To learn the relationship between the scientific question, choice of study design, analyses and the presentation and interpretation of results.

The course will start with basic statistics, but quickly progress to advanced statistical modelling and the association between statistical modelling and study design. Example of topics: Basic statistical terminology such as population, sample, independence, various types of variables, statistical and biological significance, degrees of freedom, and statistical distributions; Basic descriptive and exploratory statistics; The applicability of statistical modelling with topics such as: Selection of the most parsimonious model through various procedures, AIC, Cp, average modelling, Bayesian modelling, and common sense; Generalised linear mixed models with various link functions and error distributions; Multivariate analysis; From statistical to predictive mathematical models.

Taught in English. Lectures and exercises in the computer-lab. Exercises in combination with 6SU 321 that result in individual written reports. .

Three individual reports in combination with 6SU 311. Each report will receive two separate evaluations, where 6SU 321 will evaluate the statistics, structure of the report and presentation of results. The scientific content of the three reports count for 45% of the evaluation (15% for each report) and an oral exam counts 55%. Grading according to ECTS-system on scale A – E for passed, and F for failed.