Biostatistics in Public Health Specialization Course Syllabus

Overview (80-120 words) describing structure and time commitment. This specialization provides a comprehensive introduction to biostatistics as applied in public health and biomedical research. Learners will gain the skills to summarize data, interpret statistical results, and apply regression methods to answer research questions. The course is divided into four core modules followed by a final project, totaling approximately 63 hours of learning. Each module combines video lectures, readings, and practical exercises designed for beginners. With flexible scheduling and lifetime access, this course is ideal for aspiring public health professionals seeking foundational biostatistical knowledge. No prior experience is required, though familiarity with basic math concepts is helpful.

Module 1: Summary Statistics in Public Health

Estimated time: 15 hours

• Calculate continuous data measures
• Interpret data visualizations
• Analyze binary data
• Analyze time-to-event data

Module 2: Hypothesis Testing in Public Health

Estimated time: 19 hours

• Use statistical methods to analyze sampling distributions
• Estimate and interpret 95% confidence intervals for single samples
• Estimate and interpret 95% confidence intervals for two populations
• Estimate and interpret p-values for hypothesis testing

Module 3: Simple Regression Analysis in Public Health

Estimated time: 15 hours

• Practice simple regression methods to determine relationships between an outcome and a predictor
• Recognize confounding in statistical analysis
• Perform estimate adjustments

Module 4: Multiple Regression Analysis in Public Health

Estimated time: 14 hours

• Practice multiple regression methods to determine relationships between an outcome and multiple predictors
• Use the spline approach for non-linear relationships with continuous predictors
• Perform calculations with multiple predictor variables

Module 5: Final Project

Estimated time: 10 hours

• Select appropriate statistical methods for a public health research question
• Analyze a dataset using techniques learned throughout the specialization
• Interpret and present findings in a written report

Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of high school-level mathematics
• No prior experience in statistics required
• Access to a computer with internet connection

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Calculate summary statistics from public health and biomedical data
• Interpret written and visual presentations of statistical data
• Evaluate and interpret results of various regression methods
• Choose the most appropriate statistical method to answer your research question
• Apply biostatistical methods to real-world public health problems