Description: This course introduces students to the use of mathematics to study biological phenomena. Click on the About link for more information.
Learning goals: By the end of this course, students should be able to:
Course instructor: Clay Cressler (Email: [email protected], Phone: 533-2404, Office: 207 Jeffrey Hall)
Lectures: Tuesday 9:30-10:30 (128 Jeffrey Hall),
Thursday 8:30-9:30 (126 Jeffrey Hall),
Friday 10:30-11:30 (in 126 Jeffrey Hall)
Office Hours: Monday 3:00-4:00pm, Tuesday 11:00-12:00 (in 201 Jeffrey Hall)
Course text: A Biologist's Guide to Mathematical Modeling in Ecology and Evolution, by Sara Otto and Troy Day
Assessment: There are two possible marking schemes for this course. If you choose to have the final exam (which all students must take) count towards your mark, your course grade will be determined by weekly assignments (30%), a group project (40%), and a cumulative final exam (30%). If you decline to have the final exam count, your course grade will be weighted as 50% assignments and 50% project. The purpose of this grading scheme is to encourage all students to study and prepare for the final without the stress of trying to "cram." I am convinced this leads to better learning outcomes for everyone.
Final exam: The date and time of the final exam will be set by the registrar and updated here as soon as that information becomes available.
Course syllabus as a pdf: Click here.
Learning goals: By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- describe the biological processes represented in a mathematical model and identify the key biological assumptions being made by the modeller;
- translate a biological description of a system into an appropriate mathematical model;
- analyze the dynamics of both graphically (e.g., phase plane analysis) and numerically (e.g., through simulation);
- calculate the stability of equilibria in both discrete and continuous time, for both univariate and multivariate models.
Course instructor: Clay Cressler (Email: [email protected], Phone: 533-2404, Office: 207 Jeffrey Hall)
Lectures: Tuesday 9:30-10:30 (128 Jeffrey Hall),
Thursday 8:30-9:30 (126 Jeffrey Hall),
Friday 10:30-11:30 (in 126 Jeffrey Hall)
Office Hours: Monday 3:00-4:00pm, Tuesday 11:00-12:00 (in 201 Jeffrey Hall)
Course text: A Biologist's Guide to Mathematical Modeling in Ecology and Evolution, by Sara Otto and Troy Day
Assessment: There are two possible marking schemes for this course. If you choose to have the final exam (which all students must take) count towards your mark, your course grade will be determined by weekly assignments (30%), a group project (40%), and a cumulative final exam (30%). If you decline to have the final exam count, your course grade will be weighted as 50% assignments and 50% project. The purpose of this grading scheme is to encourage all students to study and prepare for the final without the stress of trying to "cram." I am convinced this leads to better learning outcomes for everyone.
Final exam: The date and time of the final exam will be set by the registrar and updated here as soon as that information becomes available.
Course syllabus as a pdf: Click here.