Geometric Morphometrics for Beginners

January 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2027

Contact: courses@transmittingscience.com

Course Geometric Morphometrics for Beginners

Course Overview

The world around us is a space-time mosaic where forms evolve, constantly change and interact with each other. Geometric morphometrics is a digital morphological analysis tool that allows addressing biological key questions, such as shape transformation (variation) and the result of its interaction (covariation) with the physical environment, with an unprecedented analytical resolution.

In this course, these concepts will be explained in a simple and practical way. To do this, basic aspects such as the biological and geometric concept of landmark and semi-landmark configurations will be reviewed, the available comparative methodologies will be compared, and basic multivariate statistical methods will be put into practice that allow addressing biological problems at any scale of complexity, making special emphasis on visualization and interpretation of form variation.

This course is introductory, and is aimed at advanced degree students and graduates of all areas related to the biological sciences.

Places are limited to 18 participants.

Programme

Introduction: What is geometric morphometrics?
Brief history, geometric morphometrics vs “traditional” morphometrics.
Applications: What problems can be addressed with geometric morphometrics?
Available software, uses and differences.
Fundamentals of abstraction from shape geometry to landmarks and semilandmarks configurations.
Data acquisition, digitalisation and methodological considerations.
Size and shape in geometric morphometrics.
Generalized Procrustes Analysis, shape space and its conceptual and practical importance.
Alternative superimposing methods:
- Procrustes: Bookstein Shape Coordinates.
- Resistant Fit.
- Others: EDMA.
Practical case of application of the methodologies.
Semilandmarks digitization practices.
Viewing the results:
- The ‘Thin plate spline’: Transformation and the metaphor of the deformation grid.
- Deformation of surfaces in 2D and 3D.
Variation and covariation: Analysis tools with multivariate statistics; Factor analysis (PCA) and multivariate regression.
Association (covariation) between size and shape (allometry).

Intended audience & Assumed Background

This course is aimed to scientists (including early career researchers) with a graduate or postgraduate in sciences (including palaeontologists and archaeologists regardless of degree) who need to quantify differences in shape in their research.

No prior knowledge of geometric morphometrics is required, but some familiarity with multivariate statistics is recommended.

Software

Participants will use TPS series and MorphoJ for the practicals (both free and user friendly). The instructor will demonstrate some of the theory using other softwares too.

Dates & Schedule

Online live sessions on January 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2027.

From 14:00 to 19:00 (Madrid time zone).

Total course hours: 25 hours of online live lessons.

This course is equivalent to 1 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). The recognition of ECTS by other institutions depends on each university or school.

Format

In the live sessions we will combine online lectures with hands-on exercises.

Live sessions will be recorded. However, attendance to the live sessions is required to obtain the course certificate.

This course will be delivered in English.

Instructor

Dr. Jesús Marugán-Lobón
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
España

Registration Fees

Course Fee
Early bird (until October 31st, 2026):
476 €
(380.8 € for Ambassador Institutions)
Regular (after October 31st, 2026):
580 €
(464 € for Ambassador Institutions)
Prices include VAT.
After registration you will receive confirmation of your acceptance on the course.
Payment is not required during registration. Check discounts here.
How do I get the Ambassador Institution discount?
Registration