Methods for reproducible and open science

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The goal of this course it to teach reproducible and open science methods to graduate students, so that they can write reproducible analyses for their theses and manuscripts using state-of-the-art methods. 

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

Upon completion of the course, a student should know:

  • The importance of reproducible and open methods in science
  • The main causes of non-reproducible research
  • Understand how questionable research practices can result in non-reproducible work
  • Understand how pre-registration can help to avoid questionable research practices
  • How to find and reuse published data

Skills

Upon completion of the course, a student should be able to:

  • Use version control to manage their code and data
  • Use the targets pipeline tool to manage their analyses
  • Write a reproducible analysis
  • Review code
  • Develop an R package

General competence

Upon completion of the course, a student should:

  • Be able to work reproducibly

ECTS Credits

5 ECTS

Level of Study

Masters, PhD

Semester of Instruction

Spring.

This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. The application deadline is Wednesday in week 2 for the spring semester. Please see this page for more information. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a seat in Studentweb no later than Monday the week after the deadline.

It is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting, or you risk losing your seat. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must contact the Study Section (studie.bio@uib.no). The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on Mitt UiB.

Required Previous Knowledge
Bachelor in Biology or equivalent.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
BIO300B Biostatistics (5 ECTS) or equivalent.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Teaching and learning methods
Seminars
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Seminars. Approved compulsory activites are valid for 6 semesters, included the semester of completion.
Forms of Assessment

Portfolio assessment

  • Project using several of the elements taught in the course
  • Reflexive essay on what they learned making the project

Example project:

  • Reproduce analyses from a published paper
  • Make an R package
Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade, grade F is a fail.
Assessment Semester
Exam only in semesters with teaching.
Reading List
The reading list will be available within June 1st for the autumn semester and December 1st for the spring semester.
Course Evaluation
Students will evaluate the course in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the Department. You can find courseevaluations in the Quality Assurance Reports.
Programme Committee
The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses.
Course Administrator
The Faculty of Science and Technology - Department of Biological Sciences has the responsibility for the course and study programme