courses

3422

18 September 2017 08 May 2024

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Students who commenced study in 2016 should refer to this course entry for direction on the requirements; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course.

Monash University

Postgraduate - Course

Commencement year

This course entry applies to students commencing this course in 2016 and should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Course code

3422

Credit points

72

Abbreviated title

MBiostats

Managing faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Coordinator

Professor Andrew Forbes

Contact details

School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine: telephone +61 3 9903 0563; email pgradenq@monash.edu or visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/epidemiology/pgrad/

Admission and fees

Find a CourseFind a Course (http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/3422)

Course type

Specialist
Single degree
Master's by coursework

Standard duration

3 years PT

Part-time study only. This course must be completed in a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years. The course duration is inclusive of any periods of intermission.

Mode and location

Multi-modal (Alfred Hospital)

Students are required to attend a number of compulsory blocks of on-campus/on-site study days.

Award/s

Master of Biostatistics

Notes

  • This course is not available to international students.

Description

This course, offered by Department Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, provides a sound understanding of the theory and application of biostatistics relevant to professional practice. The degree will assist the acquisition of skills and experience in complex statistical analyses, identifying and implementing appropriate statistical methodology, communicating biostatistical results and understanding biostatistical literature. The course develops the technical skills for commencement in a professional career as a biostatistician.

Outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

On completion of this course, students will have:

  • developed a sound understanding of the theory and application of the major areas of biostatistics relevant to professional practice
  • acquired skills in complex statistical analyses using modern statistical techniques and software
  • developed skills to identify the relevant statistical issues in practical problems in medical/health settings and to propose and implement an appropriate statistical design and/or analysis methodology
  • developed skills and had experience in communication of biostatistical issues with clinical/health personnel and the presentation of statistical results in a format suitable for publication in health-related journals or professional reports
  • acquired the technical skills to be able to read the biostatistical literature and implement new methodology described therein
  • developed the technical skills to commence professional careers as biostatisticians and/or to progress to further postgraduate research studies.

Assessment

Assessment includes written assignments, practical exercises, examinations, portfolio and final report.

Structure

This course consists of 10 core units and two electives.

Requirements

Core units

  • EPM5002 Mathematical background for biostatistics
  • EPM5003 Principles of statistical inference
  • EPM5004 Linear models
  • EPM5005 Data management and statistical computing
  • EPM5007 Design of experiments and clinical trials
  • EPM5009 Categorical data and generalised linear models
  • EPM5010 Survival analysis
  • EPM5014 Probability and distribution theory
  • MPH5040 Introductory epidemiology
  • EPM5015 Biostatistics practical project - single unit, or EPM5011 Biostatistics practical project (12 points)

* If EPM5011 is completed, no elective unit is required.

Elective units

Two of:

  • EPM5001 Health indicators and health surveys
  • EPM5006 Clinical biostatistics
  • EPM5008 Longitudinal and correlated data analysis
  • EPM5012 Bioinformatics
  • EPM5013 Bayesian statistical methods

Progression to further studies

Students who complete this course and achieve a minimum of a distinction (70 per cent) average may qualify for admission into higher degrees by research including course 3438 Master of Philosophy and 0047 Doctor of Philosophy, among others.

Alternative exit(s)

Students wishing to exit this course may apply to graduate with one of the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award:

  • 3420 Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics
  • 3421 Graduate Diploma in Biostatistics.