data.

1.3.3 Identify data collection instruments and methods.

1.3.4 Develop data collection instruments and methods.

1.3.5 Train personnel and stakeholders regarding data collection.

1.3.6 Use data collection instruments and methods.

1.3.7 Employ ethical standards when collecting data.

2. Implement health education (Competency 3)

3.1 Implement a plan of action.

3.1.2 Collect baseline data

3. Conduct evaluation and research related to health education (Competency 4)

4.1 Develop evaluation/research plan.

4.1.13 Developing data analysis plan for research.

4.3 Collect and analyze evaluation/research data.

4.3.1 Collect data based on the evaluation/research plan.

4.3.2 Monitor data collection and management.

4.3.3 Analyze data using descriptive statistics.

4.3.4 Analyze data using inferential and/or other advanced statistical methods.

4.3.6 Apply ethical standards in collecting and analyzing data.

For more information, please visit http://www.nchec.org/.

Page 11

CEPH A N D CHES C O M P E T E N C I E S

Going

Above and

Beyond

I earned my B.S in Biology and Environmental Studies from the College of

William and Mary, my M.S. in Environmental Studies from the College of

Charleston, and my Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the Medical University of South

Carolina. My dissertation was titled, “The Use of Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Pho-

tographic Data to Study Skin Disease in Wild Bottlenose Dolphins.” I have been an ad-

junct professor in HEHP and Environmental Studies and taught a graduate core

seminar in the Masters of Environmental Studies Program. I was most recently

employed as a wildlife and environmental epidemiologist with a private contrac-

tor for the National

Oceanic and Atmos-

pheric Administration

(NOAA). In this role, I

studied the impact of

environmental and an-

thropogenic stressors

on the health of wild

bottlenose dolphin pop-

ulations.

A L I T TL E B I T A BO U T ME

Please Note:

Class lectures,

assignment due dates,

and other policies listed

in this syllabus are

subject to change at Dr.

Hart’s discretion, with

fair notice provided to

students.

Instructor:

Dr. Leslie Hart

Email: hartlb@cofc.edu

Phone: (843) 953-5191

Preferred method of contact is email.

Office Hours:

M 9:00am—11:00am

T 3:00pm—5:00pm

(or by appointment)

Office Location:

Silcox 312