This course concentrates on the practice of statistics as a tool for learning from data. The purpose of this course is to give an understanding of the principles in statistics and probability theory that underlie data analysis, including an introduction to the design of experiments.

Upon completion of the course the students should be able to think critically about data, to use graphical and numerical summaries, to apply standard statistical inference procedures, to apply a variety of standard design of experiments tools and to draw reliable conclusions from data.

This course features a hands-on approach to learning, dividing class time between lectures, case studies and practicals using the free R system for statistical computation and graphics. Hence upon completion of the course the students should also be experienced in the use of the powerful statistical package R.

Dates: 13-14, 19-20, and 27-28 May 2009  (6 days)

Schedule: 8.55 - 17.00

Location: Université de Neuchâtel, Faculté des sciences , UniMail, building C (Animalerie), room 001

Credit points: 3.0 credit points (ECTS) (category Research tools)

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

Information: Please contact Dr. Thomas Gsponer or the education officer Dr. Christiane Bobillier

Travel expenses: no reimbursement except for Ph.D. students financed by the NCCR "Plant Survival" who 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)  to Dr. Christiane Bobillier.  No reimbursement for bus, taxi or car travel expenses will be paid.

This course is opened to all Ph.D. students. However, priority is given to "Interuniversity Doctoral Program in Organismal Biology" participants. This course is free.

Minimum number of participants: 8, maximum: 16. Course full.

Registration through the web only: closed

Deadline: 1 May 2009