LIKELIHOOD METHODS AND MODELS IN ECOLOGY

April 22 – 26, 2013

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Millbrook, NY

INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Charles D. Canham, email: canhamc@caryinstitute.org

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies will offer an intensive one-week course in the use of likelihood methods in ecology from April 22^nd – 26^th, 2013. The methods provide a powerful tool for linking models and data, and provide a flexible alternative to traditional, parametric statistical analyses. Labs will be based on use of the R statistical computing package.

Location and fees: The course will be taught on the campus of the Cary Institute, in Millbrook, New York (roughly 90 miles north of New York City). The $750 course fee includes housing during the course in Institute housing. Students will be responsible for their travel expenses and meals. Course fees must be submitted by April 1, 2013. Details on how to submit the fees will be sent after initial registration.

Course description: The goal of the course is to introduce students to the concepts and methods of use of likelihood and information theory in data analysis and statistical modeling. The labs will focus on the use of software tools in R that allow the students to construct their own analyses and models. Most of the examples used in the course will be drawn from forest ecology.

Course Website:

More information can be found at http://www.sortie-nd.org/lme/lme.html

Target audience and prerequisites: The course is intended for graduate students, post-docs, and practicing scientists. An undergraduate or graduate level background in statistics is desired, but the course will teach the basic principles of probability theory required for the methods. Students will need to be familiar with R. For novices, there are many tutorials online to provide a basic introduction to R – these should be completed before the start of the class.

Registration and class size: Class size will be limited to 16 students. To register, send an e-mail to Charles Canham at canhamc@caryinstitute.org containing your name, mailing address, e-mail address, phone number and a brief statement of your research interests. Please put “2013 Likelihood Course Registration” in the subject line of the message.