Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
Module Leader(s): Dr Graeme Sarson
Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value:
10
ECTS Credits:
5.0
Aims
Mathematical Biology is an important application of mathematics to biology. Students are introduced to the concepts and techniques involved in developing mathematical models of biological systems. Students will learn how to analyse the resulting models and interpret their results in the context of the biological questions being asked. In particular, topics considered include population dynamics, delay effects, and inter-species interactions. Students will consider questions of stability in detail, both analytically and computationally.
Outline Of Syllabus
Continuous population models and their study via differential equations and delay differential equations (DDEs), including linear stability analysis. Discrete population models and their study via difference equations and delay difference equations, including linear stability analysis. Stochastic birth and death models, and moment generating functions. Predator-prey interactions and other inter-species interactions, and ecological networks. Computational applications.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category
Activity
Number
Length
Student Hours
Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities
Lecture
20
1:00
20:00
Formal Lectures – Present in Person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities
Lecture
2
1:00
2:00
Revision Lectures – Present in Person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities
Lecture
5
1:00
5:00
Problem Classes – Synchronous On-Line
Guided Independent Study
Assessment preparation and completion
15
1:00
15:00
Completion of in course assessments
Guided Independent Study
Independent study
58
1:00
58:00
Preparation time for lectures, background reading, coursework review
Total
100:00
Jointly Taught With
Code
Title
MAS8815
Mathematical Biology
PHY3048
Mathematical Biology
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Problem Classes are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
Description
Length
Semester
When Set
Percentage
Comment
Written Examination
120
2
A
80
N/A
Exam Pairings
Module Code
Module Title
Semester
Comment
MAS8815
Mathematical Biology
2
N/A
PHY3048
Mathematical Biology
2
N/A
Other Assessment
Description
Semester
When Set
Percentage
Comment
Prob solv exercises
2
M
10
Coursework assignment
Prob solv exercises
2
M
10
Coursework assignment
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The coursework assignments allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.
In the event of on-campus examinations not being possible, an on-line alternative assessment will be used for written examination 1.