Winter School & Symposium 2025: Harnessing Machine Learning for Breakthroughs in Plant and Environmental Sciences

PSC_WinterSchool_ML_FS25
10.03.2025 - 14.03.2025
Winter School Workshops 3 days + Symposium 2 days
  • 10.03.2025, 09:00 - 18:00: Winter School 2025: Workshops
  • 11.03.2025, 09:00 - 18:00: Winter School 2025: Workshops
  • 12.03.2025, 09:00 - 18:00: Winter School 2025: Workshops
  • 13.03.2025, 09:00 - 18:00: Winter School 2025: Symposium - Harnessing Machine Learning for Breakthroughs in Plant and Environmental Sciences
  • 14.03.2025, 09:00 - 18:00: Winter School 2025: Symposium - Harnessing Machine Learning for Breakthroughs in Plant and Environmental Sciences
Start registration period: 18.11.2024
End of registration period: 15.01.2025
ETH Zurich, centre
30
30
Master's / Doctoral students and Postdocs affiliated with the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, and the University of Basel: CHF 0.
All other participants: CHF 300 (Travel and Accommodation not included).
Winter School Content
Machine Learning (ML), a cutting-edge branch of artificial intelligence (AI), enables computers to learn from data and aid decision-making. In Plant and Environmental Sciences, ML can analyse large datasets, identify patterns, and make predictions to deepen our understanding of biological processes and environmental changes. By leveraging these tools, researchers can uncover new insights and make more informed decisions.

This Winter School offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest ML techniques, understand the unique challenges working with Plant and Environmental Sciences datasets and develop strategies on how ML methods and algorithms can address them.

The event is divided into two parts Winter School (March 10-12, 2025) and Symposium (March 13-14, 2025).

The Winter School will offer an intensive three-day program, designed to deepen your knowledge in machine learning and gain practical, hands-on experience. The Winter School features interactive workshops using real-world datasets, complemented by short seminars addressing current technical challenges in analyzing plant and environmental data. Participants will learn how ML can address such challenges with an overview of ML tools and algorithms applied to these fields.
To obtain 2 ECTS, participants in the Winter School are also required to attend the Symposium, which will build on workshop technical learnings as the focus will be applications of ML in Plant and Environmental Siences. Places are limited to 30 participants.

The Symposium will focus on ML applications, offering essential insights into methodologies and a broader perspective on how ML can advance our understanding and management of environmental challenges, climate adaptation, biodiversity, and precision agriculture.
A lineup of experts
2
Registration is primarily open to Master’s students, Doctoral students and Postdoctoral researchers affiliated with the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, and the University of Basel. External participants may register if additional places are available.


Participants should have a foundational understanding of programming in R and Python. Completion of the "Introductory Course to Machine Learning for Plant Sciences - Module 1" is recommended. Although the Winter School will start with a brief refresher lecture on ML by Prof. Jan Dirk Wegner, the majority of the program will concentrate on advanced ML methods and challenges in plant and environmental sciences.

Motivation Letter Requirement
As part of the registration process, applicants are required to submit a motivation letter that includes:
• A list and description of previous training and experience with programming and machine learning (duration of training and practical experience).
• An outline of their current research project, highlighting how machine learning may contribute to their work.
English
The course is an ungraded semester performance. Students are expected to actively participate throughout the Winter School and Symposium. They will work in teams to solve a designated challenge, demonstrating their understanding of the material. During the Symposium, students will take on leadership roles by chairing sessions and coordinating to ask insightful questions, fostering an engaging and interactive environment.

By registering you agree to the PSC course terms and conditions AGBs

Cancellation of a course registration should be arranged with the organiser Dr. Bojan Gujas (bojan.gujas@usys.ethz.ch) and is possible free of charge up to 1 month before the course starts.
Later cancellations and failure to attend or incomplete attendance without documented justification will incur a fee of 200 CHF.
Travel and Accommodation: Accommodation during the winter school if needed and travel should be self-organizend and at your own costs.

Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center

Dr. Bojan Gujas (bojan.gujas@usys.ethz.ch)
ML WSS25_Abstract_V1_Daylight.pdf
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