First Year Seminar 191CNS56 - FYS- Topics in CNS

First-year (R1ST) Title: Trial by Data: How We Judge New Medications
How do we know if a new medical technology or medication is effective? Who gets to decide if it is? Why should we trust the claim that it is or isn't? In this course, we will simulate a clinical trial, and you will play the role of the lead statistician (no statistics background required)! We will explore the questions and choices that statisticians make when designing a study and learn how the outcome can hinge upon these choices. This is a choose-your-own-adventure where there are no wrong answers! You will learn a little about statistics along the way, but most importantly, you will learn how to think critically about scientific claims (like the ones you see in those advertisements with the small print at the bottom). We will also discuss skills and strategies that can help you succeed during your first semester of college.