Students must bring a portable computer with R installed to every class except the first class on Feb 19.

The course consists of two main components: Experimental Design and Data Analysis. The Experimental Design section follows the textbook (https://x.gd/xbmz9), while the Data Analysis component focuses on the maximum likelihood method and introduces additional statistical techniques. Computer simulations are used to enhance an intuitive understanding of statistical concepts. Programming skills are emphasized to enable flexible model construction, allowing students to develop statistical models tailored to their data rather than relying solely on conventional models. No prior programming experience is required.

Although the course title includes the word 'ecology,' this is a general course on experimental design and data analysis. Students from all disciplines are welcome to enroll. While many of the examples discussed in class may relate to ecology, no prior knowledge of or interest in ecology is necessary.