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MA256 Introduction to Mathematical Biology

Lecturer: Magnus Richardson

Term(s): Term 1

Status for Mathematics students: List A

Commitment: 30 one hour lectures

Assessment: 100% by 2 hour examination

Formal registration prerequisites: None

Assumed knowledge: Students should have a good knowledge of differential equations and matrix-vector manipulation. Some knowledge of stochastic modelling would be a plus. The following modules will provide a good background to this module:

Useful background: A good understanding of mathematical models of biological systems will help students to follow the material in this course. The book listed below by Murray "Mathematical Biology, An Introduction" provides a guide to modelling biological systems with differential equations.

Synergies: The following year 2 modules will go well with this module:

Leads to: The following modules have this module listed as assumed knowledge or useful background:

Course content:

Following a general introduction to mathematical modelling for biology, the module will cover topics from the sub-cellular level to interacting populations. Subjects included are: enzyme dynamics, gene expression, electrophysiology, excitable cells, cellular communication, tissue-level and models of whole-body physiology, population dynamics, interacting populations and epidemiology.

Aims:

Introduction to the fundamentals of Mathematical Biology.

Objectives:

  • To develop simple models of biological phenomena from basic principles
  • To analyse simple models of biological phenomena using mathematics to deduce biologically significant results
  • To reproduce models and fundamental results for a range of biological systems
  • To have a basic understanding of the biology of the biological systems introduced

Books:

H. Van den Berg, Mathematical Models of Biological Systems, Oxford Biology, 2011
James D. Murray, Mathematical Biology: I. An Introduction. Springer 2007
Keeling, M.J. and Rohani, P. Modeling Infectious Diseases in Humans and Animals, Princeton University Press, 2007
Anderson, R. and May, R. Infectious Diseases of Humans, Oxford University Press, 1992

Outline syllabus for publication

Following a general introduction to mathematical modelling for biology, the module will cover topics from the sub-cellular level to interacting populations. Subjects included are: enzyme dynamics, gene expression, electrophysiology, excitable cells, cellular communication, tissue-level and models of whole-body physiology, population dynamics, interacting populations and epidemiology.

 Reading list



Additional Resources