This Class This is a graduate level spatial modeling class in natural resources This will be one of the most challenging classes you’ll probably take You’ll leave with a background in modeling and critical thinking that few GIS professionals ever achieve And, while it’s based on a class from OSU, it is being updated for HSU

Class Info We’ll use Canvas for assignments and grades. A link to the web site for materials is on the home page in Canvas

What is a model? An abstraction of reality We cannot describe all the details They are never perfect Help us to answer questions for problems we cannot test directly spectorlab.cshl.edu

Why do we model?

Modeling is Huge! Modeling is a huge, rapidly growing, and exciting field My background is in habitat suitability modeling with large datasets, primarily for plants There will be new topics we’ll work with to learn together Welcome to research!

How the class works There are three components: Analysis and Modeling in R Presentations and discussions Your project By the end of class you will be able to: Build your own models in R Articulate the theory, capabilities, and weaknesses of modeling Select appropriate modeling approaches Continue to learn about modeling in your field

What do you need from me? Break into groups of 3 Select the top 3 things you need me to do to help you be successful Select someone to add them to the list on the board

From Spring 2017: Make sure all information or material for projects and assignments are in one location Adequate, in person and email availability to troubleshoot modeling issues Continue to be receptive to input Communicate Availability Resources Take your time with programming explanations Keep environment open for questions Focus on specific tools rather than big range of toolkit -> doing a few things very well Office hours availability Two way communication understanding our knowledge gaps More exposure to R and various statistical analyses How to acquire high quality data (for free) like high resolution satellite imagery Application skills: how to pick a modeling approach for research questions How to incorporate uncertainty

Class Structure I’ve structured the class to prepare you for the “real” world Out there, there are few classes, tests, and quizzes Mostly there are: Communication (email & group) Coordination Budgets, reports Some data collection, evaluation, and modeling…

To Be Successful Show up for class and lab (on time) Do the readings Spend time getting to know R (play time!) Use your resources to get help! Me Other students Books, articles And the web

How to read the book I recommend: Read it once fairly quickly Go back and read key parts and think about them Try the code examples Ask questions about key parts that are unclear Play with the concepts in R until comfortable with them PS: this has taken me years

Projects You are responsible to present and turn in a completed project at the end of the semester I will not be asking for incremental deliverables (i.e. you need to manage your project schedule)

Start Now! Define your project Start your introduction Find the data! Can be part of your research but must have new content over existing deliverables Start your introduction Start looking for papers Create summaries (annotated bibliography) Add to citation manager (EndNote)