University of Otago

This course looks at problems that are associated with discrete rather than continuous situations. So the nature of the problems is quite distinct from those that are considered in a calculus paper because the important underlying set is the integers rather than the sets of real or complex numbers. The curriculum includes a selection from the following topics: combinatorics, counting techniques, logic, graph theory, set theory, relations, number theory. There will be an emphasis on both proof techniques and practical algorithms.

The reliability of the findings from a research study depends critically on the design of the study. An understanding of the principles of study design is important for all consumers of scientific research, and essential for all those who will be carrying out scientific research. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to translate a research aim into specific study objectives, construct a study design to address the objective(s), and write a plan for the statistical analysis. Students will also learn skills in critical evaluation of published research papers. Topics include survey methods, experimental and observational studies, measurement, control of confounding and bias, evaluation of competing designs, determination of study size.