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Analysis of environmental data with machine learning methods
May, 4 - 8. 2009
Tentative Course Schedule
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Monday, 4 MAY 2009          
08:30 Registration
09:00 Introduction to knowledge discovery in environmental data                 
      Saso Dzeroski
10:30 Break
11:00 Introduction to machine learning                          
      Ivan Bratko      
12:30 Lunch break 
13:30 Induction of decision trees                                       
      Ivan Bratko
14:15 Evaluating results of learning                            
      Ivan Bratko
15:00 Break
15:30 - 17:00  Hands-on exercises with WEKA
      (Demonstration of a classification tree induction
       program and practical work on environmental data)


Tuesday, 5 MAY 2009
09:00 Induction of regression trees 
      Rule Induction                                              
      Bayesian classification (Naive Bayes)         
      Saso Dzeroski
10:30 Break
11:00 Hands-on exercises with WEKA
      (Applying regression trees, rule induction, 
            and Naive Bayes to environmental data)     
12:30 Lunch break
13:30 Introduction to the nearest neighbor method 
      Feature ranking, selection, and weighting
      Ensemble methods                              
      Saso Dzeroski
15:00 Break
15:30 - 17:00 Hands-on exercises with WEKA  
      (Applying the nearest neighbor method, 
       feature weighting/ranking/selection, 
       and ensemble methods to environmental data)                           


Wednesday, 6 MAY 2009
09:00 Machine learning and environmental/ecological modeling                
      Saso Dzeroski
09:45 An introduction to equation discovery                      
      Sao Dzeroski
10:30 Break 
11:00 Integrating background knowledge in equation discovery                
      Ljupco Todorovski
12:30 Lunch break 
13:30 Recent developments in equation discovery                     
      Ljupco Todorovski
14:15 Domain knowledge for modelling population dynamics 
      of aquatic ecosystems     
      Natasa Atanasova    
15:00 Break
15:30 Case studies in automated modelling of 
      population dynamics for aquatic ecosystems
      Natasa Atanasova                          
16:15 - 17:00   Habitat modeling for aquatic organisms
      Saso Dzeroski                             
19:00 Social dinner in downtown Ljubljana


Thursday, 7 MAY 2009
09:00 Machine Learning Applications in Forestry (1)             
      Forest border identification 
      Brown bear habitat modeling
      Predicting forest properties using LANDSAT and LIDAR data 
      Saso Dzeroski
10:30 Break 
11:00 Machine Learning Applications in Forestry (2)                 
      Forest stand mapping from LiDAR data
      Habitat mapping from satellite images
      Climate change influence on habitats
      Andrej Kobler     
12:30 Lunch break                           
13:30 Machine Learning Applications in Agriculture              
      Influence of farming practices on soil fauna 
      Predictive modeling for co-existence of GM 
      and conventional crops
      (gene-flow, seedbank persistence, ferals)
      Marko Debeljak 
15:00 Break
15:30 Participant presentations                     
17:00 Poster session (with drinks and snacks)
      Participants will have the opportunity to present 
      their work briefly orally and in more detail
      through a poster      


Friday, 8 MAY 2009
09:00 Machine Learning Applications in Environmental Epidemiology
      Respiratory diseases in children
      Saso Dzeroski             
      Habitat modeling for tick-borne disease vectors
      Marko Debeljak
      Effects of ocupational exposure to mercury
      Bernard Zenko    
10:30 Break 
11:00 Discussion (1)                            
11:45 Discussion (2)                            
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Discussion (3)                            
14:15 Machine learning application in disaster forecasting and relief
      Predicting runoff from a watershed             
      Boris Kompare      
15:00 Break 
15:30 Predicting earthquakes                         
      Prediction of fire danger in the natual environment       
      Saso Dzeroski
17:00 Closing remarks                           
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