84888 - Acquisition of Computer Skills and Biostatistics Skills

Learning outcomes

Capacità Informatiche:
At the end of the course the student knows some basic computer elements, the usage of spreadsheets to analyse experimental data and to make histograms and plots, and the usage of databases. He possesses sufficient knowledge to use basic informatics tools to organize her/his work and to handle laboratory activities.
Biostatistica:
At the end of the course the student will acquired the knowledge of the basic elements that will allow him to understand and use the fundamental methods for the statistical analysis of experimental results. This will be functional to the understanding of a part of the disciplines in which the Degree Course is articulated. At the end of the course the student acquires the knowledge for an autonomous and correct use of the data in the field of life sciences.

Course contents

Capacità Informatiche:
Internet, WWW and PC: telecommunications, computer performance, connection technologies, internet applications, WWW their services, internet infrastructure, search engines.
Spreadsheet.
Databases / Access.
Biostatistica:
Descriptive statistics: grouping data, frequency distributions, central trend indices and dispersion indices 
Probability calculation: axiomatic definition of probability and related theorems. denpendent and independent events. Conditional probability. 
Random variables: probability function, distribution and density function, standardized random variable, normal distribution (Gaussian), standard normal distribution, use of tables for the calculation of the area under the normal distribution.
Inferential statistics: distribution of sample means, central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests: Student test (paired data and independent groups)
Regression and linear correlation: Pearson linear correlation, linear regression, r2 for the effect size

Readings/Bibliography

Capacità Informatiche:
https://elearning-cds.unibo.it/course/view.php?id=1344 
No textbook is needed, since all the material is available on-line, see also the section "Teaching tools". 
However part of the material is available as paper version on the book "Fondamenti di informatica", Vol. 1, Ed. Zanichelli.
Biostatistica:
The teacher will make available all the material presented in class.
To integrate the text is recommended:
Elementi di statistica medica, P. B. Lantieri, D. Risso, G. Ravera, Mc Graw Hill

Teaching methods

Capacità Informatiche:
Introductory lessons to individual modules, e-mail and faq, self learning on the web.
Biostatistica:
Frontal lessons with slide support and, if necessary, a blackboard for mathematical explanations

Assessment methods

Capacità Informatiche:
The qualifying examination consists of 30 multiple choice tests to be completed in 25 minutes. Book or others supports not allowed. The tests regard all the course contents. The qualification is obtained passing at least 16 tests.
Biostatistica:
The exam consists of a written test with 19 questions divided as follows:
10 multiple choice theory questions with 4 answers, of which only one is correct. (1 point for each correct answer)
5 short multiple choice exercises with 4 answers of which only one correct (2 points for each correct answer)
3 exercises to be performed (4 points for each exercise)
The sum of the points will be 32 and the exam will be considered passed with a minimum of 18 points.

Teaching tools

Capacità informatiche
PC and videoprojector for the lectures, individual PCs available for selftraining (the unibo elearning environment will be used). The sections comprising the course are available through the UNIBO e-learning service (https://elearning-cds.unibo.it/course/view.php?id=1344) upon registration, as it will be explained during the first lecture.
Biostatistica:
Exercises in the classroom with application of the concepts treated

Office hours

See the website of Tiziano Rovelli

See the website of Emil Malucelli