Mathematical Models in Biosciences

If you are concerned with the exponential human population growth, scopes of the AIDS and
diabetes epidemic, the alarming rate of species extinction and ultimately hopes for the future, you
may find mathematical help in this course. The main objective of this course is to construct and study
plausible mathematical models (difference and differential equation models) addressing current issues
in biosciences.  Computer simulation methods and programs will be introduced and emphasized.

Instructor:  Prof.  Yang KUANG     E-mail: kuang@asu.edu .
Course Home page: http://math.asu.edu/~kuang/class/494MB.html
Section: #80232/80277, PSA 309, 3:15pm-4:30pm, T, Th   
Office: PSA 429,   Phone: 965-6915     Office hours: 1:40pm-2:30pm, T, W, Th,  and by appointment.
PREREQUISITES: Basic calculus and linear algebra

TEXTBOOK: MATHEMATICAL MODELS IN BIOLOGY  by  Leah Edelstein.
          SIAM Classics in Applied Mathematics 46  2004 | 586 pages | Softcover  $50.
          SIAM Member Price $35.    http://ec-securehost.com/SIAM/CL46.html
          The aim of this book is to present instances of interaction between two major disciplines,
          biology and mathematics. The goal has been that of addressing a wide audience. Biology
          students will find this text useful as a summary of  mathematical methods  used in
          modeling, and applied mathematics students may benefit from examples of applications
          of mathematics to real life problems. Undergraduate students, beginning graduate students,
          will find most of the material accessible and engaging.

References:
1: Mathematical Models in Population Biology and Epidemiology (Hardcover)
    by Fred Brauer, Carlos Castillo-Chavez.  $59.82 at Amazon & ships for FREE. Details  
2. Alexei Sharov, Quantitative Population Ecology on-line lecture course at Virginia Tech.    
3: David B. McDonald, (updated 2006) http://www.uwyo.edu/dbmcd/popecol/    

THE APPROXIMATE GRADING SCALE WILL BE:
A=85%-100%     B=70%-85%     C=60%-70%     D=45%-60%     E=less than 45%

Except in the case of a documentable emergency,  late assignments will not be accepted.

If I cannot be reached, contact me by E-mail, or, a message can be left with the Mathematics Office
(PSA 216, or phone 965-3951).

This course will cover most chapters of the first two parts of the textbook.
The final exam will be given in class (PSA 309) on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2:40pm-4:30pm.