Likelihood Methods in Forest Ecology

Oct. 10thth - 20th, 2006

Instructors: Dr. Charles Canham (IES) and Dr. María Uriarte (Columbia
University)

The Institute of Ecosystem Studies will offer an intensive 9-day
course in the use of likelihood methods in forest ecology on October 10-
20, 2006. The methods provide a powerful tool for linking models and
data, and provide a more flexible alternative to traditional, parametric
statistical analyses. Labs will be based on use of the R statistical
computing package, and the course fee will include an optional 1-day
introduction to the use of R on October. 9. The course will be co-taught
by Dr. Charles Canham (IES) and Dr. María Uriarte (Columbia University).

Location and fees: The course will be taught on the grounds of the
Institute, in Millbrook, NY. The $950 course fee (including the optional
1-day R tutorial) includes 2 weeks of housing in a dormitory at the
Institute, and lunches on weekdays. Students will be responsible for
their travel expenses, and other meals. The course fee must be submitted
by Sept. 15, 2006. The fee will be non-refundable for cancellations
after Sept. 29, 2006.

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. The labs will focus on the use of software tools
(R) that allow the students to construct their own analyses. Students
will be encouraged to bring their own datasets for use in individual
projects during the second week of the course. Most of the examples used
in the course will be drawn from forest ecology.

Course Website: More information can be found at
www.ecostudies.org/lmfe.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.

Registration and class size: Class size will be limited to 16
students. To register, send an e-mail to Charles Canham at
ccanham@ecostudies.org containing your name, mailing address, e-mail
address, phone number and a brief statement of your research interests.
Please put “2006 Likelihood Course Registration” in the subject line of
the message.

We plan to offer the course annually. Please don’t register
unless you are certain you will be able to take the course this fall.