Biological Data Analysis
UndergraduateMAQ-BIOX26102025
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 24 Feb 2025
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Biological Data Analysis
About this subject
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Develop testable hypotheses from general scientific questions
- Design an unconfounded experiment to test a given scientific hypothesis
- Choose an appropriate statistical test to analyse experimental data
- Carry out and correctly interpret a range of commonly used statistical tests using the computer package R
- Clearly present outcomes of statistical analyses using figures, tables and text
- Critically evaluate other studies with respect to experimental design and the application and interpretation of statistics
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
Biological organisms are inherently variable, which means that practicing biologists need a solid grasp of how to design and implement experiments, perform statistical analyses on the resulting data, and correctly interpret the results of statistical tests. This unit provides a foundation in the principles of experimental design and data analysis for biology. The unit is taught by biology staff and draws on research carried out in the Department of Biological Sciences. Students also learn the overall process of asking and answering questions in biology. Students learn a range of common data analysis techniques, and how to interpret the outcomes of these analyses. There is a strong emphasis on critically evaluating biological studies and identifying sound conclusions and not-so-sound conclusions. This unit is strongly recommended for students planning a career in biology or environmental science.
Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Practice-based tasks (0%)
- Final Exam (45%)
- Exam of Basic Stats Knowledge (5%)
- Experiment Report (20%)
- Weekly quiz (15%)
- Mid semester exam (15%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
MAQ-FOSX1015-Statistical Concepts for Science (no longer available)
To help set you up for success before you start this subject, we suggest completing or having equivalent knowledge in:
Others
NCCW (pre-2020 units): BIOL235, PSY222, PSY248, STAT270, STAT271, BIOL603
Pre-requisite: 40cp at 1000 level or above including (((STAT1170 or STAT170(P)) or (STAT1250 or STAT150) or (STAT1371 or STAT171) or FOSE1015) and (10cp(P) in BBE or BIOL units))
NCCW (2020 and onwards): BIOL2610 Biological Data Analysis or STAT2170 Applied Statistics or BIOL6610 Biological Data Analysis or STAT2371 Statistics or PSYU2248 Design and Statistics II
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-BSC-DEG
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