MAS8406 : Numeric Skills for Digital Biology
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Tom Nye
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
To introduce fundamental statistical and mathematical concepts and techniques of importance in Bioinformatics, Synthetic Biology and Neuroinformatics (collectively referred to as digital biology)
Module Summary
This module provides an introduction to the basic statistics and mathematics skills that you need for computational aspects of biology. The module covers both statistics and aspects of discrete mathematics
Outline Of Syllabus
Statistics:
Introduction to data analysis; probability axioms; combinatorics; conditional probability; discrete probability models; continuous probability models; properties of estimators; sampling distributions; central limit theorem; statistical inference; maximum likelihood estimation.
Mathematics:
Set theory; functions; linear algebra.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 16 | 1:00 | 16:00 | Non-Synchronous (Pre-recorded) Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Revision and practice for computer based assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Present in person tutorial/problems class |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Present in person practical |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 3 | 4:00 | 12:00 | Coursework |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Present in person drop-in |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 14:00 | 14:00 | Background reading |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 16 | 2:00 | 32:00 | Lecture follow up |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Pre-recorded lectures and set reading are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples. Practicals are used both for solution of problems and work requiring extensive computation and to give insight into the ideas/methods studied. There is one present-in-person practical session per week to ensure rapid feedback on understanding. There is one present-in-person tutorial each week which are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems and to identify and resolve specific queries raised by students. There is one present-in-person drop-in each week to provide opportunity to ask questions and receive immediate feedback.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 100 | Mathematical and statistical problem-solving exercises assessed through written and computer based questions (NUMBAS) |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Mathematical and statistical problem-solving exercises assessed through written and computer based questions (NUMBAS) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The module is assessed, formatively and summatively, through coursework which uses a combination of written and computer based assessment. The tutorials also provide formative learning and feedback opportunities.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MAS8406's Timetable