MA101A Distributions, Tests and Graphics

The various statistical distributions covered will help you know when assumptions can be made about a normal distribution and how to test whether or not these assumptions are true. Essential descriptive statistics are reviewed and then used in various situations to calculate background, noise, normalization and thresholding. Additionally, hypothesis testing is introduced so that you can assess groups of observations for a particular parameter and calculate whether or not the difference between groups is significant. Data visualization using various graphs will also be reviewed. Armed with these techniques, you will be able to better deal with the challenges of data analysis. Plus, you'll be able to understand and interpret data at a more fundamental level and draw the correct conclusions about them.

The entire course will be conducted in R, a free and open-source package for statistical computing that has become an essential part of the biostatistician's toolbox. Unlike Bioinformatics.org course CS101B R for Biologists, Level 1, this course focuses on the mathematical principles of statistical analysis and not on the syntax and functionality of R.

No experience is required, although prior experience with a programming language will be helpful. Math skills will also be useful.

Session 1

Probability distributions and how to work with them

Session 2

Descriptive statistics for summarizing vector and matrix data

Session 3

Student t-tests, Wilcoxon tests for analyzing one and two sample data

Session 4

Use of the techniques covered in the previous sessions to do a biological data analysis project

This course is taught by Shailender Nagpal, M.S.

Registration

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Step 1

If you haven't already done so, create an on-line account to access the educational section of our website. Please note that the registration for our educational system is separate from that of the main website; you will require another account.

Step 2

Register for this course by sending in the registration form (PDF; use this form if paying by US checks, credit card or corporate purchase order).

On-demand course held on-line

This course might be taught on-demand, on-line. Please check the list of on-demand courses to see if this course can be taken as such.

An on-demand version provides pre-recorded video lectures. Once registered, you may begin by viewing the first lecture video, and if you have any questions, you may then email the instructor.

Slides are available with both on-demand and live of courses, and many also have examples (such as data and scripts). Assignments are also provided for your edification but are not graded. And, when finished, you may request a certificate of attendance.

On-demand course tuition:

• For-profit & government: $300 USD
• Non-profit & self-pay: $200 USD
• See below for additional discounts.

Students who've taken the on-demand version of this course can access the course page here.

Live course held online

This course might also be taught live, on-line. Please check the calendar to see if it will be held in the near future.

Live, online course tuition:

• For-profit & government: $500 USD
• Non-profit & self-pay: $300 USD
• See below for additional discounts.

Registration deadline: When full

Students who've taken the live course can continue to access their course pages here. (Access to completed courses is available to enrolled students only, because of privacy and confidentiality issues.)

Live course held on-site

We can come to your facility to teach this course. Please contact us for additional information.

Discounts

Additional discounts are available as follows:

• Professional members: 20% discount
• Limited scholarships may also be available for those residing in low-income economies (please inquire).

Certification

This course is certified by Bioinformatics.org, one of the oldest and largest international affiliations in the field, and it will count as 3 "Continuing Scientific Education" (CSE) units (one unit per contact hour) within Bioinformatics.org. Students completing the course will receive a certificate attesting to that.

Refund policy

For any course type, if a student is not satisfied with the conduct or content of a course, they may request a full refund within the first two days of lecture. After two days but within a week, a 50% refund will be granted. After one week, a 100% credit toward another course will be granted. No refunds or credits apply beyond those stated here.

Additional information

Please contact us for questions or additional information.

See also

• Educational services at Bioinformatics.org