| Unit name | Introduction to Statistical and Epidemiological Methods |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0055 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Chris Metcalfe |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will equip you with the knowledge and skills to plan and conduct an epidemiological study which answers a question in clinical medicine or public health. In this context the fundamental concepts of statistics will be introduced, a deep understanding of which is required for subsequent units in the programme.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The Unit is designed specifically for students on the MSc in Medical Statistics and Health Data Science. It will provide you with the fundamental knowledge and skills, motivating and preparing you to learn about more advanced statistical methods in other units.
An overview of content
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will be able to understand and critically appraise quantitative results in the epidemiological literature. You will be able to contribute statistical expertise to the planning and delivery of research studies as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you should be able to:
Lectures allow efficient coverage of the fundamental concepts introduced in this unit, but will be interactive with embedded exercises and the opportunity to ask questions throughout each session. Lectures will illustrate concepts using key case studies in the development of statistical and epidemiological methods, and with reference to published research studies to give real-world examples of how the unit material is used in practice.
Practicals will give you experience of how the unit materials are used in practice, e.g. understanding and critically appraising published research, choosing a study design and outlining a protocol to address a research question, and analysis of data sets to answer clinical questions.
Tutor directed reading will provide further illustrations of the concepts introduced in lectures and practicals, further practice in understanding and critically appraising published results, and practice in using the epidemiological and statistical literature to expand and update knowledge post-graduation.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative assessments will support your learning and will take the form of practical sessions, presentations and questions in lectures. Practical activities will include group work, for which each group will undertake a task such as a critical appraisal of an epidemiological paper and present their findings, with verbal feedback from lecturers/tutors and peers. Further practical sessions will enable you to apply what you have learnt to the planning, conduct and presentation of statistical analyses, again with feedback from lecturers/tutors and peers. Previous exam papers will be made available, with model answers and the opportunity to discuss “exam technique” with the tutors.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
This unit will be assessed using a written exam (100%, ILOs 1-5).
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the unit, you will normally be given the opportunity to take a reassessment as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes. Decisions on the award of reassessment will normally be taken after all taught units of the year have been completed. Reassessment will normally be in a similar format to the original assessment that has been failed.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. BRMSM0055).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
