Bi2560 Basics of statistics for biologists I

Faculty of Science
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Kateřina Kintrová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Kateřina Kintrová, Ph.D.
Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Kintrová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable of Seminar Groups
Bi2560/01: Mon 16. 2. to Fri 22. 5. Wed 10:00–11:50 B09/316, K. Kintrová
Bi2560/02: Mon 16. 2. to Fri 22. 5. Wed 12:00–13:50 B09/316, K. Kintrová
Prerequisites
This course is taught in the Czech language.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 56 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 53/56, only registered: 0/56, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/56
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
The aim is to explain statistical thinking to students and lay the theoretical foundations of statistical methods. We will familiarize ourselves with basic statistical models, point and interval parameter estimates, and the formulation of statistical hypotheses.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to: understand statistical terminology and notation; characterize a data set using sample estimates of location and variability; distinguish among basic probability distribution models; work with the concept of quantiles — both graphically and in written form; interpret the confidence interval of the mean; read a statistical hypothesis statement.
Key topics
1. Introduction: basic description of the data table, types of measured data; 2. Characteristics of location; 3. Characteristics of variability; 4. Theoretical probability distribution model; 5. Quantiles; 6. Continuous probability distribution model; 7. Discrete probability distribution model; 8. Point estimator of parameters; 9. Interval estimator of parameters; 10. Confidence interval - construction and interpretation; 11. Formulating of statistical hypotheses.
Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • ZVÁRA, Karel. Základy statistiky v prostředí R. 1. vyd. Praha: Karolinum, 2013, 259 s. ISBN 9788024622453. info
  • LEPŠ, Jan and Petr ŠMILAUER. Biostatistika. Vydání 1. České Budějovice: Nakladatelství Jihočeské univerzity v Českých Budějovicích, 2016, 438 stran. ISBN 9788073945879. info
    not specified
  • CRAWLEY, Michael J. Statistics : an introduction using R. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2005, xiii, 327. ISBN 0470022973. info
  • SOKAL, Robert R. and F. James ROHLF. Biometry : the principles and practice of statistics in biological research. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: W.H. Freeman and Company, 2012, xix, 937. ISBN 9780716786047. info
  • ZAR, Jerrold H. Biostatistical analysis. Fifth edition. Uttar Pradesh, India: Pearson India Education Services, 2014, 756 stran. ISBN 9789332536678. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Lectures, commentated examples; practical processing of data in MS Excel, homework.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Sufficient attendance and written credit work.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Study support
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/sci/jaro2026/Bi2560/um/
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
The interactive curriculum is in preparation on IS MUNI.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2026/Bi2560