MATH 383 - Seminar

Credits: 3 in fall and winter, 4 in spring
Planned Offering: Offered when interest is expressed and department resources permit.

Readings and conferences for a student or students on topics agreed upon with the directing staff. May be repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics are different.

Topic for Winter 2012:

MATH 383-01: Introduction to Mathematical Biology: Population Dynamics, Reaction Kinetics, Physiology and Neuroscience (3). Prerequisite: MATH 102. Recommended: BIOL 111. In this course, we use continuous dynamical systems in order to model a spectrum of biological problems in areas to include: population dynamics; chemical reaction kinetics; physiology; and neuroscience. A primer is given on differential equations and numerical simulation. We then utilize ordinary differential equations to model dynamics that arise in these biological areas so as to tease out the mechanisms underlying the phenomena and use the models to aid in making experimental predictions. The course introduces ideas from perturbation methods and bifurcation theory; and, if time allows, includes discussion of discrete processes and spatial modeling (partial differential equations). Oster. Note: Note: Seminar and research offerings are contingent upon the demonstrated need and aptitude of the student for independent work in mathematics and upon the availability of departmental resources.

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