MSc Clinical Dentistry (Paediatric Dentistry) / Course details
Year of entry: 2023
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Course unit details:
Biostatistics
| Unit code | DENT70001 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Offered by | Division of Dentistry |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The Biostatistics unit is an interactive online course, mandatory to all PGT students of the Division of Dentistry complementing the School's other mandatory unit, namely Research Methods.
'Biostatistics' provides students with an introduction to key material required for the design, analysis and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research and the production of a high quality dissertation.
The course will run over a 12 week period, supplemented with timetabled face-to-face sessions which will be used to consolidate the online material and provide the students with an opportunity to discuss the topics in person.
Topics covered include:
- Collection and summary of data
- Sampling and probability
- Estimation and confidence intervals
- Comparing groups and sample size calculations
- Contingency tables
- Correlation and regression
- Reliability and validity
- Hypothesis testing
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Methods | DENT61010 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
The unit aims to produce students who are competent in the data collection, simple analysis and interpretation of clinical or clinically-related research projects. The latter may include medical education, public health and basic-science areas such as genetics, microbiology or biomaterials.
Learning outcomes
- Identify, describe, summarise, and present different types of data;
- Understand, choose and apply the appropriate statistical techniques suitable to students’ own research;
- Carry out analyses by hand or using a statistical software package;
- Understand the key methodological and statistical issues to consider when critically appraising published research;
- Make a judgement on the credibility of methodology and statistical analysis of research articles with respect to implications for clinical practice/future research;
- Explore the development of a research idea from hypothesis through to interpretation;
- Apply research related skills to professional practice;
- Discuss issues regarding the implementation of research findings.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 60% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 40% |
The unit is assessed by a mid-term assignment of 1,500 words (40% of final mark) and a final assignment of 2,500 words (60% of final mark).
Feedback methods
Feedback given within the required timeframes.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| eAssessment | 50 |
| Work based learning | 100 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Ting-Li Su | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
The course will be delivered predominantly through e-learning over a period of 12 weeks, with three timetabled face-to-face symposiums. A variety of online material will be utilised including web-based reading, online discussions, tutor feedback, interactive exercises and selfassessment.
The face-to-face symposiums will be a mix of tutor presentations, group work and student presentations.
Self directed learning will allow reflection of material in the context of research and broaden understanding as well as knowledge.