Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
1. Module Title MEDICAL STATISTICS
2. Module Code MATH364
3. Year Session 2023-24
4. Originating Department Mathematical Sciences
5. Faculty Fac of Science & Engineering
6. Semester Second Semester
7. CATS Level Level 6 FHEQ
8. CATS Value 15
9. Member of staff with responsibility for the module
Dr EJ Nixon Mathematical Sciences Emily.Nixon@liverpool.ac.uk
10. Module Moderator
11. Other Contributing Departments  
12. Other Staff Teaching on this Module
Dr K Zychaluk Mathematical Sciences Kamila.Zychaluk@liverpool.ac.uk
Dr S Frecentese Mathematical Sciences Sara.Frecentese@liverpool.ac.uk
Dr SA Fairfax Mathematical Sciences Simon.Fairfax@liverpool.ac.uk
13. Board of Studies
14. Mode of Delivery
15. Location Main Liverpool City Campus
    Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
16. Study Hours 36

   12

       48
17.

Private Study

 102
18.

TOTAL HOURS

 150
 
    Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other
19. Timetable (if known)            
 
20. Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

 
21. Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:

 
22. Co-requisite modules:

 
23. Linked Modules:

 
24. Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a mandatory basis:
25. Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
26. Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
27. Aims
 

The aims of this module are to: demonstrate the purpose of medical statistics and the role it plays in the control of disease and promotion of health explore different epidemiological concepts and study designs apply statistical methods learnt in other programmes, and some new concepts, to medical problems and practical epidemiological research enable further study of the theory of medical statistics by using this module as a base.
 
28. Learning Outcomes
 

(LO1) Identify the types of problems encountered in medical statistics.
 

(LO2) Demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of different epidemiological study designs.
 

(LO3) Apply appropriate statistical methods to problems arising in epidemiology and interpret results.
 

(LO4) Explain and apply statistical techniques used in survival analysis.
 

(LO5) Critically evaluate statistical issues in the design and analysis of clinical trials.
 

(LO6) Discuss statistical issues related to systematic review and apply appropriate methods of meta-analysis.
 

(LO7) Apply Bayesian methods to simple medical problems.
 

(S1) Problem solving skills
 
29. Teaching and Learning Strategies
 

Material is presented during lectures (3 hours per week). Tutorials (1 hour per week) are used for consolidation and practice, and for help with individual questions.
 
30. Syllabus
   

Medical Statistics: definitions and examples.

Introduction : Motivating application to epidemiology.

Epidemiology : routine data, standardisation of illness rates, surveys, screening, cohort studies, case-control studies, causality, multiple linear and logistic regression.

Survival analysis : parametric and semi-parametric survival functions, Kaplan-Meier survival curve, log-rank test, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Clinical trials : parallel two group design, randomisation, blinding, sample size, analysis, cross-over trials.

Systematic reviews and meta-analysis : introduction to systematic review, publication bias, funnel plot, test for heterogeneity.

Bayesian methods : introduction to Bayesian analysis in clinical trials.
 
31. Recommended Texts
  Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
 

Assessment
32. EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
  Final Assessment 120 70
33. CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
  Homework 1 0 15
  Homework 2 0 15