Modeling Populations Diseases

4 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Population biology is a quantitative science dealing with changes in the size and composition of populations, and population biologists often use mathematical models to infer population dynamics. These models use information about the properties of individuals and basic assumptions about their interactions to predict population size, gene frequency, and optimal behavioral strategies of individuals, forming an important conceptual framework. Junior and Seniors only. This course shows what kinds of insight mathematical techniques can give to about biological populations of individuals, communities, and cells. My expectation is that all of you have had a good foundation in biology and some mathematics, but you won't be expected to remember every detail. You will see a good deal of mathematics and biology in this course, and we won't be assuming a great deal of prior knowledge. However, you will be expected to grasp new knowledge conceptually and demonstrate knowledge through in-class computer lab exercises, homework assignments and projects.