Course Detail

ALS 313 is the second part of a course in computational and mathematical methods relevant to the life sciences. This part will be focused on probability and statistics with example applications in biology and medicine. Students who complete both parts of this course will acquire much of the mathematical background required throughout the rest of KGI's MBS curriculum. Both analytical and numerical methods in all topics will be described, with the numerical aspects and assignments being based on MATLAB. Calculus is considered a prerequisite for this material, i.e., it is assumed that the students are comfortable with derivatives and integrals. This course is also a pre-requisite for the second year course in Clinical Biostatistics.

Reference Books

B. Rosner, Fundamental of Biostatistics, 6th Edition, Duxbury Press (2006). ISBN 0-534-41820-1

S. C. Chapra, Applied Numerical Methods with MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists, McGraw-Hill, New York (2005). ISBN 0-07-297677-2

E. Kreyszig, Advanced Engineering Mathematics, 8th Edition, Wiley (1999). ISBN 0-471-15496-2

Probability and Statistics

• Descriptive statistics: numerical and graphical
• Probability: multiplication and addition laws, conditional probability and Bayes' rule, ROC curves
• Common discrete and continuous probability distributions, permutations and combinations, Poisson and Normal approximations
• Point and Interval estimation
• Basic one-sample hypothesis testing (time permitting)

Students will be able to use concepts in probability and statistics to address problems in various branches of the life sciences, including clinical trial design, bioinformatics, and molecular biology.

Weekly Assignments 70%
Final Exam 30%