Since 2005 the Paleobiology Database has conducted a five-week intensive course in analytical paleobiology at the University of California's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in Santa Barbara. In 2009 the course is scheduled to run from 30 June to 4 August, following NAPC. It will be supported primarily by the Paleontological Society with additional contributions from NESCent, the Palaeontological Association, and the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Topics include community paleoecology, quantitative biochronology, diversity curves, speciation and extinction, phylogenetics, phenotypic evolution, and morphometrics. Both simulation modelling and data analysis methods are employed. The course combines lectures and labs. Students are given hands-on instruction in programming using R and trained in other analytical software. In addition to the course coordinator, each week a new instructor is present. The 2009 instructors are John Alroy, Gene Hunt, Tom Olszewski, Pete Wagner, and Mark Webster.

There is no fee for registration, and students are housed for free in apartments on the UCSB campus. If necessary, travel expenses are partially reimbursed. Students are responsible for meal expenses. There are no other charges of any kind, and no other major expenses are likely.

The course is likely to be offered again in 2010, but arrangements have not been finalized. If we do offer the course, the application deadline is likely to be 15 February, and the official announcement is likely to be in the late fall. Here is some additional information in case you are considering applying.

Participating students are normally in the early stages of their own research in any area related to paleontology. They should have a background in basic statistics, and preferably also programming. We also strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, and international students.

Applications consist of a one page statement accompanied by a recommendation letter. The statement should include a brief description of current research plans, a list of degrees earned stating the year of graduation in each case, a brief list of relevant classes taken, and an account of the student's background in statistics and programming. Applicants are encouraged to explain why the topics addressed by the course are of special interest to them, and which of these subjects are taught at their home institutions.

2008 students

Tracy Aze	Cardiff University
Karen Bacon	University College Dublin
Diego Balseiro	Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
Javier Echevarria	Museo de La Plata
Liz Freedman	Montana State University
Michelle Lawing	Indiana University
Emily Lindsey	University of California, Berkeley
Luis Felipe Opazo	University of Plymouth
Juan José Rustan	Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
Daniel Thomas	University of Otago
Michael Tuite	University of Virginia
Laura Wilson	Universität Zürich

2007 students

Andrea Cobbett	University of Bath
Felipe de la Parra	University of Florida
Kathy Hollis	University of Colorado, Boulder
Philip Jardine	University of Birmingham
Soïzic Le Fur	Université de Poitiers
Graeme Lloyd	University of Bristol
Murat Maga	University of Texas, Austin
John Orcutt	University of Oregon
Claire Samant	Université de Poitiers
Susan Standen	Case Western Reserve University
Susumu Tomiya	University of California, Berkeley
Vera Weisbecker	University of New South Wales

2006 students

Ayse Atakul	Middle East Technical University
Mara Brady	University of Chicago
Andres Cardenas	University of South Florida
Brad Deline	University of Cincinnati
Jessica Gilner	Florida Institute of Technology
Ann Goewert	University of North Carolina
Stephen Goodyear	University of Texas, Austin
Sarah Kolbe	University of Copenhagen
Sarda Sahney	University of Bristol
Krister Smith	Yale University
Bryan Valencia	Florida Institute of Technology
Richard Wilkinson	Cambridge University

2005 students

Jessica Blois	Stanford University
Devin Buick	University of Cincinnati
Sylvain Gerber	Université de Bourgogne
Zack Krug	Penn State University
Elise Nardin	Université de Bourgogne
Mike Nowak	Duke University
Matt O'Donnell	Penn State University
Jocelyn Sessa	Penn State University
Adam Tomasovych	Universität Würzburg
Patrick Wall	Syracuse University
Mike Weiser	University of Arizona