This three-day course is aimed at individuals who work with large amounts of data measured on many variables, who want to understand the sources of variation in processes and the impact that these variations may have on service or product quality. The course introduces multivariate methods which project the information contained in these variables down to a few charts and plots that are simple to interpret. The multivariate methods covered are PCA (principal component analysis) and PLS (projection to latent structures). Using these multivariate methods can increase understanding of process behavior and can lead to adjustments that result in improved quality and better, more effective operating policies. The course is structured with an equal blend of methods, example applications and computer labs. It is taught by leaders in the field who have developed many of these methods and who have applied them widely in industry. Any participant who is already using a multivariate software package can bring it for use in the labs. Our instructors will also provide a trial version of the Prosensus Multivariate software for use in the course.
Short summary
This course is intended for scientists and engineers who regularly deal with process data.
Multivariate methods will provide you with a powerful set of tools for understanding your process data, and lead to effective process monitoring and optimization.
We only offer our multivariate data course once or twice a year to a group of 20 participants at a time. Please register online for our next course.
If you cannot attend in the next course, click here and fill out the form to receive a reminder about our future courses.
Massive amounts of data are routinely collected around our processes, yet little use is made of these data. This course introduces methods which project the information contained in these data down to a few charts and plots that are much simpler to interpret.
The methods that do this are called latent variable methods and are known by the names of PCA (principal component analysis) and PLS (projection to latent structures).
An understanding of multivariate methods, such as PCA and PLS, will provide you with the tools necessary to better understand your process, make adjustments that lead to improved product quality, and to implement monitoring systems that lead to an optimized process.
The course is structured with an equal blend of theory, example applications and computer labs.
Target audience
This intensive short course will be relevant to scientists and engineers who regularly deal with process data.
Prerequisites
A basic background in dealing with process data is desirable. A background in basic statistics is helpful, but not required.
Materials we provide
All the material will be available in a full-colour binder for participants to take notes in. You will also receive a CD that contains the course notes in electronic format (print-quality PDF), the example data sets and additional papers with much more details on the methods. A fully functional version of our software package, ProSensus MultiVariate, is also provided.
Software and computer sessions
This course uses interactive computer sessions, using a number of industrial data sets, to reinforce the concepts. ProSensus focuses on teaching the concepts and practical use of the methods, with real data sets.
The software used in the course is our package, ProSensus MultiVariate. This package has all the features of the major multivariate packages on the market, and more! However, participants are welcome to use an alternative software package if preferred. Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops with any other multivariate software packages installed.
Also, we strongly recommend that participants bring their own industrial data for use during the computer workshops. [Text format or spreadsheet files, eg: Excel, are preferred.]
Course content
Please see this page to view the detailed course content.
Your instructors
John MacGregor is the President of ProSensus and a professor in chemical engineering at McMaster University. He holds M.Sc. degrees in both chemical engineering and statistics, and a Ph.D. degree in statistics from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. MacGregor has worked as an engineering specialist at Monsanto, and a consultant in the areas of advanced process control, statistical process control, and polymer reaction engineering, to many companies in North America, Europe and beyond.
He has received many awards: he has been inducted as a member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering for his work in multivariate methods for process monitoring, analysis and optimization. The Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) awarded him a Century of Achievement Award, for his significant industrial and academic accomplishments. He was also the first person outside Scandinavia to be awarded the Herman Wold Gold Medal by the Swedish Chemometrics Society for his work in multivariate projections and analysis. He is a fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA), and recipient of the W.G. Hunter Award and the Shewhart Medal from the American Society for Quality (ASQ).
Other portions of the course will be given by ProSensus employees, who will also assist with the computer laboratories.
Course cost and materials
The cost per participant is US$1790 per person, which includes the price of all materials. A discount of $100 per person is given to companies that register two or more participants, i.e. two or more participants means $1690 per person.
Academic discounts are also available. Please contact ProSensus for further details.
The materials include all presentation slides (printed in colour and the electronic PDF version), all data sets used, and additional papers with more details on the multivariate methods.
Location and Accommodation
The course will be held in beautiful St. Petersburg Beach, Florida at the Dolphin Beach Resort. Special room rates have been arranged with the resort (standard room $139). To get these rates you must book 30 days in advance through their 1 800 237-8916 number and state that you are with the ProSensus course. Details and photos of the resort are available here.
