| CODE | MAT3750 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Essential Mathematical Biology | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Mathematics | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Mathematical Biology is the application of mathematical methods to problems arising in biology and life sciences. Mathematics has long been recognized as a powerful and convenient tool for elucidating biological and ecological processes. Great advances that have been made during the recent decades in understanding the principles of living matter organization at different levels, ranging from genes and cells to communities and ecosystems, would hardly have ever been possible without extensive use of mathematical modelling. New and exciting challenges in the life sciences are now being met using mathematical modelling, which is having a direct impact on health, social and ecological aspects of modern life. The study-unit will cover: - Single species population dynamics - Population dynamics of interacting species - Infectious diseases - Population genetics and evolution - Molecular and cellular biology Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to provide a thorough introduction to modern approaches in Mathematical Biology. The unit covers standard topics normally included in a first course on Mathematical Biology: population biology including epidemiology, mathematical ecology of one or two species, population genetics and evolution, and systems biology. Students will use mathematical techniques (linear algebra, vector calculus, difference equations and ordinary differential equations) to answer problems that arise in Biology. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of mathematical models for population dynamics, ecology of one or two species, infectious diseases, population genetics and evolution, molecular and cell biology. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Use ODE models to discuss questions in population dynamics, epidemiology and ecology of one or two species. - Apply quantitative and qualitative techniques to analyse population genetics and evolution. - Analyse dynamical systems that describe networks of biochemical reactions. - Use other mathematical techniques (linear algebra and vector calculus) to answer problems that arise in Biology. - Demonstrate enhanced transferable/professional skills such as problem solving, self-management and learning. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - N. F. Britton: Essential Mathematical Biology (Springer undergraduate mathematics series), Springer-Verlag London Limited, 2003. - D. S. Jones and B. D. Sleeman: Differential Equations and Mathematical Biology (Chapman & Hall/CRC mathematical biology and medicine series), Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2003. - R. S. Robeva (ed.): Algebraic and Discrete Mathematical Methods for Modern Biology, Elsevier Inc., 2015. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Follows from: MAT3711 Leads to: MAT3755 |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Cristiana Sebu |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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