OSH 637, BIOSTATISTICS & PROBABILITY

Course Number: OSH 637, Credit Hours: 3
Bassam H. Atieh, Sc.D.
Tel. 809-6652
 
 
   I. Title
      Biostatistics and Probability
 
  II. Catalog Description
      The study and application of biostatistics and probability
      distributions in environmental and health related sampling.
      Emphasis is given to hypothesis testing and graphical
      determination of confidence intervals.  This course will
      also cover the use of log scales and their application in
      log-normal distributions.
      This course is offered to graduate students only.
 
 III. Purpose
      The purpose of this course is to prepare students in the
      Dept. of Occupational Safety and Health to better understand
      the practical application of statistical analysis in the
      industrial field.  It is necessary that students, taking
      higher level courses such as air sampling strategies,
      industrial ventilation, waste water treatment, and human
      factors, do understand the statistics required to analyze and
      solve real life situations.
 
  IV. Course Objectives   (a,b,e,h,k)
      By the end of this course:
      - Students will be able to choose the appropriate method to
        analyze a collected set of data.
      - Students will be able to graphically analyze data and draw
        conclusions.
      - Students will be able to apply statistics in health science
        related fields, and to determine employers' compliance with
        OSHA standards and guidelines.
 
   V. Content Outline
      A. CONCEPTS OF BASIC STATISTICS
       - Organizing and Summary Data
       - Describing Samples & Populations
       - Probability Models & Distributions
         - The Binomial Model
         - The Poisson Distribution
       - Normal Distributions & Normal Approximation of Binomials
       - Estimation and Confidence Intervals
         - Arithmetically
         - Graphically
 
      MID-TERM EXAM
 
       - Hypothesis Testing
       - Comparing Two Populations
       - Prediction & Association
         - Simple Linear Regression and Correlation
       - Chi Square Distribution and Analysis of Frequencies
       - Analysis of Variance
       - Introduction to Nonparametric Statistics
       - Sampling Theory
         - Errors in Experimental Design
         - Statistics and Research
 
      FINAL EXAM (COMPREHENSIVE)
 
      B. APPLICATION OF STATISTICS IN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND
         HEALTH SCIENCES
       - OSHA Injury and Fatality Rates
       - Particle and Fiber Size Distributions
       - Distributions of Environmental Samples
         - Normal Distribution
           (laboratory experimental errors)
         - Log-Normal Distribution
           (concentrations collected from environmental samples)
         - Poisson's Distribution
           (particles and fibers counting)
         - Binomial Distribution
           (determining OSHA's recommended number of workers to
           sample from a given worker population)
 
  VI. Instructional Activities
      - Lectures
      - Homework
      - Case studies
 
 VII. Field & Laboratory Experiences
      Not applicable...
 
VIII. Resources
      - Recommended reference texts
      - Lecture notes
 
  IX. Grading
      - Homework           30%
      - Mid-Term Exam      35%
      - Final Exam         35%
 
   X. Attendance Policy
      - Attendance is required.
      - Unexcused absences may affect your final grade for the
        course.
 
  XI. Academic Honesty Policy
      Refer to your undergraduate/graduate bulletin.
 
      Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person's material as
      one's own, or doing work for another person which will
      receive academic credit) are all impermissible.  This
      includes the use of unauthorized, books, notebooks, or other
      sources in order to secure or give help during an
      examination, the unauthorized copying of examinations,
      assignments, reports and term papers, or the presentation of
      unacknowledged material as if it were the student's own work.
      Disciplinary action may be taken beyond the academic
      discipline administered by the faculty member who teaches the
      course in which the cheating took place.
 
 XII. Recommended References
      - Brockett and Levine, Statistics & Probability and Their
        Applications, Saunders College Publishing.
      - Daniel W. Wayne, Biostatistics: The foundations of
        Statistical Analysis for Health Sciences. 5th. Edition,
        Wiley Publishing Co.
      - Pagano M. and K. Gauvreau, Principles of Biostatistics.
        Duxbury Press, Belmont, California.
  
 XIII. Prerequisites
       - Graduate status
       - MAT 135 or higher
       - Instructor's approval
 
  XIV. Statement of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity
       Murray State University does not discriminate on grounds of race, color,
       gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability or
       veteran's status in providing any educational or other benefits services
       of Murray State University to students or those applying for admission
       at Murray State University.  Murray State University attempts to provide
       equal opportunity in all areas of student admissions, financial aid,
       employment, and placement and provides upon request, reasonable 
       accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford
       individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in all
       programs and activities.