BIOSTATISTICS & PROBABILITY

Course Number: OSH 637

Credit Hours: 3

Bassam H. Atieh, Sc.D.

Tel. 809-6652

Title

Biostatistics and Probability

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.

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.

Course Objectives  (a,b,e,h,k)

By the end of this course:

- Students will be able to choose the appropriate method to analyze collected 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.

Content Outline

A. CONCEPTS OF BASIC STATISTICS

     - Organizing and Summary Data

       - Describing Samples & Populations

       - Probability Models & Distributions

         - The Normal Distribution Model

         - 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)

Instructional Activities

- Lectures

- Homework

- Case studies

Field & Laboratory Experiences

Not applicable...

Resources

- Text/s

- Handouts

Grading

- Homework:  30%

- Mid-Term Exam:  35%

- Final Exam:  35%

Attendance Policy

- Attendance is required.

- Unexcused absences may affect your final grade for the course.

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.

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.

Prerequisites

- Graduate status

- MAT 135 or higher or PSY 300

- Instructor's approval

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).