Generalized Linear, Additive, & Mixed Models
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides you with the ability to analyze a wide variety of ecological data in R, including counts, proportions, and continuous measurements, such as length and weight. Much of the course is concerned with fitting generalized linear models (GLMs), as these are a basic requirement for modern quantitative ecology and wildlife management. We cover Poisson and binomial models in detail, and extensions of these when the data are overdispersed and/or zero-inflated. We also cover the use of generalized additive models (GAMs) to fit flexible, non-linear curves to model the relationship between a response variable and a numerical predictor, such as distance or depth. We discuss model-checking and residual diagnostics, to see how well our model fits the data, and model comparison using AIC in order to see which terms should be included. Repeated measurements data, in which the response variable is measured at several points in time, are also considered in detail. We explain the distinction between fixed and random effects and show how to fit models that involve random effects.
This is a 1-credit equivalent academic course (16 contact hrs + additional work) where you learn at your own pace over 3 months.
PREREQUISITES
A basic understanding of probability and statistical methods, and some experience with fitting models in R (e.g., Introduction to Ecological Statistics & Modeling).
PRIMARY INSTRUCTOR
COURSE FORMATS & DATES
FORMAT: Learn at your own pace over 3 months as you work through prerecorded lectures and exercises.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training, and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to pass the course (P/F) and receive a CWS Certificate of Course Completion, which can be submitted to ESA and TWS for CEUs. See our Continuing Education Page for more details about CEUs with ESA and TWS.
*** This version of the course can NOT be used to earn academic credit from your college or university, certify as a Professional Ecologist with ESA or a Wildlife Biologist® with TWS, or used to earn a professional certificate with CWS. ***
DATES & PRICES:
Spring: Mar 4 - May 26: $400 professional / $300 student
Summer: June 3 - Aug 25 (early bird* ends May 6): $350 professional / $250 student
Fall: Sept 3 - Nov 24 (early bird* ends Aug 5): $350 professional / $250 student
*Early bird saves $50
FORMAT: Reach out to your instructor over a 1-month period to get help as you work through prerecorded lectures, problem sets, and your own personal work. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to the course for the 3-month term. Completing all exercises and course surveys are required to pass the course and receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted for continuing education with ESA and TWS.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training, and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to pass the course (P/F) and receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted to ESA and TWS for CEUs. See our Continuing Education Page for more details about CEUs with ESA and TWS.
ESA & TWS CERTIFICATION: Participants that earn a B- or better can use this 1-credit course to help meet the minimum education requirements (in Chemistry, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics) to certify as a Professional Ecologist with ESA (pending approval). Participants that earn a D or better can use this 1-credit course in their application to certify as a Wildlife Biologist® with TWS. See our Professional Certification Page for more details about ESA and TWS certification.
*** This version of the course can NOT be used to earn academic credit from your college or university or to earn a professional certificate with CWS. See the PREMIUM format below ***
DATES & PRICES:
Spring: Mar 4 - May 26: $550 professional / $450 student
Summer: July 1 - Sept 29 (early bird* ends June 3): $500 professional / $400 student
Fall: Sept 3 - Nov 24 (early bird* ends Aug 5): $500 professional / $400 student
*Early bird saves $50
FORMAT: Reach out to your instructor for help with course materials as you work through prerecorded lectures and exercises. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to course materials for 1 year. After working through 8 modules, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training, and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to pass the course (P/F) and receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted to ESA and TWS for CEUs. See our Continuing Education Page for more details about CEUs with ESA and TWS.
ESA & TWS CERTIFICATION: Participants that earn a B- or better can use this 1-credit course to help meet the minimum education requirements (in Chemistry, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics) to certify as a Professional Ecologist with ESA (pending approval). Participants that earn a D or better can use this 1-credit course in their application to certify as a Wildlife Biologist® with TWS. See our Professional Certification Page for more details about ESA and TWS certification.
ACADEMIC CREDIT: This 1-credit course can be taken with pre-approval from an administrator at a your college or university. For an additional fee, students also have the option to complete an Applied Project for an additional 1-2 academic credits (earning up to 2-3 academic credits in total). See our Academic Credit Page for details.
CWS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE: CWS requires a grade of a B- or higher for the course to count toward earning a Professional Certificate in Applied Quantitative Ecology.
DATES & PRICES:
Spring: Mar 4 - May 26: $650 professional / $550 student
Summer: July 1 - Sept 29 (early bird* ends June 3): $600 professional / $500 student
Fall: Sept 3 - Nov 24 (early bird* ends Aug 5): $500 professional / $400 student
*Early bird saves $50
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Generalized linear models (GLMs)
Poisson and binomial models plus their extensions
Use of generalized additive models (GAMs) to fit flexible, non-linear curves
Model-checking
Residual diagnostics
Models that allow for overdispersion and zero-inflation
Model comparison and averaging using AIC
Repeated measurements data
Profile analysis
Fixed and random effects
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Understand which type of GLM or GAM is appropriate for your data
Gain experience fitting GLM or GAM to your data in R
Understand overdispersion and zero-inflation
Understand how to check the fit of a model using R
Know how to compare (and average over) different models using AIC
Gain experience in analyzing repeated measurements data in R
Understand the difference between fixed and random effects
Gain experience in fitting models with fixed and random effects in R
“I can certainly recommend this course, as it provided me with valuable skills. I found the work challenging, which helped me come a long way in my statistical expertise. ”
SCHOLARSHIPS
Full scholarships are available to participants from countries designated as “lower income” and “lower middle income” in the World Bank List of Economies. Please see our CWS World Scholars Program page for details.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations 30 days or more before the start date are not subject to cancellation fees. Cancellations <30 days before the start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds once the course begins.