Introduction to Bayesian Analysis using WinBUGS 

19 - 20 September 2006 

This introductory course is aimed at statisticians, data analysts and quantitative researchers who are interested in finding out what Bayesian methods are all about, and how to apply them to analyse their data using the WinBUGS software. There is a large practical component to this course with time for hands-on data analysis using examples drawn mainly from the social and health sciences. 
No previous experience of Bayesian methods or WinBUGS is necessary, although some experience of using standard (maximum likelihood-based) linear and generalised linear regression models will be assumed, and participants will be expected to be familiar with some common probability distributions (normal, binomial, Poisson). Students who already have some experience of using WinBUGS and/or are comfortable with the basic ideas of Bayesian analysis should attend the 2-day intermediate course on Bayesian Hierarchical Models (there will be only a small overlap between the 2 courses restricted to the first morning, so it is possible to follow both courses consecutively if desired). 

Summary of course content: 
Basic probability theory (conditional probabilities, Bayes theorem) 
Common probability distributions (normal, Poisson, binomial, beta, gamma) 
Conjugate Bayesian inference for binary, count and continuous data 
Making inference from posterior distributions   
Choosing prior distributions 
Introduction to MCMC methods and Gibbs sampling 
Bayesian regression models (linear, non-linear, GLMs) 
Bayesian model checking and comparison (residuals, predictions, DIC) 
Random effects (multilevel / hierarchical) models for normal data 
Hands-on experience of using WinBUGS software for Bayesian analysis 

Course Instructors: 
Professor Nicky Best, Imperial CollegeLondon
Dr David Spiegelhalter, MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge

Course Organiser: Professor Nicky Best

Course Fee (inc. catering): Due to sponsorship from the ESRC NCRM, we are able to offer this course to participants from UK and EU academic/non profit organisations at a heavily discounted rate.

UK and EU academic/non profit organisations: £80 (Additional £20 payment if attending Course Dinner)
Non EU academic/non profit organisations: £360 (Dinner included)
Industry: £540 (Dinner included)

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Bayesian Hierarchical Models 
21 - 22 September 2006 
This intermediate level course is designed to be of interest to researchers in statistics and biostatistics or those interested in quantitative applications in epidemiology, medicine, biological sciences, social sciences and environmental science, plus individuals with a general interest in understanding and applying advanced quantitative Bayesian methods. There is a large practical component to this course with time for hands-on data analysis. 
The course assumes some previous experience of Bayesian concepts, and a good grasp of basic statistics, including linear and generalised linear regression analysis. It is recommended that students should have had a minimum contact with the WinBUGS software although this is not essential. Students with no previous knowledge of Bayesian inference should attend the 2-day introductory course (there will be only a small overlap between the 2 courses restricted to the first morning, so it is possible to follow both courses consecutively if desired) 

Summary of course content: 
Introduction to complex Bayesian modelling 
Bayesian graphical and hierarchical models 
Bayesian computation and Markov chain Monte Carlo methods (Gibbs and Metropolis and other samplers)
Introduction to model criticism and comparison of Bayesian hierarchical models 
Prior distributions and sensitivity analysis for hierarchical models 
More complex hierarchical models, including models for longitudinal data, cross-classified data and autoregressive and spatial models 
Measurement error and missing data 
Practical experience of using the WinBUGS software 

Course Instructors: 
Professor Sylvia Richardson, Professor Nicky Best, Dr John Molitor, Imperial CollegeLondon
Course Organiser:   Professor Sylvia Richardson 

Course Fee (inc. catering):
£540 (industry) £360 (academic, inc. non-profit organisations) £240 (students and Imperial Staff ).
25% discount on joint fees if registering and paying full fees (£360 or £540) also for the Introduction to Bayesian Analysis using WinBUGS short course.

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Statistical Analysis of Genetic Association Studies

28 - 29 September 2006

This is an intermediate level course aimed at researchers who already have a grasp of statistical methods (e.g. hypothesis testing, correlation, using regression models), and some familiarity with genetics data (e.g. terminology such as polymorphism, haplotype, SNP).   An introduction to population genetics and linkage disequilibrium will be provided.
There will be exercises using the statistical package R: a brief refresher will be provided, but participants not currently familiar with R are strongly encouraged to download it (it's free and easy to install; see www.r-project.org) and to work through some of the examples in the "Introduction to R" document, available under "Manuals" on the above web page.

Summary of course content:
* Population genetics of LD
* Statistical measures of association
* Inferring haplotypes from genotypes
* Tagging and the Hap Map
       
* Population-based candidate-gene studies
* Genome-wide scans
* Population-based fine-scale mapping
* Family-based association studies
* Accounting for population substructure  

Course Instructors:     Professor David Balding, Dr Maria De Iorio, & Dr Lachlan Coin, Imperial College, and Dr Andrew Morris, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford.

Course Organiser:   Professor David Balding

Course Fee (inc. lunch):  £400 (industry) £300 (academic, inc non-profit organisations) £200 (Imperial Staff and full-time students)
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Further details from:              Wolfson Conference Centre
                                   Imperial College School of Medicine
                                   Hammersmith Hospital
                                   Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN
 
Tel:                               +44 (0)20 8383 3117/3227/3245
Email:                             [log in to unmask]
 
Web:  www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/about/resources/wcc/default.html


*´¨) 
¸.· ´¸.·*´¨)   ¸.·*¨) 
(¸.·´      (¸.·'     * 
Madeline Kirk
Dept. of Epidemiology and Public Health
Faculty of Medicine
Imperial College London
Norfolk Place 
London
W2 1PG
 
Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 3319
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7402 2150