Short course on Mathematical, Statistical, and Computational Tools for Studying Biological Systems

We are writing a proposal to NIH for a summer short course which is tentatively scheduled on 5/16/2010 ~ 5/29/2010 (2 weeks) at Stillwater, OSU. Registration is FREE! In addition, if the program gets funded, participants in this short course will have the chance to receive travel/lodging scholarships ($300~$500) based on need.

The goal of this short course is to prepare researchers at all professional levels for multidisciplinary research on complex biological systems and phenotypes by improving integration of mathematical, statistical, and computational approaches into biological research. Specifically, this short course will (a) introduce biology majors the concepts, models, and software in mathematics, statistics, and computer science that are commonly used in solving biological problems; (b) introduce statistics, mathematics, and computer science majors the basic concepts, research problems, and examples of mathematical/statistical applications in biology. We will also invite experts active in these fields to give seminar talks. This course is suitable for all levels of audiences (undergraduate, graduate, post-doc, faculty, etc) including new comers to these fields.

By completing this short course, participants who are biology majors should be able to learn new approaches, become familiar with software, and understand the assumptions, advantages, and limitations of these approaches. Participants who are mathematics/statistics/computer science majors could benefit from training in the goals, nature, issues, and language of biological research and learn new ideas on how to apply their skills and knowledge to contemporary biological research. This short course will provide a great training opportunity for all the participants in the sense of building skills necessary for the job market as well as for future collaborative research.

In order to get the approximate number of participants, we need your help (1 minute) to respond to the following informal but simple survey (reply to mscsbio@okstate.edu and list the answers in order). As you know, the more positive responses we get, the better the chance that we could get it funded and hence this plan could become a reality!

1. Will you be ____________ a. interested and could attend b. interested but not sure if I can make it c. interested but cannot make it d. not interested

2. Will you like this course to be offered with credit (1 credit)? ______ a. Yes b. No c. Doesn?t matter

3. What major/field are you in?_________ a. Animal Science b. Biochemistry c. Botany d. Computer Science e. Mathematics f. Microbiology g. Molecular Genetics h. Plant and Soil Science i. Statistics j. Zoology k. Other ____________

4. Are you ____________ a. Undergraduate student b. Graduate student (MS or PhD) c. Post-doc fellow d. Research scientist e. Faculty f. Other __________

Please reply to mscsbio@okstate.edu directly with your answers in order. We would like to have your response ASAP (no later than May 4). Thanks for your help!

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