Training Announcement     Multivariate Statistical Analysis Techniques for Ecological Data using R (CSP4400)   Course Dates:           June 25-29, 2012   Location:         NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV   Course Description/Course Overview:   This course covers a variety of descriptive and inferential multivariate statistical methods that are useful for analyzing biological data. Participants will be using program R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, free software) to analyze ecological data and apply the various multivariate procedures in a computer lab setting.  Several case studies of multivariate techniques applied to field data are discussed.   Course Objectives: Identify the basic concepts of matrix algebra, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and multivariate normality. Demonstrate methods for displaying relationships and position (principal components analysis, factor analysis, biplot displays, correspondence analysis, multidimensional scaling, and cluster analysis).  Perform procedures for group separation (MANOVA, canonical variate analysis, discriminant analysis, logistic regression).  Describe techniques for determining relationships between sets of variables (canonical correlation analysis and canonical correspondence analysis); and analyze repeated measures.   Instructor:          Eric Smith, Department Chair Statistics Department, Virginia Tech.   Who Should Attend:   Biologist and researchers who are involved in monitoring or studies associated multi-variable data?   Course Length:       4 and ½ days/36 hours   Prerequisites:       No specific pre-requisites, but it is assumed that you have taken one or more courses in statistics.   Classroom:           G24 Computer Lab (National Conservation Training Center (NCTC).   Cost: There is no tuition fee for FWS, NPS, and BLM personnel.  Tuition is $1150 for non-FWS participants.   How to Apply:   Register online at https://doilearn.doi.gov/. Non-DOI employees should click on “Public Catalog Login” then type the course code (CSP4400) in the Search box.  Then click on the course title.  If problem > call.   Questions:   Please contact Joe W. Witt (joe_witt@fws.gov) or So Lan Ching (solan_ching@fws.gov), Branch of Conservation Science and Policy, at 304/876-7447 or 304/876-7771.   ____________________________________________________________ Join AFS or renew for 2012 at www.fisheries.org/afs/membership.html