Dynamical Models for Biology and Medicine

3 Units

Introduction to discrete and continuous dynamical models with applications to biology and medicine. Topics include: population dynamics and ecology; models of infectious diseases; population genetics and evolution; biological motion (reaction-diffusion and chemotaxis); Molecular and cellular biology (biochemical kinetics, metabolic pathways, immunology). The course will introduce students to the basic mathematical concepts and techniques of dynamical systems theory (equilibria, stability, bifurcations, discrete and continuous dynamics, diffusion and wave propagation, elements of system theory and control). Mathematical exposition is supplemented with introduction to computer tools and techniques (Mathematica, Matlab). Prereq: MATH 224 or MATH 228 or BIOL 300 or EBME 300 , and MATH 201 .