L0: Course Orientation

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# L0: Course Orientation
### Jean Morrison
### University of Michigan
### 2022-01-05 (updated: 2022-01-05)

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# Welcome + Course Basics

+ We will meet twice a week in person:
  - Monday's 1-2:30 in M1152 SPH II
  - Wednesday's 1-2:30 in M3755 SPH I

+ Textbook: 
  - ["What If?" By Miguel Hernán and James Robins](https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/miguel-hernan/causal-inference-book/) 
  - Other readings will be provided as pdfs

+ Office Hours:
  - Monday 2:40-3:30 in-person (M4034, conference room)
  - Wednesday 2:40-3:30 by Zoom
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# Course Structure

Tour of [Canvas site](https://umich.instructure.com/courses/497614)

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# What is Causal Inference?

+ Causal inference is the art and science of using statistical tools to answer causal questions.

+ Interpreting statistical parameters as causal parameters requires:

- A language and philosophy of causality.
  - A model of the system you are studying.

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# What We Will Learn in this Class

+ Languages of causality:

- Counterfactuals and Potential Outcomes
  - Graphical models
  - Structural Equation Models

+ Identifiability conditions

+ Estimation strategies:
  - Weighting, standardization, G-estimation
  - Propensity scores and matching
  - Instrumental variable analysis
  - Methods for time-varying treatment
  - `\(\dots\)`

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# About Me

- Jean Morrison (call me Jean, Dr. Morrison is also ok) (they/them).

- Research Interests:

+ Statistical genetics
  + Instrumental variable analysis with genetic instruments
  + High dimensional biological data
  + Data integration (combining multiple sources of Hi-D data)
  + Applications of  ML tools in causal inference.

- I like animals and outdoor activities (hiking, biking, kayaking, etc). 
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# About This Class

- This is the first teaching of this variation of BIOSTAT 881.

- Please tell me what you like and what you don't like.

- Plans may change as the semester progresses.

- I will teach it again next year: If you are auditing because you don't have 
time this year, consider taking the class next year.

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# About This Class

- The goal is to create an active, collaborative, learning environment.

- Ground rules: 
  + Be engaged, ask questions, and contribute to discussions.
  + Complete assignments on schedule. 
  + Be respectful of me and your classmates.

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# Covid Contingency Plans

- The class is in-person unless the University changes course (I do not control this).

- There will always be a Zoom option:

+ Let me know ahead of time if you are planning to Zoom. 
  + Use the Zoom option for circumstances when you really can't be here
  (you or your family are sick or exposed, an emergency has kept you home, travel disruptions, etc.).
  + You don't have to tell me why you are Zooming in.

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# Intro Survey

Please fill out [the introductory survey](https://forms.gle/EfComH5FDyTovbf79) by Friday.