Courses

Courses

I am currently focused on teaching a graduate-level series in ecological data science covering everything from how to program, how to derive and analyze ecological models, how to design experimental and observational studies, how to confront models with data, to how to use the latest deep learning models.

Data Science for Biological Research EBIO 5460-002

Introduces the major tools and algorithms of data science applied to biological research. Learning goal: You will be confident to use the skills and concepts of data science to plan for, acquire, manage, analyze, infer or predict from, and report about datasets of any size in your area of biological research.

Fall 2022 class on GitHub: syllabus, topics, lectures and code.

Machine Learning for Ecology EBIO 5460-015

Introduces machine learning algorithms applied to ecological problems. Learning goals: 1) You will have an understanding of the fundamental concepts and algorithms that underpin most of machine learning. 2) You will be confident to use machine learning algorithms in your own research. 3) You will have a broad overview of how ecologists are currently using machine learning algorithms to revolutionize ecological research.

Spring 2024 class on GitHub: syllabus, topics, lectures and code.

Quantitative Ecology and Evolution EBIO 5460-001

Model based inference in ecology and evolution. The relationship between models, hypotheses, experiments, and data. How to make a model. How to test models against data, including likelihood and Bayesian approaches. How to design biological experiments to get the most from a model. Models for genes, individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. We will learn some math, some statistics, and some computer programming. Learning goals: 1) To be able to comprehend the exploding literature in biology where the science is based on models and model fitting. 2) To be proficient at writing R programs to analyze models and data. 3) To become confident at using customized quantitative approaches in your own research.

Syllabus 2017

General Biology EBIO 1220

I often teach the second half (from about March) of General Biology, and cover two topics 1) plant biodiversity 2) ecology.