Ecological and Environmental Sampling

taught by Bryan Manly

Brief Description:

This course covers sampling methods and analyses used to study of the density and abundance of animals and plants, and other important biological variables.

Instructor(s):
Level: introductory/intermediate

Who Should Take This Course:

Environmental scientists, ecologists and other field scientists working with population and density data. Statisticians and biometricians called upon to work on environmental studies, who are not already familiar with the wide variety of specific sampling methods used to estimate populations and densities.

Dates:
October 11, 2013 to November 08, 2013
envirosampling Click here to be reminded of future sessions of this course.

Registration:
Please read the syllabus tab, noting the prerequisites, text and software requirements.

Register Online -$499
Register Online -$399 (you must be affiliated with a college, university or high school)

Add $50 service fee if you require a prior invoice, or if you need to submit a purchase order or voucher, pay by wire transfer or EFT, or refund and reprocess a prior payment. Please use this printed registration form, for these and other special orders.

Courses may fill up at any time and registrations are processed in the order in which they are received. Your registration will be confirmed for the first available course date, unless you specify otherwise. Multiple course registrations may be entitled to tuition discounts; read more.

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Ecological and Environmental Sampling

taught by Bryan Manly

Aim of Course:

This course covers sampling methods and analyses used to study of the density and abundance of animals and plants, and other important biological variables. It starts with classic random sampling methods and their extensions (systematic sampling, stratified sampling and more), and goes on to cover methods (such as adaptive sampling, mark recapture, line transects, and more) that have particular applicability to estimating population sizes. The theoretical basis behind methods is discussed, but the emphasis of the course is on understanding how to use methods effectively rather than the derivation of the equations used.

Prerequisite(s):

If you are unclear as to whether you have mastered the requirements, try these placement tests here.

Course Program:

SESSION 1: Standard Survey Sampling Methods

• Simple random sampling for the estimation of population means, totals and proportions
• Stratified sampling
• Systematic sampling
• Ratio estimation, regression estimation, and double sampling to adjust for visibility bias
• Unequal probability sampling

SESSION 2: Adaptive Sampling

• Thompson's adaptive cluster sampling
• Francis' two phase adaptive stratified sampling
• Two phase adaptive stratified sampling of several animal or plant species at the same time in several geographical locations

SESSION 3: Some Specialized Methods for Estimating Population Sizes

• Line transect sampling
• The removal method
• The change in ratio method
• Distance sampling and the T-square method

SESSION 4: Mark-Recapture Methods

• Classical closed population methods including the Peterson-Lincoln index and the Otis et al. models
• Recent advances in the analysis of data from closed populations
• The Jolly-Seber method and related approaches
• Analyses for data on the recovery of dead animals
• The use of radio-tagged animals
• The flexible modeling procedures introduced by Lebreton et al
• Recent advances in the analysis of data from open populations

HOMEWORK:

Homework in this course consists of short answer questions to test concepts, guided data analysis problems using software, and guided data modeling problems using software.

Organization of the Course:

This course takes place over the internet at the Institute for 4 weeks. During each course week, you participate at times of your own choosing - there are no set times when you must be online. Course participants will be given access to a private discussion board. In class discussions led by the instructor, you can post questions, seek clarification, and interact with your fellow students and the instructor.

The course typically requires 15 hours per week. At the beginning of each week, you receive the relevant material, in addition to answers to exercises from the previous session. During the week, you are expected to go over the course materials, work through exercises, and submit answers. Discussion among participants is encouraged. The instructor will provide answers and comments, and at the end of the week, you will receive individual feedback on your homework answers.

Credit:
Students come to the Institute for a variety of reasons. As you begin the course, you will be asked to specify your category:

1. You may be interested only in learning the material presented, and not be concerned with grades or a record of completion.
2. You may be enrolled in PASS (Programs in Analytics and Statistical Studies) that requires demonstration of proficiency in the subject, in which case your work will be assessed for a grade.
3. You may require a "Record of Course Completion," along with professional development credit in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEU's).  For those successfully completing the course, 5.0 CEU's and a record of course completion will be issued by The Institute, upon request.

Course Text:

"Introduction to Ecological Sampling and Analysis" by Bryan Manly. This book is in the pre-publication process, and will be provided to course participants in electronic form.

Software:

The instructor will provide acces to two mark-recapture programs for student use.  Excel will also be used.

Register Now

Yes, I want to register for:

Ecological and Environmental Sampling

taught by Bryan Manly

Instructor(s):
Dates:
October 11, 2013 to November 08, 2013
Course Fee: $499
Academic Rate: $399

Before registering, please read the syllabus tab, noting the prerequisites, text and software requirements. When you click the register button, you will be taken to our secure transaction page.

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