SEBOT Courses 2026/27
Take part in our courses or seminars
For the fourth year running, we at SEBOT have drawn up a course programme in response to the requests and proposals we have received. In consultation with the lecturers, we are publicising the topics, content and timetables so that you are informed of the courses well in advance.
Registration will open in the weeks leading up to each course; this will be announced well in advance and will be accompanied by detailed programmes.
In order for those interested to be successfully enrolled on each course, a fee will be required to reserve a place, equivalent to 10% of the final cost.
We hope that this year’s programme will be of interest to everyone.
If you have any other queries, you can use our contact email address.
Botanical nomenclature and its application
Instructor: Pedro Jiménez Mejías (UPO)
Summary: This course provides an introduction to botanical nomenclature through an understanding of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi and Plants (ICN) and its practical application. The course will review the principles underpinning the modern nomenclatural system, the operation of priority and typification, as well as the main nomenclatural acts. Particular attention will be paid to complex situations such as the names of infrageneric taxa, nomenclatural combination and synonymy. Ethical issues relating to the use and publication of scientific names will also be addressed.
Format: online
Dates and duration: 15–17 December 2026 (10 am)
HybSeq Sequencing Data Analysis (2nd ed.)
Female instructors: Tamara Villaverde & Irene Villa (URJC)
Summary: This course is designed to provide the computational skills required to process HybSeq sequencing data independently and efficiently, from the raw reads obtained from platforms through to the generation of high-quality datasets. Participants will gain practical experience in bioinformatic data processing: mining genomic data from their own sources or from NGS databases, quality control, DNA read assembly, critical evaluation of results and preparation of gene matrices.
Format: face-to-face (Madrid)
Dates and duration: 20–21 January 2027 (2.00 pm)
An Introduction to the Study of Macroevolution through Phylogeny (5th ed.)
Instructor: Marcial Escudero Lirio (US)
Summary: This course will introduce participants to comparative phylogenetic models. Students will learn how to extract information on phylogenetic relationships from phylogenies in order to reconstruct traits (both continuous and discrete) and calculate the phylogenetic signal, as well as to infer biogeographical patterns. It will also focus on the co-evolution or dependent evolution of continuous and discrete traits, and on rates of diversification. Furthermore, two areas of great interest will be covered: the phylogenetic analysis of communities and phylloflora, and chromosomal evolution.
Format: online
Dates and duration: 15–25 February 2027 (42 hours)
Identification of Ferns and Lichenophytes (7th ed.)
Instructors: Sonia Molino (UAM), Mario Mairal & Guillermo Santos (UCM)
Summary: A course that is being revived at SEBOT after several years of being offered. It covers the identification of Iberian pteridophyte taxa using herbarium specimens, as well as some key aspects of the biology, morphoanatomy, biogeography and uses of these organisms. Traditionally, the course has also included seminars on the gametophytic phase, ethnopteridology, the paleotropical pteridological element in the Iberian Peninsula and the Macaronesian archipelagos, and the Carboniferous fossil record.
Format: face-to-face (Madrid)
Dates and duration: 8–12* March 2027 (8.00 pm)
*Provisional dates, subject to confirmation
Geographic Information Systems with QGIS
Instructor: Alejandro González Fernández (European Commission)
Summary: This course on Geographic Information Systems is based on the free QGIS software and is designed to equip participants with the skills required to manage geographical data relevant to organisations. The course will cover tools for managing, visualising and analysing spatial data applied to real-world case studies, including mapping and monitoring species distribution, integrating field data with spatial data, analysing land-use changes, and visualising and publishing maps, amongst other topics. We will work with species mapping, digital elevation models, satellite imagery and geospatial analysis, progressing from field data to comprehensive analyses of species distribution.
Format: asynchronous
Dates and duration: Second half of May 2027 (30 hours)
SEBOT Courses 2025/26
Courses online
Visualising environmental data in R
Teachers: Alejandro González, UE & Julia Chacón, URJC
Dates: November–December 2025.
Comparative phylogenetic models 4th edition
Teacher: Marcial Escudero, US
Dates: February 2026 (first fortnight).
Ecological modelling 3rd edition
Teacher: Rubén G. Mateo, UAM
Dates: March 2026 (first fortnight).
Advanced statistics
Teachers: Alejandro González, UE & Julia Chacón, URJC)
Dates: June 2026
CANCELLED
Botanical nomenclature and its application
Teacher: Pedro Jiménez, UPO
Dates: September 2026
CANCELLED
Face-to-face courses
HYBSEQ sequencing data analysis
Teachers: Tamara Villaverde, URJC & Irene Villa, RJB
Dates: January 2026 (second half of the month)
Workshop: “How to write introductions and discussions: overcoming writer’s block”
Teacher: Marcos Méndez, URJC
Dates: May 2026