Statistics 219

STAT 219: Statistics for Biology (GE)

Prerequisites: Any MATH class, or a passing score on a placement test approved by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Credit Hours: (3)

An introduction to statistical methods taught by embedding statistical language and methods into a biological context. Topics will include descriptive statistics (univariate and bivariate graphs; measures of central tendency, dispersion, and position); probability distributions; estimation; hypothesis testing; correlation; regression.

Note(s): General Education and Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.  Students may not receive credit for both STAT 219 and STAT 200.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

1.       Data collection: random sampling, observational studies, experimental designs

2.       Descriptive statistics and data analysis

    a.       Graphical methods of displaying data

    b.       Measures of center: mean, median, mode, weighted mean

    c.       Measures of dispersion: range, standard deviation, variance, interquartile range

3.       Probability Distributions

    a.       Discrete distributions: Binomial & Poisson

    b.       Continuous distribution: Normal

4.       Statistical Inference

    a.       Point and Confidence Interval estimation:

        i.      One sample estimation of the mean and proportion

        ii.      Two sample estimation of the difference of means and the difference of proportions

    b.       Hypothesis Testing:

         i.      One sample tests of the mean and proportion;

         ii.      Two sample tests of  the difference of means and the difference of proportions

    c.       Test of Independence

    d.       Simple Linear Correlation and Regression

    e.       Nonparametric Tests

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The students will be required to use technology including graphing calculators and a statistical package such as Excel, Minitab, SPSS, or JMP. Science-based topics will be used in examples wherever possible and appropriate. 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

To develop the skills and techniques for students to be able to analyze data using standard statistical methods.

Students will be able to use the tools of mathematics and quantitative reasoning to conceptualize and solve problems.

Students will be able to:
    1) interpret relationships among numeric, symbolic, and graphical information as applied to the real world
    2) solve problems using numeric, symbolic, and graphical information

Assessment Measures

Graded tasks may include tests, quizzes, homework exercises, computer assignments, projects, class participation and attendance.

Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

June 4, 2012

March 01, 2021