Making It Fit: Using Excel to Analyze Biological Systems
Author(s)
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
The University of Southern Mississippi
Robert.Leaf@usm.edu
Abstract
In this case, students read about a biologist who needs to determine how to analyze age-at-length data, a common situation in fisheries biology. The fictional Dr. Latimer is tasked with fitting non-linear models to the data, and the case develops as he draws parallels between linear and non-linear models. After learning the terminology and concepts through a series of exercises, students use Excel's built-in Solver algorithm to fit models to the data. Intended for use in a fisheries biology, ecology, or management class, the case is targeted to junior and senior level undergraduate students who have some experience using spreadsheets on microcomputers and some knowledge of ichthyology.
Objectives
- Understand the similarities of non-linear and simple linear regression.
- Appreciate the importance of non-linear regression to describe natural phenomena.
- Learn how to use the "Solver" algorithm in Microsoft Excel.
- Become familiar with basic computer programming in Microsoft Excel.
- Understand fish growth and gain exposure to the most commonly used model to describe it<./li>
Keywords
Fisheries management; ichthyology; yellow tang; Zebrasoma flavescens; fish; fish growth; age determination; von Bertalanffy growth function; non-linear regression; Microsoft Excel; HawaiiTopical Areas
Scientific methodEducational Level
Undergraduate upper divisionFormat
PDFType / Methods
Discussion, InterruptedLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Natural Resource Management | Wildlife Management | Ecology | Biology (General) |
Date Posted
9/11/2009Teaching Notes
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Supplemental Materials
Simulated age and growth data for yellow tang, the species of fish used in the case study, are included in the supplemental Excel spreadsheet provided here (Age_Length.xls).
Age_Length.xls
Answer Key
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Comments
Dalma Martinovic
mart6831@stthomas.edu
Biology
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul
03/14/2020
Great materials and activity! Thank you. -----------------------------