Math in Medicine
Mathematics 4600, Spring Semester, 2015
Time & Place:
T, Th 12:25pm - 1:45pm in LCB 215
Required computer lab: Friday 12:55 in LCB 115
Instructor:
Andrew Basinski, LCB 315, basinski@math.utah.edu
Webpage:
http://www.math.utah.edu/∼basinski
Office Hours:
TBA in LCB 315 or by appointment
Course:
The goals of this class are (i) to introduce students to a range of modern
mathematical tools (from dynamical systems, stochastic processes and partial
differential equations); (ii) to teach students the skill of building tractable
mathematical models of biological processes; (iii) to show how to combine
the mathematical knowledge, numerical simulations (in R) and biological
intuition to derive new insights into the functioning of living systems.
Mathematical topics will include introduction to linear algebra, complex
numbers, geometric dynamical systems, and partial differential equations
Biological topics will include modeling the heart and circulation, brain
rhythms, HIV, insulin-secreting cells, antibiotic resistance in bacteria, regulation of gene expression, and biological pattern formation
Texts:
You are not required to purchase any of the following:
Beuter et al., eds. Nonlinear Dynamics in Physiology and Medicine: Interdisciplinary Applied Mathematics; v.25. - on reserve at Marriott library
G. de Vries, T. Hillen, M. Lewis, J.Muller, and B. Schoenfisch, A Course in Mathematical Biology: Quantitative Modelling with Mathematical and Computational
Methods, SIAM, 2006 - on reserve at Marriott library
Hoppensteadt, Peskin. Modeling and simulation in medicine and the life sciences,
Springer, 2nd edition - on reserve at Mariott library
J.Keener and J. Sneyd. Mathematical Physiology I : Cellular Physiology, Vol. 1.
Springer-Verlag New York, 2008
J.Keener and J. Sneyd. Mathematical Physiology II : Systems Physiology, Vol. 2.
Springer-Verlag New York, 2008 - available online through Marriott library
Prerequisites:
Math 2250 or Math 2270-2280 sequence
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Tests:
We will have an in-class midterm, and a take-home final.
Homework:
Homework will be posted on the course website, and due at the beginning
of lab sessions. You will have one week to complete each assignment. Late
homework is not accepted.
Grading:
The midterm and final are each worth 30% of your grade. The homework is
worth 40%
A (93-100), A- (90-92), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C
(73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (63-66), D- (60-62), E (0-59).
Topics:
1. Introduction to mathematical models, review of ideas from calculus and ODEs
• Heart and circulation. Dynamics of the pulse. ∼ 1 week.
2. Dynamical systems: geometric analysis, phase planes. Introduction to bifurcation theory. Phase
oscillators, phase response curves. ∼ 5 weeks.
• Law of mass action, Hill’s function
• Gene activation model. Bistability and biological switches.
• Hodgkin-Huxley equations
• Pancreatic beta-cells
• Epidemics
• HIV modeling
3. Probability, random variables, Markov chains. ∼ 4 weeks.
• Natural selection
• Plasmids (antibiotic resistance in bacteria)
• Regulation of gene expression
4. Introduction to partial differential equations ∼ 2 weeks.
• Models for cancer-immune system interaction and for cancer-growth inhibitor interaction
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 (CDS), 162 Olpin
Union Building, 581- 5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and me to make arrangements for
accommodations. All information in this course can be made available in alternative format with
prior notification to CDS.
Student Responsibilities: All students are expected to maintain professional behavior in
the classroom setting, according to the Student Code, spelled out in the Student Handbook. You
have specific rights in the classroom as detailed in Article III of the Code. The Code also specifies proscribed conduct (Article XI) that involves cheating on tests, collusion, fraud, theft, etc.
Students should read the Code carefully and know you are responsible for the content. According to Faculty Rules and Regulations, it is the faculty responsibility to enforce responsible classroom behaviors, beginning with verbal warnings and progressing to dismissal from class and a
failing grade. Students have the right to appeal such action to the Student Behavior Committee.
http://regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-400.php
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