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Research Methods For Life Sciences (AGRI90075)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Please refer to the specific study period for contact information.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides students with an introduction to a number of statistical techniques which are frequently used in agriculture, science and business situations. Course content will be set within the context of practical problems. Technology will be used to support statistical calculations.
It is designed for students with little or no background in statistics.
Topics include an introduction to sampling techniques and experimental design; descriptive treatment of sample data; introduction to elementary probability and distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing of means and proportions; the chi-square distribution; simple and multiple regression and correlation; one-factor and two-factor analysis of variance; and use of statistical computer packages.
Intended learning outcomes
The aim of this unit is to assist students to develop an:
- Introduction to statistical analysis
- Understanding of the process of statistical analysis
- Introduction to the use of statistical analysis in postgraduate research
- Ability to select appropriate methodological frameworks and to match research tools to these approaches
Generic skills
Students should progressively acquire generic skills from this subject that will assist them in any future career path. These include
• problem-solving skills: the ability to engage with unfamiliar problems and identify relevant solution strategies;
• analytical skills: the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of analysis;
• time management skills: the ability to meet regular deadlines while balancing competing commitments.
Last updated: 18 December 2020
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students who have completed statistical analysis subjects at a tertiary level are advised not to take Research Methods for Life Sciences.
Recommended background knowledge
Students who have not taken any statistical analysis subjects at a tertiary level are advised to take Research Methods for Life Sciences as an introduction to statistical analysis.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
This course requires all students to actively and safely participate in field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 18 December 2020
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A final examination
| 60% | |
Four assignments, due in Weeks 4, 6, 8 and 12
| From Week 4 to Week 12 | 40% |
Last updated: 18 December 2020
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Patrick Baker Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Twenty-four hours of lectures and 36 hours of tutorials and practicals Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 18 December 2020
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Essential Statistics (D G Rees), 4th edn, Chapman and Hall, 2001
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 18 December 2020