Micro-credential - Using R - Environmental and Agriculture Applications

Program Overview

This online micro-credential introduces data collection and analysis techniques using R and RStudio, with a focus on non-market valuation in environmental and agricultural contexts. Students learn classical statistical methods, programming concepts, and non-market valuation methods. Upon completion, they receive a Certificate of Achievement, PD points, and a UWA Plus Transcript.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This micro-credential introduces students to data collection and statistical data analysis using R and R studio, and focuses in detail on a set of specific methods relevant to obtaining non-market value information.

• Students are also introduced to basic programming concepts that allow R to be used to automate repetitive data management and analysis tasks; the advanced graphics capacity of R; and the workflow for reproducible report generation.
• The second part of the course focuses on the specific methods that can be used to obtain non-market values for environmental assets, with a focus on agricultural and environmental trade-offs.
• This micro-credential provides students with a deep understanding of the major methods of classical statistics, with agriculture and environment applications, and provides students with the skills and confidence to undertake independent statistical analysis.
• Additionally, it provides students with the knowledge and skills to undertake a wide range of non-market valuation studies.

Teaching:

• This course is online.
• Each week students are provided with a set of recorded lecture and a set of worked exercises that map to the content covered in the lectures.
• There is then a set of practice questions directly related to the content covered in the worked examples.
• There is a discussion board to post questions, and a weekly live online drop-in session that is open to anyone that has any questions on the content question.
• The course has a dedicated website with example code.

Other:

• This micro-credential was developed with the support of the Australian Government's Micro-credential Pilot in Higher Education.
• Upon successful completion, you'll receive:
• Twelve (12) PD Points
• A Certificate of Achievement
• A UWA Plus Professional Development Transcript, listing all successfully completed micro-credentials
• Delivery mode: On-line
• Course dates:
• 22 July - 1 November 2024 [MC-2C]
• 22 July - 13 June 2025 [MC-2Y]
• Duration: 12 or 24 weeks
• Effort: 300 hours
• Academic lead: Associate Professor James Fogarty
• Cost: Thanks to a Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education grant this 12 point micro-credential will be offered on a fee-free basis.
• Students will be provided with 12 points credit that can be used toward two specific 6 point units in the following programs: Master Agricultural Science; Master Environmental Science; Master Environmental Economics; and Master of Agribusiness.
• For other postgraduate courses at students will be able to apply for unspecified credit, where the 12 point micro-credential will substitute for two 6 point electives, or depending on the specific program, core statistics units.
• Registrations are open.
• This micro-credential is relevant to anyone working in agriculture or environmental economics, or environmental management.
• This micro-credential assumes no prior knowledge.
• Gain a deep understanding of the major methods of classical statistics, with agriculture and environment applications
• Become equipped with the the knowledge and skills to undertake a wide range of non-market valuation studies
• Gain the skills and confidence to undertake independent statistical analysis
• Collect, manage and interpret observational and experimental data relevant to agricultural and environmental applications
• Formulate testable hypotheses and use appropriate statistics to test them
• Use R/RStudio to prepare professional high quality reports that integrate data analysis, graphics, and general reporting;
• Analyse survey data to obtain willingness-to-pay estimates for environmental assets, and evaluate the quality of estimates
• Design survey instruments that can be used to obtain non-market values