MED3007 – Statistical Principles in Genomics: an Introduction with Rstudio
Course description
Course content
Genomic data analysis is increasingly important both in medical research and in the clinical practice. In this course, you will learn the basic principles and concepts in the statistical analysis of genomic data. The course will focus on the three main tasks that are frequently involved in genomics: data visualisation, data screening and pre-processing, data modelling (prediction and classification). You will get a practical introduction to RStudio, the best statistical software for analysing genomic data, thus enabling you to perform basic programming tasks, to visualise and analyse genomic data, and to interpret the results.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- identify specific statistical challenges associated with the analysis of genomic data
- explain the analytical solutions targeted to the genomics data case, by understanding their underlying statistical properties
- have in-depth knowledge of research methods used in medicine and health sciences (common for all electives).
Skills
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- identify the data analysis problem, and choose the appropriate type of statistical method;
- implement a complete genomic data pipeline in RStudio: data loading and handling, visualisation, basic analyses;
- critically evaluate the visualisation tools and analyses that are most frequently chosen in publications reporting molecular biology or molecular medicine findings;
- manage practical tasks involved when analysing high-dimensional data;
- use RStudio for basic statistical analyses.
General competence
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- reflect on the statistical challenges specific to high dimensional biological data, due to peculiar characteristics of such data domain, and draw consequent method choices.
Admission
Only available for students at the medical programme.
Within given deadlines the students have to prioritise between the elective courses in StudentWeb.
Admission capacity: 32 students.
It is not possible to take this course as an external candidate.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
You must have completed the teaching and have attended or have a valid absence on the exam in MED2200 – Medisinstudiet, modul 2 in order to present yourself to the examination in the elective courses in the first elective period.
Overlapping courses
Recognition of education
If you have taken courses at the intercalated MD-PhD programme (Forskerlinjen) you may apply for credit transfer
Teaching
The study of medicine is a full-time study.
Form of work: lectures followed by practical sessions in RStudio, including group assignments.
Examination
Take-home exam
Students who fail to pass or have an authorised absence from the examination will be registrated for re-sit examination/postponed examination. The students may continue in his or her study programme and take the examination in the subsequent elective period (the subsequent January). All students must have passed the elective courses within the end of the second elective period in their study programme, either before Module 4 or before Modul 5, depending on their year group.
Students who fail to pass or have an authorised absence from the examination may be given another form of assessment on the re-sit examination/postponed examination.
Grading
The Board at the University of Oslo has decided to introduce detailed guidelines for all examinations, which take place at the University. The description of the grading should be clear and transparent. This is done to ensure alignment between learning outcomes, assignments, and grading. The Faculty of Medicine has developed a web page with information regarding exams and the grading procedures (Norwegian version).
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
Students who withdraws from or does not attend the examination without authorised absence may not take the postponed examination.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
The course will be evaluated according the the routine description in the quality assurance system. For more information view the quality assurance system for the medical programme (Norwegian only).