Environmental Science 575
Statistics for Environmental Sciences
Instructor: Dr. Bill Retzlaff
Office: SL 3331A
Office Hours: by appointment
Phone: 618/650-2728
email: WRETZLA@siue.edu
www: http://www.siue.edu/~wretzla
Course Content:
One of the most critical aspects of scientific and statistical analysis is experimental design. In this course we will define the steps and processes necessary for a well-planned experiment. We will study analysis of variance (AOV) of standard experimental designs, AOV of unbalanced designs, AOV of fixed- and random-effects models, and experiments with repeated measures used in biological and environmental sciences. Understanding the appropriate experimental design and proper statistical analysis is critical for evaluating environmental and ecological problems.
Course Objectives:
1) To increase our understanding of experimental design, enhance our skill in selecting the appropriate experimental design, and enhance our skill in selecting the appropriate statistical tests.
2) To enhance our skills in analyzing and conceptualizing information through the use of computer statistical packages.
Textbook and Reading Materials:
The required textbooks for this course will be Learning SAS in the Computer Lab by Elliott. Additionally students will be expected to review class handouts, manuscripts, and web-based materials.
Class Schedule:
6:30-7:50 Lecture presentation of statistical concepts
7:50-8:00 Break
8:00-9:30 Statistical Laboratory
Lectures, syllabus, course materials, and lab assignments will be placed on the Internet at http://www.siue.edu/~wretzla when they are available. Check periodically for updates!
Class Exams:
There will be 2 in-class exams, 1 take-home exam, and a comprehensive final in ENVS 575.
Material presented in class lectures, laboratory exercises, and required readings will form the basis for exam questions. Class exams will be composed of short essay questions and short answer problems, which will require an understanding of lecture, laboratory, and reading material and result in presentation and application of this knowledge in new situations.
The in-class exams will be held when scheduled on the syllabus. If you miss the class period when the exam is proctored because of an emergency or family circumstances , you may schedule a make-up exam before the next class period with the instructor. Any other absence during an exam period will result in a ‘0' for that exam.
The take-home exam will be handed out at the beginning of the class period and returned promptly at the beginning of the following class period. You MAY work on the take-home exam during the class period and receive help from the instructor! If you miss the class period when the take-home exam is issued because of an emergency or family circumstances, you may pick up the exam on the following two weekdays from the instructor. Late issued exams are still due at the following class period. If you finish the exam early or know you will miss the following class you may return the exam early to the instructor who will initial and date the exam. In NO case can the take-home exam be handed in late - you will receive a ‘0’ for your exam!
Laboratory Assignments:
Each student will be assigned statistical exercises to complete using the appropriate statistical software. Exercises may be completed during the laboratory period. All exercises are due at the beginning of the next laboratory period unless the instructor indicates otherwise. Exercises must follow the format presented by the instructor — no exceptions.
All laboratory and model assignments are due on the assigned date. Assignments will not be accepted late - you will receive a ‘0’ for your assignment!
Plagiarism and cheating will not be permitted and will be dealt with according to University Policy.
Attendance:
Regular prompt attendance is required for success in this course.
Grading System:
In-Class Exam (2) 100 points (200 total)
Take-home Exam 100 points
Laboratory Assignments (10) 20 points (200 total)
Comprehensive final exam 150 points
TOTAL POINTS 650 points
Course Topics (Schedule)
Week 1
Lecture: Introduction to science, statistics, and experimental design.
Lab: Introduction to SAS — Assignment #1.
Week 2
Lecture: Completely Randomized Design
Lab: Completely Randomized Design — Assignment #2.
Week 3
Lecture: Randomized Block Design
Lab: Randomized Block Design— Assignment #3.
Week 4
Lecture: Latin Square Design
Lab: Latin Square Design— Assignment #4.
Week 5
Lecture: Factorial Experiments
Lab: Factorial Experiments— Assignment #5.
Week 6
Lecture: Take-home EXAM.
Lab: Take-home EXAM.
Week 7
Lecture: What to do when things go wrong.
Lab: Take-home EXAM — DUE.
Week 8
Lecture: Incomplete Block Designs
Lab: Unbalanced Designs — Assignment #6.
Week 9
Lecture: In-class EXAM #1.
Lab: Review
Week 10 — NO CLASS — BREAK.
Week 11
Lecture: Random and Mixed Effects Models
Lab: Random and Mixed Effects Models — Assignment #7.
Week 12
Lecture: Nested Sampling and Split-Plot Design
Lab: Split-Plot Design — Assignment #8.
Week 13
Lecture: Repeated measures
Lab: Repeated measures — Assignment #9.
Week 14
Lecture: In-class EXAM #2.
Lab: Review
Week 15
Lecture: Covariance
Lab: Covariance — Assignment #10.
Week 16
Lecture: How to prepare a document with statistical information.
Lab: Review
Final Week FINAL EXAM - Comprehensive