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School of Public Health

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Division of Biostatistics

 It is a good thing for an uneducated man to read books of 
quotations.
 - Winston Churchill

 A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.
 - Steve Martin

I believe that a scientist looking at nonscientific problems is just 
as dumb as the next guy.
 - Richard Feynman

 If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it
yourself.
 - Albert Einstein

The intent in this course is to gain some skill in statistical computing using SAS, R, Splus, and possibly FORTRAN or C. The recurring theme is solving problems by turning an algorithm into a program that provides relevant answers. Some background in probability and statistics, including an introduction to likelihood, is needed.

Topics covered will include use of pseudo-random number generators, distribution functions (pdfs and cdfs), matrix manipulations with applications to regression and estimation of variance, simulation studies, minimization of functions using various algorithms, nonlinear regression, manipulation and combination of datasets, techniques of macro programming, and methods of integration using quadrature.

The course is intended primarily for MS and MPH students in Biostatistics and Statistics. At least one previous semester of courses in biostatistics and statistics and concurrent or previous enrollment in a course involving linear regression are strongly recommended.

The main content of the course is a series of computing projects (see Syllabus). Datasets based on previous studies will be available for providing examples of computational methods.

This course is not intended as a continuation of SPH 6420. In general the level of statistical knowledge and mathematical skill is somewhat advanced over that required in SPH 6420 or the SPH 6450-6451 sequence.

Cape Buffalo, Lake Nakuru, Kenya, August 2010

For additional photos from Africa and others, see: John C. Flickr Website

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