MATH 1170-002/003
CALCULUS FOR BIOLOGISTS I
FALL 2010
General
( Information
Section 002: Tuesday 9:40-10:30am
Time
Section 003: Tuesday 10:45-11:35am
Location: LCB 115
Office hours: to be determined
Lab Instructor: Erica Graham
Email: graham@math.utah.edu
Lab webpage: http://www.math.utah.edu/~graham/Math1170.html
Motivation
Purpose. The goal for the laboratory component of the class is to provide visualizations of mathematical
concepts with biological applications. You will not be expected to morph into computer programmers. This
is meant as an introduction to the world of scientific computing as a tool for studying mathematics, which
itself can be a tool for exploring many biological questions.
Software. We use Maple for this course because it is a great program for symbolic manipulation in algebra and
calculus. We can solve important algebraic equations and calculate derivatives and integrals. We introduce
the basics of Maple to allow you to explore material relevant to your lectures in MATH 1170.
After this course is over you may not use Maple regularly, if ever, but you will “program” in the course of
your work or research. The majority of your time spent with computers will likely be statistical computing
and data analysis. You can get by for a bit using spreadsheet software, but you will frequently need to resort
to more advanced programs - SAS, R, S, S+. These all require significant programming to execute statistical
procedures and tests. While the syntax and commands will be much different from those we use here, the
experience of communicating biological ideas to a computer now will surely benefit you later.
Lab Specifics
Sections. There are two sections for the lab component, listed above. Please arrive on time to the section
for which you are registered, and be sure to turn in assignments (see below) that are clearly marked with
your section number.
Content. Necessary commands will usually be provided via examples, and it is your task to apply these
commands to explore new problems. Lab files (.mw and .pdf) will be updated each week on the course
computer lab website (listed above) as the semester progresses.
Assignments. Lab exercises will be assigned each week, in addition to the homework you will receive from
the main lectures. Please submit a report summarizing your discoveries from each lab exercise by the start
of the following Tuesday’s lab. Your report may be submitted to me in person or via email. Late lab reports
will not be accepted. Specific directions for the assignments are outlined in the first lab. Group/pair work
is encouraged. However, each of you must prepare your own write-up, which should reflect your own ideas
and interpretations of the assignment.
ADA statement. The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities
for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to
be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with
you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations.
Accomodations policy. The instructor does not grant content accommodation requests as the course content
fulfills legitimate pedagogical goals.
Introduction to Math Computing
Logging in to your math account
1. On the blue welcome screen, make sure the Java desktop is selected. To do this, click and hold the
options button, and select session → Java Desktop System, Release #. Do not release the
mouse button until you’ve highlighted the Java... option. Java Desktop System, Release #
should now appear beneath the user name field.
Note: The default session option is User’s Last Desktop, so you should only have to do this
step this one time.
2. Enter your user name in the appropriate field, and press OK.
3. The welcome box should now say Welcome username. Enter your password. (The field will appear
to remain empty.) Press OK.
Opening Maple
1. In your Java desktop, open a new Terminal window.
To do this, click the Launch button on the bottom left corner of the screen.
Applications → Utilities → Terminal.
or
Right-click on an empty space on your desktop, and select Open Terminal.
Then go to
2. At the prompt, type xmaple. The current version of Maple (Maple 12 right now) should open on
your screen.
Printing
To print from Maple, go to File → Print. The print service should be set to lcb115 if you are
printing during a lab session. To print in color, select Color on the Appearance tab.
Useful Tips, etc.
• Memorize your login name and password. We can begin class more smoothly and efficiently this way.
• When you open a worksheet, you must start at the top and execute lines of code. Saved output (blue)
is not recognized nor remembered by Maple when you open a worksheet, even though it appears on
the screen.
• Be sure to read through the examples. Examples frequently contain most of the code necessary to
explore the homework exercises in a closely related series of examples.
• Read the handout as you are working in Maple. In some cases you will need to execute code a few
times and compare results of these experiments in your write-up. Save your work after finishing a
question.
• Keep in mind that the lab session is an opportunity to make progress on the current week’s lab
assignment. Productivity here will reduce the amount of outside work you will have to do for this
section.
• The Mathematics Computer Lab is located in the T. Benny Rushing Mathematics Center, room 155C
(http://www.math.utah.edu/ugrad/lab.html). It is open to you outside of our scheduled section
and office hour times. The staff may or may not be comfortable assisting you on assignments, but
at least you will have access to your files and a place to work. (Note: to print from the math center
computer lab, set the print service to mc155c.)
• Feel free to email me if you run into computing issues outside of our regularly scheduled times.