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About Study Course

Department: Statistics Unit
Credit points / ECTS:4 / 6
Course supervisor:Ieva Reine
Study type:Full time
Course level:Master's
Target audience:Life Science
Language:Latvian
Branch of science:Mathematics; Theory of Probability and Mathematical Statistics

Objective

The course describes and explains the underlying concepts and methods of epidemiology with apt examples and statistical illustrations. All the essentials are included: the person-population dyad, variation, error, bias, confounding, causality, the spectrum of disease, the “iceberg” concept, risk and its relationship to disease frequency, study design, and, finally, some thoughts about the way the discipline of has evolved and is likely to continue to evolve in the lifetime of those now entering upon the careers in this field.

The course aims to introduce biostatistics in medical science with an emphasis on theory, ideas, and epidemiological axioms. The course incorporates numerous challenging exercises, some of them requiring basic mathematical concepts and calculations. The course aims to provide practical applications of biostatistics in medical science. Examples drawn are from contemporary research and public health practice, including health-care policy and planning. The objective is that the student will acquire the depth of knowledge to use concepts and merely to be aware of them. The emphasis is on gaining on understanding, and not calculations, except where this is essential to understanding.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in statistics and basic concepts in medical science.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

Students will be able to search, select and read scientific publications in biostatistics in medical science, and critically assess contemporary research and public health practice, including health-care policy and planning. The course will provide knowledge to use concepts of epidemiology and merely to be aware of them, providing the basis for creative research, including work in different areas.

Skills

The students will be able to independently apply social science theories, concepts, and methods to public health practice and policy making as well as use relevant statistical methods. The student will also be able to use the biostatistics toolbox with a proper understanding of the purposes, theories, principles, and pitfalls of epidemiology. The obtained skills include use of statistical methods in cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies, the choice of an appropriate theoretical and statistical model, and interpretation of the obtained results.

Competence

The student will possess profound knowledge to understand the data and choose the best methods for statistical assessment and conduct studies of her/his own. The student will also be able to analyse and interpret results of different types of studies and including those of an experimental and quasi-experimental nature, frequently used in medical research, to take responsibility for the results and analysis of his/her work.

Study course planning

Planning period:Year 2024, Autumn semester
Study programmeStudy semesterProgram levelStudy course categoryLecturersSchedule
Biostatistics, MFBS3Master’sRequiredIeva Reine