Application of Biometrics and Biostatistics to Agricultural Science

Statistics and biometrics have emerged as crucial disciplines not only in agricultural sciences but also in various other fields. This significance is primarily attributed to three factors: Firstly, advancements in data measurement techniques have facilitated the collection of extensive and diverse biological and agronomic data that were previously unattainable. Secondly, the evolution of data science methodologies has enabled the integration and modeling of such collected data. Thirdly, the enhancement of computational capabilities has empowered the utilization of these methodologies. These advancements have rendered statistical and biometric methods indispensable for extracting insights from the vast and varied biological and agronomic datasets.


Throughout this lecture series, a diverse array of biological and agronomic datasets will serve as illustrative examples to demonstrate various analytical methods. Delivered in a hands-on format, utilizing R, Python, and Matlab, the aim is to equip students with practical analysis skills. The initial portion of the course, spanning the first one-third, will focus primarily on techniques for summarizing, visualizing, and modeling relationships within multivariate datasets. In the subsequent one-third, students will delve into linear models, linear mixed models, local regression, and nonlinear models. Finally, in the last segment, students will explore image analysis, machine learning, and deep learning methods. While the course will cover a broad spectrum of methods, ranging from introductory to advanced levels, the emphasis will be on developing the capability to independently conduct analyses rather than on elaborating on the theoretical underpinnings of the methods.