The course serves as an introduction to R programming language and software environment (RStudio) for data exploration, cleaning, organizing, analysis and visualization in a more powerful way. It is designed for Early Career Ocean Professionals who are beginners in R, hence, no prior experience is required. Relevant oceanographic (physical, chemical and biological) and fisheries datasets will be used in the training, making it easy to relate, understand and apply the course concept.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the learners are expected to:

• Be familiar with the R environment
• Learn how to use R for the most common data tasks: loading, cleaning, transforming and visualizing data
• Produce meaningful descriptive statistics and informative graphs.

Target audience and prerequisites

ECOPs who are enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree and ECOPs who are pursuing their postgraduate studies (Masters & PhD), and who intend to use R in their academic work are all encouraged to apply. No prior R knowledge will be required.  The current course is specifically targeting ECOPs from and/or based in Asia.

Course Content

• Module 1: Fundamental concepts in programming in R
  • Installing and setting R and RStudio, installing packages and understanding the environment
  • Exploring essential R packages including the essential packages such as Tidyverse, dplyr packages
  • Understanding vectors, matrices, factors, lists, dataframes, sorting and their use in R.
• Module 2: Data exploration and analysis
  • Testing assumption for statistical analysis
  • Data transformation
  • Univariate statistical tests
  • Multiple regression
• Module 3: Multivariate analysis
  • PCA
  • RDA
  • Clustering
• Module 4: Data visualization and graphics in R
  • Plotting in R
  • Package ggplot2

Instructors

• Facilitators
  • Margot Deschamps – Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
  • Paula Nieto - Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico
• Moderators
  • Gabriel A. Juma – Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
  • Raphael Roman – Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) Regional Coordinator for Asia
  • Chunhua Jiang – Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) National Coordinator for China
  • Yangyang Zhao  – Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) Training Coordinator for China

Language of instruction

English

Pre-course Activities

Before the start of the course, participants will be required to:

• Visit the  R software page and download the software.
• Download and install RStudio.
• Download the datasets that will be uploaded on the course (OTGA platform)
• Do a self-introduction on the OTGA platform and highlight their expectations
• Read the course materials notes that will be prepared by the lecturers.

Learner Assessment

1. Homework (asynchronous) assignment to practice through problems and deepen the student's knowledge
2. Individual/team project (Carry out data analysis project on one of the modules)
3. Presentation

Certificate

A certificate will be issued to those who complete all the course modules (both asynchronous/self-paced content as well the synchronous content or its recording within the deadlines), and all the course assignments and other evaluation tools (50% minimum pass grade).

Pre-requisites:

• have 10 years or less of professional experience in any field related to the ocean (see ECOP definition on https://www.ecopdecade.org/our-story/)
• have a working knowledge of English
• have basic computer skills
• be able to download and install software
• experience/familiarity with a variety of file formats such as: .pdf, doc or .docx, .txt, and .csv
• the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g., following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills)

Technology requirements

• A laptop or desktop from which the students can perform tasks and join the synchronous sessions.
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari web browsers
• Linux (preferably ubuntu 16.04 or above)
• Access to internet

Course Duration and Format

The course will take place online between 9 - 31th October 2023, with an estimated duration/workload of 30 - 35 hours. The course will consist mainly of asynchronous work, including reading assignments, watching tutorials and completing assignemnts and group work. 

Synchronous sessions

Although most of the materials will be uploaded in advance for asynchronous learning, there will be live sessions for trouble shooting, Q & A and for discussions.

The synchronous sessions will run 3 times(2h) a week. The live sessions will take place from 15:00 to 17:00 Bangkok time to allow for participation of teachers and students from a wide range of times zones. A proper timetable will be shared with the students by 30^th August 2023. Recordings of the live sessions will also be provided to students who might experience internet challenges or might not make to join the live sessions.

Application Process

A limited number of seats (60) is available. Please complete the oline application form available on this LINK. The applications start 11 August 2023. The deadline to submit the application is 25 August 2023  (23:59 CET: Central European Time).

UNESCO is committed to promote equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Selection process/criteria (60 seats available):

• be an ECOP from an Asian country
• ECOPs who are pursuing their undergraduate degree or have graduated with a Bachelor and are pursuing their postgraduate studies (Masters & PhD), and who intend to use R in their academic work will be encouraged to apply.

Contacts

• Course Coordinator: Gabriel A. Juma (gabriel.juma@awi.de)
• OTGA Secretariat: ioc.training@unesco.org

In case of questions please contact the Course Coordinator and the OTGA Secretariat always using the name of the course as email subject.

Costs: Free of charge. There are no tuition fees.

The instructors will give the course on voluntary basis with support from the OceanTeacher Global Academy.

Cancellation policy:

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.