Online Biostatistics Course and Class Overviews

Online classes in biostatistics usually satisfy some requirements for healthcare degrees, especially those in public health. These classes may also provide continuing education units for health service professionals and mathematicians. Since biostatistics is a valuable interpretive tool in epidemiology, the two disciplines are often presented together.

Overview of Online Biostatistics Courses

Online biostatistics classes usually form part of the curriculum for degree programs like the Bachelor of Science in Public Health. A Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in Health Informatics program can also require class work in biostatistics. Biostatistics class credits can be applied toward the completion of graduate degree programs such as the Master of Public Health in Public Health Practice or Master of Science in Statistics. Some institutions also offer certificates in epidemiology and biostatistics.

General Requirements for Online Courses

Biostatistics classes may require students to have previous linear algebra, calculus or statistics experience. Enrollment may also hinge upon a person's level of scientific training and knowledge of medical terminology as well. Calculators with statistical functions may be required, and courses that use statistical analysis programs often charge an additional fee for licensing rights.

Sample List of Online Biostatistics Courses

Introduction to Biostatistics Course

This course presents basic concepts of probability, sample size, outliers, medical uncertainties, predictive value and missing data prevalence. Lessons cover random and bootstrap sampling. Students learn the various types of tests such as diagnostic, goodness of fit and non-inferiority. In addition, they study the historical overview of biostatistics.

Advanced Biostatistics Course

Students build on their previous exposure to biostatistics by defining serial and parallel testing, examining nonparametric methods and studying receiver operating characteristic curves. They also learn to define odds ratios, relative and attributable risks, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. The course also introduces basic concepts in survival analysis.

Designing, Implementing and Interpreting Clinical Trials Course

Students review the history and use of clinical trials, discover how to properly determine sample size, define a control group and apply statistical models. They examine different types of adaptive trial designs in comparison to classical designs. Teachings also discuss the differences between Bayesain and frequentist analysis.

Using Biostatistics in Epidemiology and Public Health Course

This course explains how biostatistics applies to epidemiology in order to identify, report, prevent and control population-wide disease paths in defined geographic areas. Lessons cover bias and validity as well as both univariate and multivariate models. Students design studies, examine data and review historical cases to craft effective public health strategies.

Using Biostatistics to Analyze and Predict Survival Rates Course

Enrollees analyze variance techniques, utilize Kaplan-Meier survival curves and develop time-to-event models to predict survival rates. They also examine Covariate data, Cox proportional hazards and frailty models. Students also learn to apply recurrent event and competing risk analysis to the physical, life and social sciences.