Welcome to BIOB11

Lecture 1

Iain R. Moodie

BIOB11 - Experimental design and analysis for biologists

Department of Biology, Lund University

Monday 23rd March, 2026

Welcome to the course!

Försöksdesign och analys för biologer (BIOB11)

Course rational

• Biology is full of interesting research questions
• Nearly all research in biology relies on collecting and analysing data of some kind
• Experimental design and statistical literacy is therefore important for:
  • doing your own research
  • understanding and evaluating research of other scientists

Försöksdesign och analys för biologer (BIOB11)

After completion of the course you should be able to:

• Explain fundamental concepts in experimental design and statistics
• Design and evaluate studies in relation to a research question
• Handle and manipulate biological data using R
• Statistically analyse, interpret and draw conclusions from biological data
• Present statistical results graphically, in writing and orally

Försöksdesign och analys för biologer (BIOB11)

How we are going to achieve those aims:

• Series of lectures/discussions (not passive)
• Series of computer exercises
• Literature seminar
• Creating a portfolio of analyses you can draw from
• Use modern techniques

Försöksdesign och analys för biologer (BIOB11)

What we expect from you

• Attend as much as you can (note some parts are mandatory to attend)
• Be friendly and open with each other, and work together
• Use assignments as on opportunity to learn
  • Read and reflect on feedback (instructor and peer)
• Tell us when something is unclear

Who are we?

Iain Moodie

Lectures, exercises and project work

• Doctoral student in the Biodiversity & Evolution division
• Research integrates evolutionary biology into ecotoxicology
• Course leader

Kaj Hulthén

Lecture: scientific integrity and ethics

• Researcher in the Functional Ecology division
• Researches migration in aquatic ecosystems

Anders Nilsson

Ladok teacher

• Professor & Head of Functional Ecology division
• Aquatic ecologist
• Handles grades in Ladok

Course structure

Course structure

Where to find information

• LU Canvas
  • Announcements
  • Schedule
  • Links to materials
  • Discussion
• Course website (Iain’s materials)
  • Will always be linked from Canvas

Course structure

Schedule

Course structure

Literature

• Introduction to Modern Statistics, 2nd ed,. Çetinkaya-Rundel & Hardin (2024) (IMS2)
• Statistical Inference via Data Science 2nd ed., Ismay, Kim & Valdivia (2025) (MD2)
• R for Data Science, 2nd ed., Wickham, Çetinkaya-Rundel & Grolemund (2023) (R4DS)
• Hands-On Programming with R, Grolemund (2018) (HOPR)
• Fundamental statistical concepts and techniques in the biological and environmental sciences, 1st ed. Duthie (2025) (StatBio)

Course structure

How to contact us

• Ask during the exercise sessions or at the end of lectures.
• Email: iain.moodie@biol.lu.se
• Email: kaj.hulthen@biol.lu.se
• LU Canvas

Questions?