BIOS3000 – Design and analysis of biological studies
Course description
Course content
This course is a thorough introduction to design of biological studies and statistical analysis in biology. The focus is on the use of statistical models for analyzing biological patterns and processes. Students are taught fundamental skills in modern biological research through project work, exercises and computer exercises. The statistical environment R is used throughout the course.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you are expected to:
- Understand the difference between observational studies and experiments, and be able to assess the results from different types of studies in a biological context
- Understand the importance of the terms pseudoreplication, confounding effects, experimental control, randomization, sampling skewness, stratified sampling and blocking in analysis of biological studies
- Be able to carry out Monte Carlo simulations to assess different study design and statistical models
- Be able to fit biologically relevant models based on the normal, binomial, and Poisson distributions (GLM), and calculate linear contrasts and predictions with confidence intervals, as well as evaluate how well these models fit the data (goodness of fit).
- Know how to fit hierarchical models with normally distributed response variables and interpret these
- Know how to assess the sources of bias in models fitted to biological data, including the effects of sampling skewness, measurement error in the predictive variables (attenuation) and loss of study units during the course of the study.
- Be aware of common fallacies in statistical inference.
- Know about principles for choice of models depending on specific research questions.
- Be able to present the scientific results of biological studies in written English, as well as gain experience in working with fellow students and academic staff on research projects
Admission to the course
Priority will be given to students in the bachelor program in Biosciences.
Special admission requirements
In addition to fulfilling the?Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
- Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2)
And in addition one of these:
- Mathematics R2
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
Mathematics R2 was a requirement up until and including the study year 2021/2022, as part of a trial arrangement. From and including the study year 2022/2023, Mathematics R2 is no longer a requirement.
The special admission requirements may also be covered by?equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies?(in Norwegian).
Formal prerequisite knowledge
STK1000 – Introduction to Applied Statistics or equivalent.
Recommended previous knowledge
A background in elementary programming equivalent to the content of BIOS1100 – Introduction to computational models for Biosciences is strongly recommended.
Other recommended background courses are BIOS1110 – Celle- og molekyl?rbiologi (Cell and Molecular Biology), BIOS1120 – Fysiologi (Physiology), BIOS1140 – Evolusjon og genetikk (Evolution and Genetics) and?BIOS2100 – General Ecology.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with BIOS4000 – Design and analysis of biological studies.
- 10 credits overlap with BIO2150 – Biostatistics and Study Design (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with BIO2130 – Bio statistics (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with BIO2110 – Experimental ecology (discontinued).
Teaching
The course consists of:
Lectures
Problem-solving with guidance
Mandatory hand-ins
A mandatory group project with a final oral presentation in groups?
The curriculum is in English and all reports must be written in English. Attendance to the first lecture is mandatory. If you are unable to attend the first lecture you will lose your seat on the course if you do not inform the student administration?studieinfo@ibv.uio.no?prior to the first lecture.
Approved mandatory course work is valid for 3 years.
Access to teaching?
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Final written exam which counts 100% towards the final grade.
Mandatory course work must be approved before the student can attend the exam.?
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses:?BIOS4000 – Design and analysis of biological studies, BIO2150 – Biostatistics and Study Design (discontinued), BIO2130 – Bio statistics (discontinued), BIO2110 – Experimental ecology (discontinued)
Examination support material
No examination support material will be allowed. A calculator will be available on Inspera during the exam.
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are?offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.