Skip to main content
Unit of study_

BSTA5021: Biostatistics Research Project 2

Semester 1, 2024 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The goal of this capstone unit of study is to give students practical experience in the application of the knowledge and skills learnt during the coursework Master's program. This unit is for students who wish to do a second capstone research project. The second project does not need to include multivariable regression modelling, but must differ from the first project (BSTA5020) in terms of aims and statistical methods used or investigated. This could include, for example, developing a new statistical method, designing a study including complex sample size estimation using simulation, or producing data management tools for large complex datasets.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BSTA5021
Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
48 credit points including BSTA5004 and (BSTA5008 or BSTA5009 or BSTA5210 or BSTA5211)
Corequisites
? 
BSTA5020
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Andrew Grant, andrew.grant1@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Statistical analysis plan
Completion of a statistical analysis plan proforma
10% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation hurdle task Oral presentation
Audiovisual presentation
20% Week 10
Due date: 29 Apr 2024 at 23:59
10-12 mins, 15 slides
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Research project portfolio
Written reflective preface and project report
70% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
6000 words, 30-40 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Research portfolio: a portfolio containing a reflective preface and a project report. This project report must utilise different methods to those employed in the project submitted for assessment in BSTA5020.

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark Range Description
High Distinction 85-100 Demonstrates the learning outcomes at an exceptional standard
Distinction 75-84 Demonstrates the learning outcomes at a very high standard
Credit 65-74 Demonstrates the learning outcomes at a good standard
Pass 50-64 Demonstrates the learning outcomes at an acceptable standard
Fail 0-49 Does not meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Research Project (as approved by the Unit Coordinator) Independent study (140 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Appreciate the challenges facing biostatisticians in professional practice
  • LO2. Demonstrate strategies for elicitation of pertinent research questions and associated biostatistical issues from a health or medical research project
  • LO3. Collaborate with a health or medical researcher in devising a strategy for statistical analysis of research data
  • LO4. Perform data integrity checks and an appropriate statistical analysis
  • LO5. Present results and interpretation of biostatistical analyses in a written report of a standard suitable for publication in an academic journal

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The assessments for the course (statistical analysis plan, oral presentation, and research project portfolio) have been converted from pass/fail to graded assessments, in response to the BCA Program Review conducted in 2019, and the Master of Biostatistics Course review conducted by the University of Sydney in 2021. These graded assessments will provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate excellence in both relevant technical and so-called 'soft' skills, and facilitate continuous project progress throughout the semester.
  • Departmental permission is required to undertake this unit of study.
  • For Supervision (SU) mode, an appropriate project and supervisory arrangements must be in place before permission will be granted; the project must utilise different statistical methods than those used for the project assessed in BSTA5020.
  • Professional Practice (PP) mode is only available to NSW Ministry of Health Biostatistics Training Program candidates, with enrolment coinciding with the timing of their Final Assessment presentations.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.