Courses

Natural Resource Statistics

The field of natural resources, sustainability, and the environment increasingly relies on quantitative methods to better understand systems, test hypotheses, and find solutions to real-world issues. As a result, having a solid grasp of statistical analyses is crucial for anyone working in these fields. This course is designed to provide an introduction to applied statistics, with a focus on practical applications rather than the mathematical foundations of statistical techniques. Additionally, students are introduced to R, one of the most commonly used statistical programming languages.

Environmental Data Science

Data science is rapidly changing environmental scholarship. Environmental data is growing exponentially in size and quality at an unprecedented rate. The data deluge comes with new challenges of sifting, processing, and synthesizing large and diverse sources of information. In this course, students learn the fundamental practices of environmental informatics mainly using the R programming language. The workshop-style class includes environmental-related modules; each module introduces new datasets and questions, leading to new hands-on skills. Throughout the quarter, students use these skills to identify an environmental-related topic and complete an analysis paper.

Landscape Ecology

Landscape ecology embraces a diverse range of topics concerned with the causes and consequences of spatial heterogeneity and patterns in natural systems as well as those dominated by human activities. This course is intended to provide a foundational understanding of how landscape pattern is generated and why it matters to populations, communities, and ecosystem processes. Along the way, it requires considerations of scale and pattern in general. The understanding is built on conceptual models and reinforced with biophysical, statistical, or ecological simulation models as appropriate.

General Ecology

Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. This course is designed for students to understand the general ideas and concepts of ecology, to be able to integrate information, formulate solutions, and solve ecological problems in modern life. We emphasize connections with mathematical, physical, and chemical processes, as well as the application of ecology to conservation and global change issues.

Design and Analysis of Biological Experiments

This course addresses how to set up and how to draw conclusions from biological experiments. It introduces basic theories in statistics, interwoven with data analysis using software packages. Students learn to design statistically sound data collection in observational or experimental studies. To answer given research questions, students choose among modern statistical tools and analyze data using software. Students also learn to effectively present results using statistical graphics. This class particularly focuses on ecological and environmental data.