This course features a hands-on approach to learning, dividing class time between lectures, case studies and practicals using the free R software environment for statistical computation and graphics.

The presented models will be applied to biological, biomedical and environmental data.

• General aspects of fitting regression models (e.g. modelling strategies, and validating, describing and simplifying the model).
• Linear regression models.
• Generalized linear models (e.g. logistic and Poisson regression).
• Nonparametric regression (e.g. scatterplot smoothers, generalized additive models).
• Classification and regression trees (e.g. CART).
• Mixed-effect models

The participants are expected to have prior experience with R and basic statistics in general. To be more specific, they are required to know how to use R for standard statistical analyses (e.g. doing a t-test), and they should know about the fundamental data structures such as vectors, lists and data frames.

Ideally, the participants have already followed the "An Introduction to the Practice of Statistics Using R" training.

Dates :  Thursdays 29 September, 6 & 20 October, 3 & 17 November 2011 (5 days)

Schedule : 8.55 - 17.00

Location : University of Neuchâtel, Faculté des sciences, UniMail, building C , room C001

Credit points : 3.0 credit points (Research tools) 

Information : Please contact Diego Kuonen or the doctoral program coordinator Christiane Bobillier (administration)

Evaluation : A practical evaluation (case study or exercises) has to be passed at the end of the course.

Travel expenses : participants of the doctoral program are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train (half-fare card, and 2nd class). Please send the original tickets (no copies, except for the general abonnement) with the reimbursement form  to Dr. Christiane Bobillier.  No reimbursement for bus, taxi or car travel expenses will be paid.

• This course is free and open to all PhD students, however priority is given to "Interuniversity doctoral program in organismal biology" participants until March 30, 2011.
  Minimum number of participants: 12, maximum: 20 (from which 4 with own computer).
• The effective cost is approx. CHF 500.00 per person. Therefore a waiting list will be prepared to ensure that there are no empty seats.

Registration through the web only: online registration . Course full: you may register on the waiting list. . 

Please note the cancellation policy (CHF 200).

Deadline: 15 August 2011