Quick links: Videos | Workshops | Module synopsis | VLE Site | List of staff | The data | Report Guide

Intro

This module will teach you how to analyse large biological data sets. We use R Studio as a tool, but this is not a module about R Studio. We use statistical tests, but this is not a module about statistics. This module is about using large tables of data to understand biology. Keep your eyes open, you may see something wonderful. We hope so.

The formal Module synopsis and learning outcomes are here.

How this module works (what you need to do)

  • Attend the workshops. We have five workshops this term. Attend them all. In these workshops we will teach you how to do data analysis.

  • Data sets: we have four data sets, and exercises for each. You should choose two that you like, and work though the exercises during the workshops. Choose **one* of these two write your report on.

  • Watch some data analysis and R skills videos. All the videos are here. A list of the order that we suggest watching them in is in the week by week guide in the VLE.

  • Assessement: Do some analysis using one of the data sets we provide and write a 1500 word report about it.

  • Hand the report in before Thursday 21st of April 2022 at 11am.

Week by week guide

See the VLE for the week by week guide of what to do.

Videos

All the videos are here

Lectures

There are only three lectures for this module.

There are other short videos to watch throughout the term. See the week by week guide on the VLE for this.

The assessement

The assessment for this module is a report describing an analysis of data (maximum 1500 words). A description of what we want to see, and how we will mark the report is here

The assessment deadline is: Thursday 21nd of April 2022 at 11am

Workshops

There are five workshops for this module. You should attend though all of them. In workshops 1-4 you sould run throgh the exercise sfor your favouite two data sets. All the workshop material is here. In workshop 5, we'll look at report writing.

Feel free to use and/or modify any R code from the workshops.

The Google Hangout

We use a Google Hangout to share questions/answers, plots and R code during the workshops. You can join here. Some people find the R code on the Hangout useful as a resource. Use of the Hangout is optional.

As your posts to the Google Hangout are personal data, we comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You can read about this, and some rules for good conduct here.

Getting help

Big data analysis isn't always easy. But you can do it. Here's how to get help if you are stuck:

  1. Problems with R code. Read your code very carefully. Make sure you have closed all the brackets, not missed out a comma etc. That is often the problem.
  2. Check out our video guides here.
  3. Post your question on the Google Hangout.
  4. Ask one me (Dan), Andrea, Katie, Daphne or of the tutors during a workshop. We are nice people :-)
  5. Post your question on the VLE discussion board.

Outro

We hope you enjoy this module. Even if it wasn't strictly fun the skills you learn here will help in 3rd year, and beyond. Your R Studio data analysis skill can be used in all kinds of jobs. So mention your proficiency in data analysis on your CV.