Bios 323: Applied Survival Analysis

Summary: This is an introductory course in the analysis of time to event data where censoring and truncation may be present. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Distinguish different types of survival data (e.g., completed, right/left censored, right/left truncated);
• Identify basic quantities and survival models;
• Conduct basic nonparametric and parametric inferences and hypothesis testing;
• Apply semiparametric cox proportional hazards model and check its assumption;
• Basic knowledge of other survival analysis;
• Use R/Stata software to analyze various datasets.

Instructor: Qingxia (Cindy) Chen, Department of Biotatistics, MCN D2204, 6-8058, cindy.chen@vanderbilt.edu

TA: Hui Nian, Department of Biotatistics, 5-3004, hui.nian@vanderbilt.edu

Lecture Time and Place: TTH 1:30-3:00pm, Light Hall 306 A/B.

Office Hour: T 3:00-4:00pm, MCN D-2204
Lab: W 11:00-12:00pm, Light Hall 433.

Textbooks:

• Klein & Moeschberger (K&M): Survival Analysis: Techniques for censored and truncated data (2003, 2nd edition)

Reference Books:

• Modeling Survival Data: Extending the Cox Model by Terry M. Therneau and Patricia M. Grambsch (2000)

Course Components: There will be six homework assignments, worth a total of 30 points, and two exams (Midterm and Final), worth 30 and 40 points, respectively. You must do all homework problems on your own, although you may discuss the problems with other students. Assignments must be turned in on time for credit. Grades will be based on the total points achieved.