Biostatistical Methods for Clinical Research IV (BIOSTAT 210)
Fall 2024 (2 units)
This is a fourth course in statistics, covering advanced methods for building and evaluating regression models. The emphasis is on methods which cut across common families of regression models in biostatistics: cubic splines, missing data, causal inference, and model diagnostics and model comparisions. The statistics package Stata will be used throughout the course.
Objectives
The specific objectives of this course are to:
- understand cubic splines and their applications.
- understand the missing at random assumption and critique its application.
- implement multiple imputation for missing data.
- apply regression to formulate causal estimands.
- develop and critique prediction models.
Prerequisites
Designing Clinical Research (EPI 202), Biostatistical Methods I (Biostat 200), Biostatistical Methods II (BIOSTAT 208) and III (BIOSTAT 209). Exceptions may be made with the consent of the course director, space permitting.
Faculty
| Course Director: | David Glidden, PhD Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics email: [email protected] |
Format
Large Group Discussion
Content:
Brief formal review of lecture followed by question and answer discussion.
Time: Tuesdays, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, beginning September 10
Computer Laboratory
Content:
Course faculty are available to address questions on course assignments
Time: Tuesdays, 3:15 PM to 4:15 PM, September 24, October 8, 22, November 5
All course materials and handouts will be posted on the course's online syllabus.
Materials
Regression Methods in Biostatistics by Vittinghoff et al. Springer Publisher. 2nd Edition. 2012. An electronic copy of the book is available from the UCSF library: https://bit.ly/3vnPRmc (UCSF sign-in required)
Stata
The statistical software package Stata (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX) is used throughout the TICR Program and is required for this course; version 16 or higher is acceptable. A six-month student license for Stata/BE is the least expensive option that will be suitable to complete all course assignments. For students intending to enroll in courses over 1-2 years, an annual or perpetual license are better long-term options. If your research requires working with more variables, you also may wish to consider Stata/SE. We recommend that you have a personal copy of Stata and bring it on a laptop for all course sessions. Stata may be purchased at a discount for UCSF faculty/staff and official UCSF Students. You must use your ucsf.edu email address to receive the discount. If you do not purchase your own copy of Stata, UCSF faculty/staff/students may request access to Stata through the UCSF Research Analysis Environment.
Books may be purchased either through the publisher or a variety of commercial venues (e.g., Amazon.com).
Grading
Grades will be based on 6 homework assignments.
Students not in full-year TICR Programs who satisfactorily pass all course requirements will, upon request, receive a Certificate of Course Completion.
Only UCSF students (defined as individuals enrolled in UCSF degree or certificate programs) will receive academic credit for courses. Official transcripts are available to UCSF students only. A Certificate of Course Completion will be available upon request to individuals who are not UCSF students and satisfactorily pass all course requirements.
To Enroll
ATCR and MAS students use the Student Portal
Students taking individual courses:
Fall 2024 Course Fees
How to pay (please read before applying)
Fall 2024 Course Schedule
Apply by September 6, 2024.
Only one application needs to be completed for all courses desired during the quarter.