140.698.01
Spatial Analysis III: Spatial Statistics

Location
East Baltimore
Term
3rd Term
Department
Biostatistics
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
Tu, Th, 1:30 - 2:50pm
Lab Times
Wednesday, 3:30 - 4:20pm (01)
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Frank Curriero
Michael Desjardins
Contact Name
Frank Curriero
Contact Email
fcurrier@jhsph.edu
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

140.621.-623 (enrollment in 140.623 may be concurrent with enrollment in this course)

Description
Introduces statistical techniques used to model, analyze, and interpret public health related spatial data. Analysis of spatially dependent data is cast into a general framework based on regression methodology. Topics covered include the geostatistical techniques of kriging and variogram analysis and point process methods for spatial case control and area-level analysis. Although the focus is on statistical modeling, students will also cover topics related to clustering and cluster detection of disease events. Although helpful, knowledge of specific GIS software is not required. Instruction in the public domain statistical package R/RStudio, (to be used for analysis), is provided.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the concept of spatial dependence and apply techniques to quantify it with different types of spatial data
  2. Conduct routine spatial statistical analysis using extended regression techniques within the R Statistical Computing Environment software
  3. Identify the potential consequences of overlooking spatial information when conducting certain types of public health research
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 60% Assignments
  • 10% Lab Assignments
  • 15% Quizzes
  • 15% Final Exam
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Consent Contact
fcurrier@jhsph.edu
Jointly Offered With
Epidemiology
Special Comments

The course schedule includes 2 lecture periods and one lab per week. The lab hour is devoted mostly to computing for the assigned problem sets. All Tuesday and Thursday lectures (1:30-2:50pm EDT) will be delivered in a synchronous remote format. The Wednesday lab (3:30-4:20pm EDT) will be in person with a remote option. If you are planning to attend the entire course remotely (i.e. remote for the Wednesday lab) then register for the .41 section. If you plan to attend the Wednesday lab in-person, then register for the .01 section.