Math 425: Mathematical Biology
Math 425
Title
Mathematical Biology.
(Credit Hours: Lecture Hours: Lab Hours)
(3:3:0)
Prerequisite
112
Description
How tools in mathematics can help biologists. How questions in biology can motivate new mathematics.
Desired Learning Outcomes
Students should gain a familiarity with how the disciplines of mathematics and biology can complement each other.
Prerequisites
A knowledge of calculus (and the mathematical maturity that having passed M112 entails) shoud suffice.
Minimal learning outcomes
Students should be familiar with the following discrete and continuous models of biological
phenomena. They should know the technical terms, and be able to implement the procedures taught in the course to solve problems based on these models.
Basic notions concerning: Subcellular molecular systems. Cellular behavior. Physiological
problems. Population biology. Developmental biology. Mathematical techniques of phase
plane analysis, bifurcation theory, scientific computation, difference equations,
and stochastic processes.
Topics that will be covered within this program include
Signal transduction:
Menten Michaelis enzyme dynamics
Law of mass action
Dynamical systems
Bifurcation
Example systems:
Fitzhugh-Nagumo
Nerve and heart dynamics
Cell cycle model
cAMP
Population models:
Continuous predator-prey
Age structured models
Discrete dynamical systems
Time delayed differential equations
Stochastic models.
Additional Topics
These are at the discretion of the instructor as time allows.
Courses for which this course is prerequisite
None.
Discrete and continuous models of biological phenomena will be introduced including subcellular molecular systems, cellular behaviour, physiological problems