BioSS training course timetable for 2023-24
If you are interested in attending one of our courses, please register your interest and you will then be alerted when we are planning our next timetable. Courses with a greater level of interest are more likely to be timetabled. If your organisation has a training officer, also ask them to contact us if they would like to explore the potential relevance of our training across a wider group of staff.
If you want to attend one of the courses listed please book on the course if your supervisor/manager agrees.
For a summary of course charges please go to this page. Note that charges will apply to non-SEFARI staff.
BioSS will run courses, on request, for specific groups of people. These can also be adapted for your specific requirements. If interested, please contact our training course coordinators.
Please continue to register interest in a topic even if a course is full. If another participant drops out, we will alert you; alternatively, if there is enough interest we will consider running the course multiple times.
Timetable
Association Mapping using R: JHI, Dundee, 23rd May 2024
This course will introduce the basic concepts of Association Mapping. The course will equip participants with the necessary information and software to conduct an Association Mapping Analysis on their own data, highlighting areas that need to be considered such as accounting for population structure and relationships between individuals. The course is interactive with practical examples using the software R. It assumes participants are:
- Familiar with the concept of a simple linear model
- Proficient in R-software
Introduction to Mixed Models and REML Course: JHI, Dundee, 15-16 May 2024
Mixed models are used when data have a complex structure with random variation occurring at different levels. REML provides a method to estimate how much variability is due to each level, and the extent to which factors and covariates of interest affect the outcome variables. This course introduces the use of mixed models and the topics covered include :-
- When to use mixed models
- Fixed and random effects
- Choosing a model of variability
- Estimating and testing fixed and random effects
- Mixed models and regression / covariates
- Modelling dependency among observations
- Generalised linear mixed models
Practical sessions in which data (including any provided by the participants) are analysed using Genstat are an important part of the course. Participants should be familiar with Basic Statistics including ANOVA and simple linear regression.
Experimental Design and Analysis of Variance Course: JHI, Dundee, 9-10 May 2024
Experimentation is fundamental to much scientific and engineering research. Careful consideration of design is needed to make best use of the experimental resources available. Appropriate analysis reveals the conclusions that can be drawn from the resulting data.
This two day course covers the important topics in design and analysis, including randomisation, replication, blocking, factorial treatment structures, use of covariates and choice of design. Analysis of variance is used to interpret experimental results.
This course is suitable for scientists who have a good working knowledge of basic statistical concepts but have little or no experience of collecting and analysing data in more complex situations. To benefit from the course delegates should be familiar with the ideas of estimation, including standard errors and confidence intervals, and understand the rationale and output of standard statistical tests such as the t-test.
A Basic Statistics course is available if you feel you need to increase or refresh your knowledge of statistics before embarking on this course. More specialised courses in this area, including Statistical Methods for Repeated Measures Data and Introduction to Mixed Models and REML, are also available. If you are in any doubt about which course would be most appropriate for your needs please contact Graham Horgan.
Regression and Curve Fitting Course: JCMB, Edinburgh, 18-19 April 2024
Regression is used to investigate and quantify the relationships between variable quantities. This two-day course begins with a careful examination of the simplest case, linear regression, and then progresses to include
- Regression with several explanatory variables
- Non-linear regression (exponential and growth curves)
- General non-linear modelling
- Generalised linear models
The notes also cover the ideas of Generalized Additive Models which interpret trends in data by direct smoothing rather than by fitting parametric curves.
Graphical Methods for Multivariate Data: JCMB Edinburgh, 10-11 April 2024
Multivariate data arise whenever several variables are recorded on each subject of study. Many methods are now available for studying the structure and patterns in such data. This two-day course will cover the most useful of these, including
- Principal components analysis and biplots
- Canonical variates and discriminant analysis
- Principal coordinates analysis
- Multidimensional scaling
- Classification techniques.
- Clustering
BioSS Basic Statistics in R Course -
JCMB, Edinburgh, 4th-5th December 2023
This is a two-day in-person course which introduces important ideas in statistics and data analysis. It assumes that participants have no previous knowledge of statistics, or have not used it for a long time. Emphasis is placed on exploratory methods for examining data prior to analysis, using graphs, tables and summary statistics. The course then progresses to cover the elementary aspects of estimation and testing, including one and two-sample t-tests, confidence intervals, one- and two-way analysis of variance and simple linear regression. The course includes several practical sessions that provide an opportunity to discuss the theory and try out the methods.
Some familiarity with R is desired as the course will not directly be teaching the programming language. If you are completely new to R we will provide access to a video introduction and examples before the course.
Please note that participants will need to use their own laptop for this course and will need to ensure that R and RStudio are installed.
To reserve a place please book online here .
For a summary of course charges please go to this page
FULL: BioSS Basic Statistics in R Course (standby waiting list open)
James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen 7th - 8th November 2023
This is a two-day in-person course which introduces important ideas in statistics and data analysis. It assumes that participants have no previous knowledge of statistics, or have not used it for a long time. Emphasis is placed on exploratory methods for examining data prior to analysis, using graphs, tables and summary statistics. The course then progresses to cover the elementary aspects of estimation and testing, including one and two-sample t-tests, confidence intervals, one- and two-way analysis of variance and simple linear regression. The course includes several practical sessions that provide an opportunity to discuss the theory and try out the methods.
Some familiarity with R is desired as the course will not directly be teaching the programming language. If you are completely new to R we will provide access to a video introduction and examples before the course.
For participants based at JHI, there will be no charge for attendance as the cost is covered by RESAS. To reserve a place please book online at https://training.bioss.ac.uk/bookings.html
BioSS Getting Started in R On-Line Course 11 October - 15 November 2023
This is a supported self-taught course with online materials and interactive sessions. Participants will need to work through the course material associated with each module (videos and associated practicals - estimated to take about 1.5-2 hours per week) in advance of interactive question&answer/discussion sessions with a BioSS tutor.
Timetable
Wednesday 11 October 10:00: Course material and information to be made available by email
Work through videos and practicals for introduction & module 1
Wednesday 18 October 10:00-11:00 Interactive session for introduction & module 1
Work through videos and practicals for module 2
Wednesday 25 October 10:00-11:00 Interactive session for module 2
Work through videos and practicals for module 3
Wednesday 1 November 10:00-11:00 Interactive session for module 3
Work through videos and practicals for module 4
Wednesday 8 November 10:00-11:00 Interactive session for module 4
Wednesday 15 November 10:00-11:00 Interactive session for any remaining questions on all aspects of the course
BioSS Getting Started in R On-Line Course 12 October - 16 November 2023
This is a supported self-taught course with online materials and interactive sessions. Participants will need to work through the course material associated with each module (videos and associated practicals - estimated to take about 1.5-2 hours per week) in advance of interactive question&answer/discussion sessions with a BioSS tutor.
Timetable
Thursday 12 October 10:00: Course material and information to be made available by email
Work through videos and practicals for introduction & module 1
Thursday 19 October 14:00-15:00 Interactive session for introduction & module 1
Work through videos and practicals for module 2
Thursday 26 October 14:00-15:00 Interactive session for module 2
Work through videos and practicals for module 3
Thursday 2 November 14:00-15:00 Interactive session for module 3
Work through videos and practicals for module 4
Thursday 9 November 14:00-15:00 Interactive session for module 4
Thursday 16 November 14:00-15:00 Interactive session for any remaining questions on all aspects of the course