Biostatistics 615/815 Fall 2011
Objective
In this winter, Biostatatistics 615/815 aims for providing students with a practical understanding of computational aspects in implementing statistical methods, from basics of programming language to the implementations of sophisticated statistical methods. Although C++ language will be used throughout the course, using Java programming language for homework and project will be acceptable.
Target Audience
Students in Biostatistics 615 should be comfortable with simple algebra and statistics. Previous experience in programming is not required, but those who do not have previous programming experience are expected to spend a sufficient amount of time to be familiar with a programming language during the coursework. Most students registering for the course are Master or Doctoral students in Human Genetics, Bioinformatics, Statistics or Biostatistics.
Students in Biostatistics 815 should be familiar with programming languages, so that they can accomplish class project implementing an advanced statistical method in pairs during the coursework. The details of the possible projects will be announced soon.
Textbook
- Required Textbook : Cormen, Leiserson, Rivest, and Stein, "Introduction to Algorithms", Third Edition, The MIT Press, 2009 [Official Book Web Site]
- Optional Textbook : Press, Teukolsky, Vetterling, Flannery, "Numerical Recipes", 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2007 [Official Book Web Site]
Scheduling
Classes are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursdays, 8:30 - 10:00 am.
Class Notes
Office Hours
For the 2010 Academic Term, are tentatively scheduled for Fridays 16:00 - 17:00 am, room 4614 in the SPH Tower. I will provide free coffee to anyone who turns up.
Standards of Academic Conduct
The following is an extract from the School of Public Health's Student Code of Conduct [1]:
Student academic misconduct includes behavior involving plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, falsification of records or official documents, intentional misuse of equipment or materials, and aiding and abetting the perpetration of such acts. The preparation of reports, papers, and examinations, assigned on an individual basis, must represent each student’s own effort. Reference sources should be indicated clearly. The use of assistance from other students or aids of any kind during a written examination, except when the use of books or notes has been approved by an instructor, is a violation of the standard of academic conduct.
In the context of this course, any work you hand-in should be your own.
Course History
Goncalo Abecasis taught it in several academic years previously. For previous course notes, see [Goncalo's older class notes].
