Biostatistics
BIOL-X404.05
Statistics provides the basic framework for thinking about data in a rigorous fashion. Biostatistics applies this thorough examination of data to information gathered in the biological sciences, including clinical trials, public health, environmental health, genetics, and genomics. Biostatisticians help researchers design experiments and studies, collect and analyze data, and draw meaningful conclusions communicated to the public. It seeks to differentiate between correlation and causation to uncover the proper interpretation of data.
This course is intended as both a refresher and a first course in the applications of statistical thinking and methods within the biological sciences. It emphasizes key attributes that contribute to clinical trial research and design. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be covered, and students will be challenged to evaluate scientific research within their field of interest critically.
Note: Many of our current students enroll in this course to meet admission requirements for medical, nursing, or other healthcare programs. This class is a 4.5 unit course which means it has 45 instructional hours. The final decision on course acceptance is made by the receiving university. You can download the syllabus on the right side of this page. For any questions, please email us at appliedscience@ucsd.edu.
Next Steps: After completing this course, consider taking Biostatistical Methods I: Linear Regression and ANOVA to continue learning.
Topics include:
- Basic probability
- Discrete and continuous distributions
- Descriptive statistics
- Confidence intervals
- Hypothesis-testing
- Correlation
- Simple regression
- Chi-square tests
- Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
- Nonparametric methods
Practical experience:
- Organize, summarize, and present data
- Describe the relation between two variables
- Understand basic probability and probability distributions
- Work with sample data to make inferences about a population
Software: Students are encouraged to use R to complete course assignments, although not required.
Prerequisites: None
Course typically offered: Online in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Fundamentals of Biostatistics 8th Edition by Bernard Rosner - ISBN / ASIN: 9781305268920
Policies:
Drop Refund Deadline:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Bryan McComb
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
Drop Refund Deadline:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Bryan McComb
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
Drop Refund Deadline:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Deniz Ozisik
Prior to her current position, Dr. Ozisik held biostatistics and research roles at Georgetown University Medical Center, Novartis, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. In these areas of big impact her work specifically spanned survival analysis, longitudinal modeling, machine learning, and precision medicine.
Dr. Ozisik earned her PhD in Biostatistics from Georgetown University in 2025, where her doctoral research developed new statistical methodologies for high-dimensional, accelerometer-derived physical activity data. Her passion for data and impact was a steady constant in her educational journey. She holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a B.S. in Biology and Mathematics from Northeastern University.
As a multidisciplinary researcher, Dr. Ozisik enjoys collaborating with professionals from different backgrounds and bringing statistical expertise to change the world around us for the better!
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
Drop Refund Deadline:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Bryan McComb
