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Analysis of Biological Data (MAST20031)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 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
Semester 1
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 |
A capacity to interpret data is fundamental to making informed decisions in everyday life. The design of experiments, analysis, and interpretation of biological data also lie at the very heart of the scientific enterprise. You cannot be a scientist without an understanding of data and design. This subject introduces you to fundamental concepts in data science for biology, with emphasis on modern statistical methods. Drawing on real biological problems and datasets, as well as drawing on data collected by the class, the lectures cover foundational concepts in experimental design and statistical modelling. The subject emphasises hands-on problem solving. As well as a solid grounding in statistical methodology, you will also develop practical skills, developing your capacity to design experiments, collect data, and analyse those data using the R statistical environment.
Intended learning outcomes
Students completing this subject should be able to:
- Evaluate importance of careful design and analysis in scientific enterprise
- Design biological experiments, build statistical models and sample real biological populations
- Practically approach problems entailing the collection and analysis of biological data
- Structure data sheets and enter data
- Recognise and deal with common data types and models in biology
- Understand fundamental statistical concepts including exploratory data analysis; basic principles of statistical inference; linear models, likelihood-based methods and re-sampling techniques
- Execute basic analyses
Generic skills
The subject builds upon generic skills developed in first year level subjects, including the ability to critically assess and assimilate new knowledge. Students will also learn how to:
- solve practical data analysis problems faced by biologists
- design experiments and critically evaluate observations
- evaluate and interpret real data
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
12.5 credit points from any of the following:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10001 | Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10003 | Genes and Environment | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10004 | Biology of Cells and Organisms | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10005 | Genetics & The Evolution of Life | No longer available | |
BIOL10006 | Systems Biology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Dookie) |
12.5 |
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
25 points of first year Biology subjects
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.
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: 3 November 2022
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 |
---|---|---|
6 online quizzes, held fortnightly
| Throughout the semester | 15% |
3 x 500 word assignments, due weeks 5, 9, 11
| From Week 5 to Week 11 | 25% |
An exam
| During the examination period | 60% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Paul Fijn Coordinator Luke Holman Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x one hour online lectures per week, 2 x one hour interactive lectures per week, 1 x one hour computer laboratory class per week. 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 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Whitlock and Schluter, The Analysis of Biological Data.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Marine Biology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED - 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.
Last updated: 3 November 2022