LQB286 Quantitative Skills for Health Scientists
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| Unit code: | LQB286 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $7,452 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LQB286 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Natalie Pecheniuk | n.pecheniuk@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Quantitative Skills for Health Scientists develops and reinforces key foundational numerical literacy, practical and quantitative skills which are required for practicing biomedical and/or medical laboratory scientists. The unit provides opportunities to apply these skills through collaborative workshops which provide a forum for practically applying numerical skills and data analysis, to enhance scientific communication in the biomedical sciences. This unit is designed to expand students' knowledge of important skills and competencies in numeracy, mathematical operations, data collection and analysis, and biostatistics, that provide a strong foundation for continuing studies in the broad range of biomedical disciplines and related health areas.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Effectively communicate biomedical data, demonstrating an ability to represent and interpret statistical data through graphs, tables, and summaries.
- Use skills in solving quantitative problems, including the application of numerical and scientific literacy to measurements, units, and equations relevant to biomedical and broader sciences.
- Apply principles of numerical analysis, experimental design, biostatistics, and data interpretation to solve problems and analyse quantitative biomedical data using appropriate methods and tools.
- Illustrate competencies in the understanding and application of biostatistical methods to analyse data from biomedical experiments, ensuring accuracy in interpretation and decision-making.
Content
In this unit you will develop a range of academic, scientific and data skills that are essential for all practicing biomedical scientists and related health professions. The content of this unit includes:
- An introduction and reinforcement of basic mathematical concepts that are commonly used in biomedical sciences: working with decimals and significant figures, exponentials and logarithms, percentages, scientific notation, basic equations and algebra.
- Commonly used mathematical measurements, equations and calculations applied in the practice of laboratory biomedical science.
- Experimental design from standard data formats to collecting data and clinical experimental design.
- Introduction to the use of statistical analysis packages available for visualisation and use in statistical concepts.
- Understanding of statistical concepts such as hypothesis testing, distributions and inference.
- Use of appropriate statistical analysis for data analysis and interpretation or when identifying relationships between numerical and/or categorical variables.
- Communication, numerical literacy and project/data management skills necessary for studying, practicing and communicating quantitative biomedical data.
Learning Approaches
Blended learning approaches will be employed to integrate teaching and learning through online resources, tutorials and interactive practical workshops. This unit provides an environment that is focused on the foundational underpinnings of mathematical and statistical theory which is then applied in the context of biomedical learning, practice and scenarios. Here you will be exposed to the application and interpretation of data analysis using computer assisted programs (statistical software) and focus on the accurate communication of numerical, categorial and continuous data in both visual and written forms. The teaching team is comprised of statisticians and experienced biomedicals scientists to support you learning of data analytical skills required in the biomedical sciences.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Immediate feedback on your own progress can be obtained by completing the self-directed learning activities available to you on Canvas, where available. You will be provided with feedback on your learning by participating in formative assessment items and discussing them with the teaching staff. General comments on each assessment item will be provided either via Canvas or in-class.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment items for this unit are designed to develop and assess your understanding of mathematics, statistics and data analytical skills that you will encounter in the practice of biomedical science. There are two examinations to assess both your mathematical and statistical understanding of theory and application. You will also engage in a series of problem solving tasks throughout the semester that progressively reflects the real-world challenges encountered in research and diagnostic labs, that is numerical concepts in the lab; data gathering and communication; data analysis; and data integration.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You are a key scientist in a biomedical research institution with hospital affiliation that has dynamic laboratory environments with many research streams and projects and your numerical and statistical skills require precision, communication and correct analytics which are key to achieving impactful biomedical discoveries for solving, treating and preventing health issues and problems. The problem-solving task is a series of 4 worksheets that tackle biomedical scenarios that complement your learning that is covered in theory and workshop activities. These tasks are designed to strengthen your numerical and scientific literacy, and quantitative skills, essential for accuracy and reliability in biomedical science environments.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Examination
This multiple-choice examination will assess your knowledge, use and understanding of numbers, measurements, units of measure and use of equations in biomedical sciences. This numerical literacy underpins the practice and communication of biomedical data.
Assessment: Examination
Examination to assess the competency and comprehension using biostatistical frameworks and methods which apply to biomedical experimental design, data analysis and data interpretation. Short answer questions designed around key concepts of statistics and biomedical scenarios.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
No textbook required.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination, Examination - Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task - Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination - Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team and demonstrate professional behaviour.
Relates to: Examination - Apply knowledge and skills to rapidly source, critically analyse and communicate biomedical science information using appropriate technologies.
Relates to: Examination
LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
- Discipline Knowledge
Relates to: ULO4, Problem Solving Task, Examination, Examination - Analysis and interpretation of data
Relates to: ULO2, Problem Solving Task, Examination, Examination - Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
Relates to: ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Examination, Examination - Scientific communication skills including information literacy and numeracy
Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task
LV41 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination, Examination - Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task - Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination - Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team, by demonstrating professional behaviour and participating in continuous learning.
Relates to: Examination - Apply knowledge and skills to rapidly source, critically analyse and communicate biomedical science information using appropriate technologies.
Relates to: Examination