Statistics Course and Excursion

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  • The statistics course and practical as well as the field course excursion and seminar are required for all EES Master's students.
  • The destination of the field course alternates between the Wadden Sea, on the northern coast of Germany, and the Alps. In 2007, the trip was to the Wadden Sea, and in 2008 and 2009, it was to the Alps.
  • Learn more about the Summer 2007 Excursion to the Wadden Sea.
  • Learn more about the Summer 2008 and Summer 2009 Excursions to the Alps.

Contents

Module P7

Overview

  • Instructor for Statistics: Dirk Metzler
  • Instructor for Excursion: Susanne Foitzik & others
  • Description: The lectures will provide the students with an overview and background knowledge of the most important topics in statistics for biologists. In the practical course they will apply this knowledge to actual data, while becoming familiar with statistics software.
  • Goals: In this module, students will refresh and extend their knowledge of statistics.
  • ECTS points: 3

Statistics Lecture

  • Course No.: P7.1
  • Description: The lectures will provide the students with an overview of the most important topics in statistics for biologists. Topics include applied statistical testing, analysis of variance, regression and likelihood methods. Under applied statistical tests, students will learn how to select the proper test, to detect typical mistakes in using tests, and to perform transformations and power analyses. Students will learn about linear, multi-dimensional, partial and non-linear regressions, in addition to ANCOVAs. Students will learn how to use ANOVAs, including the general linear model, the 1- and 2-factorial analysis of variance, and nonparametric methods.
  • Goals: Students acquire a firm knowledge of important statistical methods and tools, such as the analysis of variance (ANOVA).
  • Type of Instruction: Lecture
  • ECTS points: 1

Statistics Computer Practical Course

  • Course No.: P7.2
  • Description: In this practical course, students are introduced to a statistics package (e.g. R or SPSS) and do exercises in which they apply the knowledge they have gathered in the lecture.
  • Goals: Students learn how to use a statistics software and to apply their knowledge to practical problems.
  • Type of Instruction: Practical
  • ECTS points: 2

Field Course Seminar

  • Course No.: P7.3
  • Description: In this seminar, students will read articles and book chapters that will introduce them to the specific habitat which they will visit during the excursion.
  • Goals: The goal of this seminar is that students are well prepared for the excursion.
  • Type of Instruction: Seminar
  • ECTS points: 1

Field Course Excursion

  • Course No.: P7.4
  • Description: The excursion will provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to a habitat (e.g., high alpine valleys or the North Sea). It will include small field projects followed by a thorough statistical analysis of the data.

Zoological, botanical and fungal systematics, ecology and human impact will be taught concurrently to give a comprehensive understanding of the ecological selection pressures and evolutionary interactions between species. After a multi-day introduction to the selected habitat, students will work in groups on small research questions. The collected data will be analysed statistically following the excursion. In short talks, students will present the results of their small research projects and will put their different projects into context.

  • Goals: Students receive an interdisciplinary introduction to a natural habitat including zoological, botanical and fungal systematics, ecology and human impact.
  • Types of Instruction: Excursion/Practical
  • ECTS points: 2


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