Past events 2014

Regular Writing Lab for interested IMPRS doctoral candidates! Take advantage and write on your manuscript / grant etc., discuss your problems and doubts with your peer or simply feel motivated by the writing atmosphere! It is only for doctoral candidates, no supervisors or instructors, no obligatory participation!at U KN:every Tuesday afternoon, from 14 to 18!room Z816at MPIO Seewiesen:every Friday afternoon, from 13 to 17!seminar room house 11 [more]

Grundlagen und rechtliche Hintergründe zur Vogelberingung. Ein weiterer Kurs wird im Sommer 2014 angeboten. Interessenten können sich per e-Mail bei uns melden und werden dann benachrichtigt, wenn der nächste Kurstermin (1-2x jährlich) feststeht. [more]

Intensive manuscript-writing course. Participants are expected to work on their own manuscripts during the course. Requirements: Participation in the Introduction in Scientific Paper-Writing course or experiences in manuscript writing. [more]

day 1: LM Linear Regression, multiple Regression ANOVA, ANCOVA (least-square method, parameterisation, interactions, tests (marginal and sequential), model selection, model assumptions, predictions, introduction to Bayesian data analysis); day 2: LME linear mixed models (maximum likelihood, restricted maximum likelihood, random and fixed effects, likelihood ratio test / bootstrap, random slopes-random intercept models, evt. further model types depending on the participants wishes); day 3: LME (model matrix, simulating posterior distributions of model parameters, predictions, posterior probabilities of hypotheses, preparing data for work on own data); day 4: work on own data and presentations. Prerequisite for participation: basic knowledge in statistics [more]

This two-day workshop enables life scientists to to write clearly and with impact! The participants learn how to construct a “take-home” message that tells the story of their research, choose words that communicate their science clearly, and structure their paper into a flowing narrative. [more]

Diese Wochenend-Tagungen finden einmal jährlich für alle Beringer und an Beringungsprojekten Interessierte statt. Weitere Informationen gehen direkt an die registrierten Beringer. [more]

This five-day course is aimed at Biologists (PhD students and Master students) who work with medium to large datasets. The course goal is to learn how to re-arrange and query the data and how to best manage data. This course will teach researchers how to use the Unix shell, Python programming language, what databases are for and how to use them, to become more efficient at the conduction of the common but often time-consuming scientific task to deal with data. We will spend two days learning different techniques, and then we will move on and deal with your own data sets for two days. We will develop solutions for individual problems in the group. If the time allows it, we will move on to relational databases on the last day. When signing up, please send an exemplary data file that you work with, and which you need to re-arrange or query on a regular basis, but that you find difficult or time-consuming to do in Excel. You do not need to send a complete dataset, what we need to know is the main structure of the dataset, and the task that needs doing. Incomplete or exemplary datasets are sufficient. This course will use the operating systems of OS X (on a Mac) or in a Linux environment. Windows users should be prepared to install Linux on a partition of their laptop, or to install a software that emulates Linux (both are free of charge). Requirements: None. This course aims at people who find using Excel for data management time-consuming, boring and inefficient, but do not know how to do better. No previous experience in scripting is required. After completing this course, you will be able to use the power of your computer to time-efficently handle your data, which will allow you to spend more time doing actual research and analyses. [more]

The IMPRS for Organismal Biology regularly accepts new PhD fellows once a year. We announce new open PhD projects in November. Application deadline for these positions is January 15. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to our Selection Symposium in March. Successful applicants start their PhD projects latest in September. [more]

Scientific bird ringing is a research method based on the individual marking of birds. Any record of a ringed bird, either through recapture and subsequent release, or on the occasion of its final recovery as a dead bird, will tell us something about its life. In addition, a series of measurements can be gained from the bird in the hand (morphometry, fat, muscle and moult scores etc.). Bird trapping and marking is one of the basic methods to study the biology, ecology, behaviour, movement, breeding productivity and population demography of birds. In this 4-day course you will learn the legal background as well as the basic principles on handling living wild songbirds, perform standard measurements, determination of species, age and sex, and of course how to attach a ring. The course will be held at the institute’s field station on Mettnau peninsula near Radolfzell. We will set up a series of 20-30 mistnets and do bird trapping all day round whenever weather allows. In between there is time for explanations, discussions and of course individual training of taking birds out of mistnets and of handling and measuring them. The field station offers very simple accommodation (6 beds in two rooms) and a very simple kitchen. Toilet facilities can be used in a house nearby. Self-catering has to be arranged. [more]

Der Brutbiologische Kurs der Vogelwarte vermittelt Grundkenntnisse zur Arbeit an brutbiologischen Fragestellungen bei Kleinvögeln. [more]

A voice can be monotone or emotional, squeaky or impressive, weak or strong… But how can you improve your voice and find a relaxed and impressive way of vocalization? The course will provide some basic theory and practical exercise how you can improve your vocalization. The strong interplay of body, breath and voice provides the great opportunity to modulate your speech by manipulating “only” one of them. We will use some practical exercises from acting classes and voice training that you can do during daily routine and are also applicable short before a presentation. Become aware of your probably most powerful tool and start up your voice! Please register latest Jun 18! Maximal number of participants: 12 [more]

In this course we will investigate the possibilities of using spatial information to produce maps, enrich data and in general visualise spatial data. Biological questions, particularly ecological questions are increasingly aware of space in geographic terms. But how can we deal with spatial information to associate locations with environmental conditions derived from satellite images or weather stations? A particular aspect will be macroecological analysis and movement ecological questions, two aspects of ecological research that deeply rely on association of biological and geographic data. Information und registration: kamran.safi@uni-konstanz.de [more]

Intensive manuscript-writing course. Participants are expected to work on their own manuscripts during the course. Requirements: Participation in the Introduction in Scientific Paper-Writing course or equivalent experiences. [more]

The participants will learn how to conduct media interviews and get a detailed insight into professional video-production. They will actively participate in the production of a video and get to know the journalists view on how to communicate complex scientific information to the public. As a result of this 3-days workshop, a video portrait of our IMPRS with its diverse scientific projects will be produced during these days. Already produced videos with Christian Maier and Lukas Piechowski can be found at our YouTube channel 'IMPRSOrgBiol'.Program:25.08.: U KN (Z816)26.08.: MPIO Radolfzell (seminar room E 1.01)28.08.: MPIO Seewiesen (seminar room house 11)Deadline for registration: 01.06.2014! [more]

5th Symposium of the International Max Planck Research School for Organismal Biology:Redouan Bshary (U Neuchatel): On the evolution of cooperation: how natural history provides the basis for theoretical modelsJaap van Schaik (MPIO): The interaction between host social system and parasite evolutionary potentialTim Clutton-Brock (U Cambridge): The Origins of SocietyMariëlle van Toor (MPIO): Using temporal segmentation of habitat use to identify series of behaviourally consistent distribution modelsLisa Gill (MPIO): Vocalisations, hormones and breeding stages in newly formed groups of zebra finchesWolfgang Forstmeier (MPIO): Researcher degrees of freedom and the reliability of scienceErica Stuber (MPIO): Patterns of sleep in great tits (Parus major) in the wild Iain Couzin (U Princeton): From Democratic Consensus to Cannibalistic Hordes: The Principles of Collective BehaviourRalf Schneider (U KN): Gene regulatory networks that shape developmental adaptive plasticity in a cichlid fish [more]

The teaching week addresses the new IMPRS students to give an insight into the different labs and research groups, their research focus and methods, and to give the new students the opportunity to get to know each other, exchange experiences and to discuss possible collaboration with other labs. The teaching week is obligatory for all incoming graduate students, everybody else interested is warmly welcome to join! In 2014, research groups and labs from U KN and the MPIO Radolfzell will present their research topics and methods, in a mixture of lectures, experiments, and tours through their facilities: 20.09.14: day off21.09.14: IMPRS student excursion22.09.14: research group Wikelski (MPIO Radolfzell)23.09.14: research groups Meyer + Rothhaupt (U KN)24.09.14: research groups Thum + van Kleunen (U KN)25.09.14: research groups Galizia + Kleineidamm (U KN) [more]

Research workers in many fields are realizing the substantial limitations of statistical tests, test statistics, arbitrary α-levels, P-values, and dichotomous rulings concerning “statistical significance.” These traditional approaches were developed at the beginning of the last century and are being replaced by modern methods that are much more useful. These methods rely on the concept of information loss and formal evidence. They provide easy-to-compute quantities such at the probability of each hypothesis/model and evidence ratios. Furthermore, simple methods allow formal inference (e.g. prediction/forecasting) from all the models in an a priori set (“multimodel inference”). This course on the Information-Theoretic approaches to statistical inference focuses on the practical application of these new methods and is based on Kullback-Leibler information and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC). The material follows the recent textbook: Anderson, D. R. 2008. Model based inference in the life sciences: a primer on evidence. Springer, New York, NY. 184pp. A copy of this book, a reference sheet, and several handouts are included in the registration fee. These courses stress science and science philosophy as much as statistical methods. The focus is on quantification and qualification of formal evidence concerning alternative science hypotheses. The courses are informal and discussion and debate is encouraged.Registration deadline: September, 15. [more]

Einführung und Begrüßung (Prof. Dr. Christof Hauck)Vergabe der Urkunden an die Absolventinnen / Absolventen des Studienjahres 2013 / 2014 und Verleihung der Preise des Vereins der Ehemaligen der Universität Konstanz (VEUK) e.V. (Prof. Dr. Thomas Brunner, Studiendekan und Dr. Susan Rößner)Aufnahme der Doktorandinnen und Doktoranden der Graduiertenschule Biological Sciences (Prof. Dr. Thomas Mayer)Aufnahme der Doktorandinnen und Doktoranden der International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology (Prof. Dr. Christoph Kleineidam)Antrittsvorlesung: Prof. Dr. Christoph Kleineidam "A Metropolis run by Mini-Brains: The Life of Leaf-Cutting Ants"Anschliessend Stehempfang im Eingangsbereich R712. [more]

This five-day course is aimed at Biologists (PhD students and Master students) who work with medium to large datasets. The course goal is to learn how to re-arrange and query the data and how to best manage data. This course will teach researchers how to use the Unix shell, Python programming language, what databases are for and how to use them, to become more efficient at the conduction of the common but often time-consuming scientific task to deal with data. We will spend two days learning different techniques, and then we will move on and deal with your own data sets for two days. We will develop solutions for individual problems in the group. If the time allows it, we will move on to relational databases on the last day. When signing up, please send an exemplary data file that you work with, and which you need to re-arrange or query on a regular basis, but that you find difficult or time-consuming to do in Excel. You do not need to send a complete dataset, what we need to know is the main structure of the dataset, and the task that needs doing. Incomplete or exemplary datasets are sufficient. This course will use the operating systems of OS X (on a Mac) or in a Linux environment. Windows users should be prepared to install Linux on a partition of their laptop, or to install a software that emulates Linux (both are free of charge). Requirements: None. This course aims at people who find using Excel for data management time-consuming, boring and inefficient, but do not know how to do better. No previous experience in scripting is required. After completing this course, you will be able to use the power of your computer to time-efficently handle your data, which will allow you to spend more time doing actual research and analyses. [more]

This is an activity-based workshop led by theatre professionals whose expertise is in helping the speaker effectively communicate the importance and relevance of the work and the core message in the talk. Repetition is a key aspect of the training so that participants can strengthen the narrative, the emotional tone, and the physicality of the talk in order to def ine and support the speaker’s own dynamic style. Description The seminar provides participants the opportunity to perfect their public-speaking skills. Constructive feedback from the trainer and group members as well as videotaping give the speaker a healthy amount of input while perfecting public-speaking skills. Participants will be required to prepare a 3 to 5 minute pitch or overview of their work incorporating also the use of a slide. This will provide a basis for applying the practical aims of the workshop. Throughout the three day workshop, participants will be guided through interactive exercises to improve nonverbal communication, improve the ability to listen and react generously, and to integrate focusing techniques which empower the speaker. There will be two videotaping sessions (on the second and third days) in this advanced workshop, as well as further in depth role play regarding the topic of dealing with challenging Q&A sessions. Contents in brief - Concisely introducing yourself: practice your “pitch” - Engaging the audience in one’s talk - Aff irming the strengths and individual style of the speaker - Improving body language - Effectively promoting oneself - Develop strong tactics for effective communication - Receiving video-feedback Methods - voice and body techniques - partner work/role-play - language practice and analysis - improvisation, videotaping and feedback [more]

Annual retreat of the IMPRS PhD students2014 program: workshops offered by the PhD students for the PhD students!Attendance at this retreat is obligatory for all students. [more]

This course will allow for one week of intense introduction in R a powerful opensource programming environment widely used in scientific research. We will begin with understanding how we can wrok with R to make our lifes as biologists from a wider range of subdisciplines easier. Consequently, we will want to undestand how data can be mined, rearranged and basic visualisations made. This is not a statistics course, it is intended to give a general all purpose introduction in R, from where further exploration can be achieved without the usually steep initial learning curve. Information and registration with kamran.safi@uni-konstanz.de. [more]

This two-day workshop enables life scientists to effectively create figures based on quantitative data that add impact to their publications. The workshop is divided into two one-day modules: Principles and Applications. On the first day, the Principles module focuses on understanding the purpose of a figure, choosing the most appropriate plot type, and the science of perception. The first day is primarily concerned with the art of visual communicaiton and integrates participants’ own examples into the teaching process. On the second day, the Applications module focuses on the practical implementation of the data visualisation principles discussed on the first day. This is done using the R statistical programming environment with the participants’ own data. Sample Submission Participants are asked to provide a sample visualisation of their own results that will be used as a teaching example on the first day. Requirements Participants should already be proficient with R. A detailed list of suggested R functions and concepts is provided in a pre-workshop self-assessment for participants. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring in their own data sets and computers for practical work on the second day and should have the following cross-platform software pre-installed:R – v3.0 or later (http://www.r-project.org/)RStudio – v0.97 or later (http://rstudio.org/download/desktop)JGR – v1.7-14 or later (http://rforge.net/JGR/index.html) [more]

Day 1: Binomial model - refreshing LM and LMM - introduction Bayesian data analysis - logistic regression, binomial model - model assumptions, overdispersion - tests, predictions Day 2: Poisson model - Poisson model - model assumptions, overdispersion - tests, predictions - depending on participants wishes: zero-inflation Day 3: GLMM - including random effects - glmer-function - depending on participants wishes: introduction to WinBUGS and more complex models Day 4: projects - work on own data and presentationsPrerequisite for participationModul 1 and 2, basic knowledge in statistics, linear models (ANOVA) and linear mixed models [more]

First afternoon: theoretical introduction in bat acoustics, echolocation and virtual echo-acoustic objects;Second afternoon: theoretical-practical introduction in SASLab Pro [more]

day 1: 2-3 Short inputs depending on participants projects short presentation of participants projects day 2 and 3: guided work on own project day 3: presentations of projects prerequisite for participation basic knowledge in statistics, participation in at least 2 of the Modules 1 – 3. Participants bring their own data. They are requested to send a short description of their projects to the teachers at least one week before the start of the workshop. [more]