90928 - Acquisition of Computer Skills and Biostatistics

Learning outcomes

With this course a student acquires basic computer science knowledge, with an emphasis on computer networks, the WWW, the use of spreadsheets and the use of databases for scientific research. Acquires the basic statistical skills that allow to understand and use the methods used to analyse experimental data in the field. In particular the student will acquire working knowledge of descriptive statistics, probability and some relevant tests of statistical inference.

Course contents

Course contents

1st part:

At the end of this course the student has acquired the basics of the WWW, the use of spreadsheets such as MS Excel in order to be able to analize scientific data and create graphs. The student acquires the knowledge sufficient to use the tools that are needed to organize his/her work, including laboratory activities.

2nd part:

Experimental uncertainties and representation of measurements. Absolute and relative errors. Random and systematic errors. Sensitivity, precision and accuracy. Probability distributions. Position and dispersion indexes. Gaussian distribution. Mean, error on mean.

Probability and aleatory variables. Samples and events. Simple and complex events. Axioms of probability. Definitions of probability: a-priori, frequentist and subjective. Bernoulli theorem. Expected events. Product and sum. Conditional probability. Total probability theorem. Bayes theorem and applications to diagnostic tests.

Elements of statistical inference. Variance analysis. Comparing two groups. More than two group

Teaching methods

Lectures, slides and modules on Virtuale

Assessment methods

Multiple choice quizzes

Simulations of the exam quizzes are available on Virtuale

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Patrignani