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 or PSY 300
- Instructor's approval
XIV. Statement of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity
Non-Discrimination Policy Statement
Murray State University endorses the intent of all federal
and state laws created to prohibit discrimination. Murray
State University does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion,
age, veteran status, or disability in employment, admissions,
or the provision of services and provides, upon request,
reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services
necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal access
to participate in all programs and activities. For more
information, contact the Director of Equal Opportunity, Murray
State University, 103 Wells Hall, Murray, KY, 42071-3318.
Telephone: 270-809-3155 (voice), 270-809-3361 (TDD).