Training structure
Faculty of Science
Presentation
Program
Study of variability
4 creditsEcology 1: Concepts, Tools, and Applications
8 creditsEvolution 1
8 creditsEnglish and professional development
2 credits15hAdvanced ecology of ecosystems
6 creditsCHOICE1
2 creditsChoose one of two options:
Advanced data processing
2 creditsDescription and inference
2 credits
Study of variability
ECTS
4 credits
Training structure
Faculty of Science
General linear models with one or more random explanatory variables: from translating the figure that answers the biological question to the statistical model, i.e., taking into account numerous effects and knowing how to interpret them.
General properties viewed through regression and one-factor ANOVA (R2, F, ddl, least squares, likelihood, diagnosis, validation, goodness of fit, interpretation of effect sizes); nested and crossed factor ANOVA, multiple regression (concept of parameters and effects, and interaction)
incorporation of the dependence of explanatory random variables, confounding effects (quantitative for multiple regression, and unbalanced designs for ANOVAs)
Ecology 1: Concepts, Tools, and Applications
ECTS
8 credits
Training structure
Faculty of Science
The overall objective is to consolidate the foundations in ecology acquired by students and to give them the tools they need to apply them in an integrated way to interpret the functioning of ecological systems. The course includes: 1) lectures on ecological concepts from the population scale to the macroecological scale, using examples of applications that place the discipline in the current ecological and societal context; 2) practical and supervised work focused on tools (sampling strategies, modeling, data analysis); 3) field teaching, during which students are encouraged to ask relevant scientific questions based on their observations in the field and to use their knowledge to answer them in a reasoned manner.
Summary of EU content:
- CM: History of the emergence of concepts in ecology; Population dynamics/metapopulations; Biotic interactions and food webs; Community ecology, metacommunities; Ecosystem ecology/functional ecology; Concepts of macroecology/biogeography; Global change and ecosystem functioning;
- Field: Integrative analysis of ecosystem functioning in situ;
- TD/TP: sampling and experimentation strategies in ecology; modeling in population dynamics/metapopulations, community ecology/metacommunities, food webs; biodiversity measures (alpha, beta, etc.).
Evolution 1
ECTS
8 credits
Training structure
Faculty of Science
The overall objective is to consolidate students' foundations in evolutionary biology by addressing both (i) macroevolutionary phenomena and the general methods used to analyze them, and (ii) microevolutionary processes with an emphasis on the population genetics approach. This course unit aims to provide a solid foundation of knowledge in evolutionary biology and to illustrate the applications of the discipline to students' future areas of specialization. The course includes: 1) lectures on the concepts of evolution; 2) practical work in two main forms: 2a. sessions focused on the use of tools (phylogeny) and the mathematical formalization of evolutionary processes (population genetics); and 2b: sessions built around group work, allowing students, depending on their background and professional goals, to explore a particular topic in depth (fundamental question or application of evolutionary biology).
English and professional development
ECTS
2 credits
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Hours per week
15h
English tutorial courses aimed at developing professional autonomy in the English language.
Advanced ecology of ecosystems
ECTS
6 credits
Training structure
Faculty of Science
ORPAL is a course unit in APP (1/3 fieldwork and 2/3 practical work in the laboratory). The work, carried out in pairs or groups of three under the supervision of a mentor, covers the entire research process, from defining the problem, sampling in the field, data acquisition, to interpretation, writing a scientific article (see https://biologie-ecologie.com/exemples-travaux/), and oral presentation of the results.
ORPAM takes place during the first weeks of teaching. This course begins with a three-day field school (24 hours - orientation course) and continues with a mini laboratory course (24 hours). The course ends with the writing of a popular science article and an oral presentation of the results.
Advanced data processing
ECTS
2 credits
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Generalized linear mixed models + methodology and experimental protocols to account for biological reality: non-normal distribution and pseudo-replication
Protocol optimization, power, and uncontrolled type I risk: variable transformation, polynomial regression, link function, likelihood, model selection
Deviance and goodness-of-fit analysis
Incorporation of blocks, repeated measurements over time, consideration of spatial and temporal correlation, over-dispersion
Graphical representation of predictions.
Description and inference
ECTS
2 credits
Training structure
Faculty of Science
The objective of this course unit is to provide the necessary statistical foundations for following the more advanced modules in the curriculum; it is therefore a general refresher course. Descriptive statistics are reviewed (quantiles, cumulative frequency polygons, sample estimators), simple tests are presented, essential graphs for univariate and multivariate data are presented, and the general principle of a statistical test, hypothesis testing, the concept of p-value, and Type I and Type II errors are presented. In practical work, students are also brought up to speed in the R environment.
Admission
Admission requirements
Applications can be submitted on the following platform:
French and European students: follow the "eCandidat" procedure on the website: https://candidature.umontpellier.fr/candidature/