- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- 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 |
|---|
| MAS3815 | 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 |
|---|
| MAS3815 | 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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
