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  3. Data and Decision Making

Data and Decision Making (MAST90072)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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The basis for decision making in biotechnology is often the analysis of data. For these decisions to be reliable data must be correctly collected and analysed. To control costs data should be efficiently collected and it needs to be properly stored and managed. The interpretation of an analysis requires some knowledge of basic statistical ideas and techniques, and the results will often be communicated to a non-specialist audience who will make decisions based on the presentation. Alternatively, decisions may be made from the analyses and interpretations of others. This subject examines the whole process of data collection, analysis and decision making.

This subject is a core subject for Master of Biotechnology (MC-SCIBIT) and examples and curriculum are designed for MC-SCIBIT students.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to: 

  • Apply statistical techniques from experimental design and data collection to present a report to a possibly non-specialist audience;
  • Apply different statistical techniques used in biotechnology;
  • Differentiate statistical processes and associated resources required to effectively manage projects;
  • Demonstrate competence in using major statistical computing package.

Generic skills

  • problem-solving: the ability to engage with unfamiliar problems and identifying relevant strategies;
  • analysis: the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of the analysis;
  • collaboration: the ability to work effectively in a team. 

Last updated: 17 November 2025