General information
Introduction to Data Analysis and Ecosystem Modeling
Announcement
From July 30 to August 12, 2017 the Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM, University of Oldenburg) will organize a summer school entitled “Introduction to Data Analysis and Ecosystem Modeling”. The summer school will be held at ICBM facilities in Wilhelmshaven and Oldenburg, Germany. The focus is on mathematical and numerical methods used in marine and environmental sciences (but not engineernig sciences). The aim is to acquaint participants with diverse up-to-date modeling techniques at an introductory level. The summer school is addressed to early career scientists, i.e. advanced (master) students and early stage PhD students, with a background in marine or environmental natural sciences of all disciplines.
Since data acquisition will be an integral part of the summer school a focus will be on marine conditions met in the southern North Sea and Wadden Sea, one of the largest tidal systems world-wide and UNESCO World Heritage since 2009.
Background
Modern research questions of marine science involve diverse academic disciplines, for instance, marine sensor development, chemistry, hydrology, biology, etc. In any field, the path from a scientific hypothesis to a firm result is paralleled by a chain starting with data series and leading across data processing, statistical analysis and inference and modeling towards an answer that may be a statistically significant statement (statistical inference), an improved conceptual understanding (process-oriented models) or a novel hypothesis (data mining) to be tested in future laboratory experiments or field campaigns.
Common to all quantitative analysis is the involvement of mathematical concepts (in theory and practice) and computer-based tools (data analysis and programming software). Skills in data analysis and experience with modeling approaches are gaining more and more importance also for researchers in disciplines that are traditionally further way from mathematical theory building. While we expect a firm background of very basic math and some experience in any programming environment (e.g. Matlab or R), this summer school is intended for marine scientists from all scientific disciplines.
Based on the experiences with earlier summer schools it can be expected that participants of the summer school will benefit from the multidisciplinary approach of the ICBM and its scientists. The scientific programme comprises excursions, data acquisition with research boats, lectures and practical exercises (labs) concerning a large variety of modeling approaches used in marine and coastal research.
Being acquainted with diverse methods of data analysis and modeling approaches to the marine ecosystem dynamics participants will also gain a better understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes underlying and sustaining an ecosystem. This is of fundamental importance to predict the development of a coastal ecosystem when affected by climate change or human activities (like land use, tourism, diking, and renaturation) and is the base for sustainable ecosystem management and protection.
Topics
The summer school will introduce participants into various modeling approaches to marine ecosystem dynamics. Relevant processes in the marine environment range from oceanography (hydrodynamic transport, bentho-pelagic coupling, eddie dynamics), over biogeochemistry (nutrient cycling, stoichiometry) to biological populations (regular or harmful algal blooms, biological growth inside eddies) and eventually reach the level of ecological communities (marine food web, biodiversity and its relation to ecosystem functions and services). This wide range of processes is paralleled by a rich arsenal of mathematical modeling methods (discrete vs. continuous in time/space, deterministic vs. stochastic, process-oriented vs. statistical, conceptual vs. comprehensive). Apparently the full scope of modeling dimensions cannot be explored in a two weeks summer school. Therefore, we will guide students along a carefully selected modeling pathway leading from measurement data, across time series analysis towards an integration of oceanographic and biological aspects and the analysis of ecological communities. Models of different complexity will be addressed ranging from conceptual models employed in the field of population dynamics to comprehensive models (ERSEM, EcoTIM) of the complex marine ecosystem. While models of the first mentioned type are suitable to illustrate fundamental phenomena (e.g. predator-prey cycles or the sporadic excitation of harmful algal blooms), comprehensive models with a modular structure allow students with completely different prior experience to work at their own pace. Finally, we introduce participants to the description and modeling of ecological communities which is in close connection with biodiversity research, one of today's 'hot topics' in ecology.
The main topics of the summer school are:
- Introduction to the coastal area of the southern North Sea and Wadden Sea
- Excursions by research boats, car, and on foot (Jade, Spiekeroog, tidal flats, ecology, landscape and settling history)
- Data acquisition and processing
- Multivariate data analysis (with introduction to R)
- Time series analysis (with introduction to Matlab)
- Hydrodynamical modeling
- Networks: structure and dynamics
- Dynamics of populations and ecological communities
- Biodiversity and ecosystem modeling
Programme
We offer a diverse, interdisciplinary scientific programme that comprises excursions, sampling, analytical lab work, and lectures.The programme will introduce participants into various modeling approaches to marine ecosystem dynamics, with special emphasis on the conditions met in the southern North Sea area. The main items are:
- Introduction to the coastal area of the southern North Sea and the Wadden Sea, the largest continuous tidal system worldwide and UNESCO World Heritage since 2009
- Excursion on history of the southern North Sea coast since the last glaciation (Quaternary geology, landscape development and settling history) including a "mud walk" over tidal flats
- Acquisition of hydrodynamic data with ICBM research boats
- Excursion to Wadden Sea and Spiekeroog (incl. time series station)
- Basic lectures on various modeling approaches to marine ecosystem dynamics
- Introduction to R and Matlab
- Lab and excersises on selected modelling techniques
- Introduction to data processing and data analysis
- Numerical modelling of hydrodynamics
- Introduction to description and modeling of ecological communities
- Lab on Network programming
- Project work in groups
- Data compilation and synopsis with presentations by the participants
- Introduction to ICBM, the German higher education system, and setting for marine sciences in Northwest Germany
This programme is partly preliminary and may be subject to some changes. For the up-to-date schedule, please click here
Participants will gain a better understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes underlying and sustaining an ecosystem. This is of fundamental importance to predict the development of a coastal ecosystem when affected by climate change or human activities (like land use, tourism, diking, and renaturation) and is the base for sustainable ecosystem management and protection.
Content
The highlighted icons, represent the fields of education (in compliance with ISCED Classification) engaged during this course/programme.
Venue
Wilhelmshaven, Germany
ICBM - Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment
ICBM-TERRAMARE
Schleusenstraße 1
D-26382 Wilhelmshaven
Germany
The summer school will be held at ICBM-TERRAMARE in Wilhelmshaven, northwest Germany. ICBM is part of the Carl-von-Ossietzky-University of Oldenburg and has facilities at three locations, Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven, and on the island of Spiekeroog.
Participants will live in the ICBM guest house in Wilhelmshaven which is located directly next to the institute. It provides multi-bed rooms (2-6 beds) and a fully equipped kitchen for self-catering. Breakfast and dinners should be prepared jointly by participants. Lunches will either be self-organized or provided. Otherwise restaurants and snack bars are found in the neighbourhood. We consider the social interaction among participants with different nationalities and diverse scientific and cultural background as an important aspect of the summer school.
Lectures, seminars and labs will take place at ICBM Wilhelmshaven in are large lecture room and smaller seminar room. Wilhelmshaven is starting and end point for the excursions. End of the second week we will visit ICBM in Oldenburg, where we will have the final presentations and the farewell (transport will provided).
Application
Click here to apply: https://www.icbm.de/en/summer-school/2017/fees-and-application/
Cost:
<p><strong>Fees</strong></p> <p>The fee is 150 Euro and includes accommodation in multi-bedrooms at ICBM, local transport during the summer school, insurances, and course materials. Details for payment will be given with confirmations of participation.</p> <p><strong>Catering costs</strong></p> <p>Catering costs have to be covered by the participants. We expect that breakfast and most dinners are prepared jointly by participants so that costs will be moderate (250-300€ estimated, al inclusive). The ICBM guest house provides a fully equipped kitchen for self-catering. Lunches have to be organized corresponding to the summer school activities (e.g. self-catering, food delivery service, lunch package, university canteen in Oldenburg). Otherwise restaurants and snack bars are found in the neighbourhood. We consider the social interaction among participants with different nationalities and diverse schientific and cultural background (also) by self-catering as an important aspect of the summer school</p>
Prerequisites:
The summer school aims at early career scientists, i.e. advanced (master) students and early stage PhD students, with a background in marine or environmental natural sciences of all disciplines. We aim at a diverse mix of provenances, gender, and of different scientific disciplines, or specialisations. We do not expect a specialisation in modeling, but a firm background of very basic math is required. Some experience in any programming environment is beneficial. A firm background of very basic math and good English knowledge must be appropriately addressed in the application.Some experience in any programming environment (e.g. Matlab or R) is beneficial.
Application Procedure:
Application
The application is informal and has to include:
- a CV (1 page)
- a motivation letter (1 page) describing the scientific background of the applicant and his/her personal motivation for and expectation from attending the summer school.
Please, send your application as a single pdf file by e-mail to icbm.summerschool@uni-oldenburg.de.
The number of participants is limited to 15. A selection will be made by a committee of organisers and lecturers. The successful applicants will be contacted in late March/early April. We expect your confirmation within two weeks. Thereafter, we will invite applicants from a waiting list to fill the remaining places.
Grant Opportunities:
Travel grants
For the time being, travel grants are NOT available. However, ICBM is seeking for financial support specially for participants from overseas. Final information will follow by mid of February. Please check the organiser's web page for upto date information.
Insurances
We will take out health, accident, and third-party liability insurances for participants travelling from abroad for the duration of the summer school (including arrival in Germany). The health insurance is valid for acute diseases only. Participants from Germany receive accident and third-party liability insurances only, and have to take care of heath insurance on their own.
Qualification
Announcement
From July 30 to August 12, 2017 the Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM, University of Oldenburg) will organize a summer school entitled “Introduction to Data Analysis and Ecosystem Modeling”. The summer school will be held at ICBM facilities in Wilhelmshaven and Oldenburg, Germany. The focus is on mathematical and numerical methods used in marine and environmental sciences (but not engineernig sciences). The aim is to acquaint participants with diverse up-to-date modeling techniques at an introductory level. The summer school is addressed to early career scientists, i.e. advanced (master) students and early stage PhD students, with a background in marine or environmental natural sciences of all disciplines.
Since data acquisition will be an integral part of the summer school a focus will be on marine conditions met in the southern North Sea and Wadden Sea, one of the largest tidal systems world-wide and UNESCO World Heritage since 2009.
Background
Modern research questions of marine science involve diverse academic disciplines, for instance, marine sensor development, chemistry, hydrology, biology, etc. In any field, the path from a scientific hypothesis to a firm result is paralleled by a chain starting with data series and leading across data processing, statistical analysis and inference and modeling towards an answer that may be a statistically significant statement (statistical inference), an improved conceptual understanding (process-oriented models) or a novel hypothesis (data mining) to be tested in future laboratory experiments or field campaigns.
Common to all quantitative analysis is the involvement of mathematical concepts (in theory and practice) and computer-based tools (data analysis and programming software). Skills in data analysis and experience with modeling approaches are gaining more and more importance also for researchers in disciplines that are traditionally further way from mathematical theory building. While we expect a firm background of very basic math and some experience in any programming environment (e.g. Matlab or R), this summer school is intended for marine scientists from all scientific disciplines.
Based on the experiences with earlier summer schools it can be expected that participants of the summer school will benefit from the multidisciplinary approach of the ICBM and its scientists. The scientific programme comprises excursions, data acquisition with research boats, lectures and practical exercises (labs) concerning a large variety of modeling approaches used in marine and coastal research.
Being acquainted with diverse methods of data analysis and modeling approaches to the marine ecosystem dynamics participants will also gain a better understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes underlying and sustaining an ecosystem. This is of fundamental importance to predict the development of a coastal ecosystem when affected by climate change or human activities (like land use, tourism, diking, and renaturation) and is the base for sustainable ecosystem management and protection.
Topics
The summer school will introduce participants into various modeling approaches to marine ecosystem dynamics. Relevant processes in the marine environment range from oceanography (hydrodynamic transport, bentho-pelagic coupling, eddie dynamics), over biogeochemistry (nutrient cycling, stoichiometry) to biological populations (regular or harmful algal blooms, biological growth inside eddies) and eventually reach the level of ecological communities (marine food web, biodiversity and its relation to ecosystem functions and services). This wide range of processes is paralleled by a rich arsenal of mathematical modeling methods (discrete vs. continuous in time/space, deterministic vs. stochastic, process-oriented vs. statistical, conceptual vs. comprehensive). Apparently the full scope of modeling dimensions cannot be explored in a two weeks summer school. Therefore, we will guide students along a carefully selected modeling pathway leading from measurement data, across time series analysis towards an integration of oceanographic and biological aspects and the analysis of ecological communities. Models of different complexity will be addressed ranging from conceptual models employed in the field of population dynamics to comprehensive models (ERSEM, EcoTIM) of the complex marine ecosystem. While models of the first mentioned type are suitable to illustrate fundamental phenomena (e.g. predator-prey cycles or the sporadic excitation of harmful algal blooms), comprehensive models with a modular structure allow students with completely different prior experience to work at their own pace. Finally, we introduce participants to the description and modeling of ecological communities which is in close connection with biodiversity research, one of today's 'hot topics' in ecology.
The main topics of the summer school are:
- Introduction to the coastal area of the southern North Sea and Wadden Sea
- Excursions by research boats, car, and on foot (Jade, Spiekeroog, tidal flats, ecology, landscape and settling history)
- Data acquisition and processing
- Multivariate data analysis (with introduction to R)
- Time series analysis (with introduction to Matlab)
- Hydrodynamical modeling
- Networks: structure and dynamics
- Dynamics of populations and ecological communities
- Biodiversity and ecosystem modeling
Programme
We offer a diverse, interdisciplinary scientific programme that comprises excursions, sampling, analytical lab work, and lectures.The programme will introduce participants into various modeling approaches to marine ecosystem dynamics, with special emphasis on the conditions met in the southern North Sea area. The main items are:
- Introduction to the coastal area of the southern North Sea and the Wadden Sea, the largest continuous tidal system worldwide and UNESCO World Heritage since 2009
- Excursion on history of the southern North Sea coast since the last glaciation (Quaternary geology, landscape development and settling history) including a "mud walk" over tidal flats
- Acquisition of hydrodynamic data with ICBM research boats
- Excursion to Wadden Sea and Spiekeroog (incl. time series station)
- Basic lectures on various modeling approaches to marine ecosystem dynamics
- Introduction to R and Matlab
- Lab and excersises on selected modelling techniques
- Introduction to data processing and data analysis
- Numerical modelling of hydrodynamics
- Introduction to description and modeling of ecological communities
- Lab on Network programming
- Project work in groups
- Data compilation and synopsis with presentations by the participants
- Introduction to ICBM, the German higher education system, and setting for marine sciences in Northwest Germany
This programme is partly preliminary and may be subject to some changes. For the up-to-date schedule, please click here
Application
The application is informal and has to include:
- a CV (1 page)
- a motivation letter (1 page) describing the scientific background of the applicant and his/her personal motivation for and expectation from attending the summer school.
Please, send your application as a single pdf file by e-mail to icbm.summerschool@uni-oldenburg.de.
The number of participants is limited to 15. A selection will be made by a committee of organisers and lecturers. The successful applicants will be contacted in late March/early April. We expect your confirmation within two weeks. Thereafter, we will invite applicants from a waiting list to fill the remaining places.
Participants will gain a better understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes underlying and sustaining an ecosystem. This is of fundamental importance to predict the development of a coastal ecosystem when affected by climate change or human activities (like land use, tourism, diking, and renaturation) and is the base for sustainable ecosystem management and protection.
The summer school aims at early career scientists, i.e. advanced (master) students and early stage PhD students, with a background in marine or environmental natural sciences of all disciplines. We aim at a diverse mix of provenances, gender, and of different scientific disciplines, or specialisations. We do not expect a specialisation in modeling, but a firm background of very basic math is required. Some experience in any programming environment is beneficial. A firm background of very basic math and good English knowledge must be appropriately addressed in the application.Some experience in any programming environment (e.g. Matlab or R) is beneficial.
