United States
£ GBP
This is the only book that teaches all aspects of modern mathematical modeling and that is specifically designed to introduce undergraduate students to problem solving in the context of biology. Included is an integrated package of theoretical modeling and analysis tools, computational modeling techniques, and parameter estimation and model validation methods, with a focus on integrating analytical and computational tools in the modeling of biological processes. Divided into three parts, it covers basic analytical modeling techniques; introduces computational tools used in the modeling of biological problems; and includes various problems from epidemiology, ecology, and physiology. All chapters include realistic biological examples, including many exercises related to biological questions. In addition, 25 open-ended research projects are provided, suitable for students. An accompanying Web site contains solutions and a tutorial for the implementation of the computational modeling techniques. Calculations can be done in modern computing languages such as Maple, Mathematica, and MATLAB.
Preface
Part I. Theoretical Modeling Tools:
1. Introduction
2. Discrete-time models
3. Ordinary differential equations
4. Partial differential equations
5. Stochastic models
6. Cellular automata and related models
7. Estimating parameters
Part II. Self-guided Computer Tutorial:
8. Maple course
Part III. Projects:
9. Project descriptions
10. Solved projects
Appendix
Bibliography
Author index
Index
"There really is not a book that is directly comparable. Students will be able to study any area of biology with a mathematical perspective. The projects and the introduction to computation are a real bonus."
– Fred Brauer, University of British Columbia
"One can warmly recommend this book to any undergraduate students in life science or mathematics who want to be introduced to the fascinating field of biomathematics."
– J.-P. Gabriel, Departement de Mathematiques de l'universite, Fribourg
