Module description
Syllabus
- Continuous population models for single species
- Discrete population models for single species
- Galton Watson processes for population dynamics
- Continuous population models for interacting species
- Modelling infectious disease transmission/spread using ODEs
- Reaction kinetics
- Introduction to DNA and modelling of molecular evolution
Prerequisites
Before taking this module you must have knowledge and experience of the topics covered in the syllabus for 4CCM131A/5CCM131B Introduction to Dynamical Systems, and 4CCM141A/5CCM141B Probability & Statistics I.
You cannot take this module with 7CCMCS05 Mathematical Biology
Assessment details
Written examination.
Educational aims & objectives
Mathematical biology is a very active and fast growing interdisciplinary area in which mathematical concepts, techniques, and models are applied to a variety of problems in developmental biology and biomedical sciences. Many biological processes can be quantitatively characterised by differential equations. This course introduces you to a variety of models mainly based on ordinary differential equations and techniques for analysing these models. Mathematical concepts on nonlinear dynamics and chaos will be introduced. Population models (predator-prey, competition), epidemic models and reaction enzyme kinetics will be discussed. Some probabilistic modelling of molecular evolution will also be introduced.
No previous knowledge of biology is necessary.
Teaching pattern
Three hours of lectures and one hour of tutorial per week throughout the term
Suggested reading list
Indicative reading list - link to Leganto system where you can search with module code for lists