Outline

Overview

Recent years have brought a rapid growth in the amount and complexity of data in biostatistical applications. Among others, data collected in imaging, genomic, health registries, wearables, call for new statistical techniques in both predictive and descriptive learning. Machine learning algorithms for classification and prediction, complement classical statistical tools in the analysis of these data. This unit will cover several modern methods particularly useful for big and complex data. Topics include classification trees, random forests, model selection, lasso, bootstrapping, cross-validation, generalised additive model, splines, among others. The statistical software R will be used throughout the unit.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	BSTA5007 or PUBH5217
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Armando Teixeira-Pinto, armando.teixeira-pinto@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Practice exercise Interpretation and implementation of several methods	10%	Week 04	3h
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1 Interpretation and implementation of several methods	40%	Week 08	2 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Practical exercise 2 Interpretation and implementation of several methods	10%	Week 10	3h
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 Interpretation and implementation of several methods	40%	Week 12	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment will be by 2 main assignments, and 2 sets of practical exercises

Assessment criteria

Grade	Mark Range	Description
AF Absent fail	Range from 0 to 49	To be awarded to students who fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard through failure to submit or attend compulsory assessment tasks or to attend classes to the required level. In cases where a student receives some marks but fails the unit through failure to attend or submit a compulsory task, the mark entered shall be the marks awarded by the faculty up to a maximum of 49. This grade should not be used in cases where a student attempts all assessment tasks but fails to achieve a mandated minimum standard in one or more task. In such cases a Fail (FA) grade and a mark less than 50 should be awarded.
FA Fail	Range from 0 to less than 50	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty. This grade, with corresponding mark, should also be used in cases where a student fails to achieve a mandated standard in a compulsory assessment, thereby failing to demonstrate the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.
PS Pass	Range from 50 to less than 65	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard
CR Credit	Range from 65 to less than 75	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard
D Distinction	Range from 75 to less than 85	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard
HD High distinction	Range from 85 to 100 inclusive	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

If no extension has been given, 5% of the earned mark for an assignment will be deducted for each day that an assignment is late, up to a maximum of 50%. NOTE: It is not the intention of this late penalty policy to cause a student to fail the unit when otherwise they would have passed. If deductions for late assignments result in the final unit mark for a student being less than 50, when otherwise it would have been 50 or greater, the student's final mark will be exactly 50.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Module 1 - Introduction to Machine Learning	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 02	Module 2 - Regression and Classification	Independent study (20 hr)
Week 04	Module 3 - Resampling methods	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 05	Module 4 - Regularisation and model selection	Independent study (20 hr)
Week 07	Module 5 - Beyond linearity	Independent study (20 hr)
Week 09	Module 6 - Beyond additivity	Independent study (30 hr)
Week 12	Module 7 - Unsupervised learning	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 13	Module 8 - Elective topic (Neural networks, ensemble learning, Adaboost)	Independent study (10 hr)

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Recognise situations where machine learning methods can offer advantages over traditional statistical modelling approaches to data analyses in health applications
LO2. Recognise and explain the differences between the goals of description and prediction
LO3. Determine and implement appropriate machine learning approaches for description and prediction in real-world health applications
LO4. Measure and explain the uncertainty of the results of analyses using machine learning approaches
LO5. Interpret the results of analyses using machine learning in light of the assumptions required, the quality of input data, and the sensitivity to the specific technique implemented
LO6. Critically appraise published papers concerning machine learning applications for classification or prediction in health
LO7. Effectively communicate results of analyses in language suitable for a clinical or epidemiological 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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA)

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BSTA5018: Machine Learning in Biostatistics

Semester 2, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect