MA256/BY356: Mathematical Models in Biology
Block 3, 2009 – 2010
Professor: David Brown
Office: TSC 206E
Office Phone: 227-8215
Email: dbrown@coloradocollege.edu
The class will meet M-F at 9:00 am in TSC 215.
My office hours are M-F 1:30 – 3:00 pm or by appointment.
The textbook is: Dynamic Models in Biology, by Ellner and Guckenheimer.
Course Overview
Mathematical biology is one of the fastest growing areas in science. Over the past
two decades, mathematical and computational advances have helped to address the
explosive growth of biological data and the need for more precise, quantitative
approaches to biological problems. Today the field is vast, using techniques from all
areas of mathematics, statistics, and computer science to attack problems from all areas
of biology. Some scientists believe that quantitative approaches will help biology to be
the dominant 21st century science, just as they allowed physics and chemistry to dominate
the 20th century.
This course will not cover the entire range of quantitative approaches to biology.
We will focus on dynamic models – difference or differential equations that describe the
changes in a few variables. We will focus on model building and evaluation, using both
analytical and computational methods. We will look at examples from cellular and
population biology, and read several research articles to get a feel for the roles that
models play in biology today. You should expect the course to be challenging, since we
will try to cover a lot of material and there will be lots of work to do outside of class.
Grading
Homework will be due several times each week. Unless otherwise stated, you
must turn in your own work; however, I encourage collaboration in solving the problems.
Some of the assignments are straightforward pencil-and-paper exercises; others will
require more extensive work on the computer. There will be two open book tests; I will
give more information about them as they get nearer.
You will work with a partner on a class project, in which you develop and analyze
a mathematical model of a biological system that interests you. You will present your
work to the class on the last day of the block. Class participation is very important – I
expect you to attend every class, ask questions, and participate in group work. We will
be discussing several articles, and it is important that you read them carefully and come
to class prepared to ask questions.
Your grade will be based on the following breakdown:
20% each test
25% homework
25% project
10% class participation