Purpose

Welcome to your first R module!

Throughout this course, you will complete six short modules designed to introduce you to R and RStudio and prepare you to use them to work with biological data.

You are not expected to know how to code yet!

The goal of Module 1 is simply to:

  • Install R and RStudio on your computer.
  • Understand the difference between R and RStudio.
  • Become familiar with the major parts of the RStudio window.
  • Run a simple command in R.
  • Recognize that errors are a normal part of working in R.
  • Successfully create output that shows you have R and RStudio working.

Step 1: Install R and RStudio

You will need to install both R and RStudio.

R is the programming language that actually performs calculations and analyses.
RStudio is the program we will use to interact with R.

Think of it this way:
R is the engine. RStudio is the dashboard.

Watch the appropriate video below and follow along to install both programs on your computer.

🎥 Video 1: Installing R and RStudio

If you have a Mac, watch this video:

How to Install R and RStudio on Mac | Install R and RStudio on macOS (2026)

If you have a PC, watch this video:

How to Install R and RStudio on Windows 11 (2026)

Do not move on until you can successfully open RStudio.

Step 2a: Take a Tour of RStudio

Now that you have RStudio installed, let’s look around!

Watch the video below. I will walk you through the major parts of RStudio, show you what they are used for, and have you try a few things yourself.

🎥 Video 2: Getting Oriented in RStudio

Watch the RStudio orientation video

Passcode: =w*G3jPu

As you follow along, pay particular attention to the:

  • Source/Editor
  • Console
  • Environment
  • Files
  • Plots
  • Packages
  • Help

You do not need to memorize everything! The goal is to begin recognizing what you are looking at and where you might find things later.

Step 2b: Errors Are Normal! So What Do We Do?

Errors are a normal part of working in R—even for experienced R users. An error does not mean that you broke R.

Reading: Helping Yourself

Go to the R Project’s help page and read over the “Helping yourself” section:

The R Project: Getting Help with R

As you read, think about what you can do when:

  • You do not understand an error message.
  • You are unsure how a function works.
  • You need to search for help or examples.
  • Your code does not do what you expected.

Step 3: Final Check

After watching both videos and following along in RStudio, answer the following questions in your own words.

  1. What is the difference between R and RStudio?
  2. Where in RStudio does R actually execute commands?
  3. If you create a graph in R, where in RStudio would you expect it to appear?
  4. What does a # indicate when it appears before text in R code?
  5. You enter a command and R gives you an error message. Does this mean you broke R? What does an error message tell you? Where can you look for solutions?

Step 4: Module 1 Completion Record

Finally, let’s make sure R and RStudio are working correctly on your computer.

Open RStudio and copy the following code exactly as shown, replacing YOUR FULL NAME with your first and last name:

student_name <- "YOUR FULL NAME"

paste(
  "Module 1 successfully completed by",
  student_name
)

Run the code.

If everything is working correctly, R should produce a message that looks something like:

[1] "Module 1 successfully completed by Jane Smith"

Take a Screenshot

Take one screenshot of your RStudio window that clearly shows:

  • RStudio open on your computer.
  • The code you entered.
  • The output containing your full name.

Upload this screenshot as part of your Blackboard submission.

What to Submit

Submit one Blackboard assignment containing:

  1. Your answers to the five Final Check questions.
  2. Your Module 1 Completion Record screenshot showing RStudio and your name in the output.

Module 1 Checklist

Before submitting, make sure you have: