Mathematical Biology -- Fall 07 M375T

First Day Handout


  • Unique number: 60422
  • Meeting time and place: T-TH 11:00-12:30pm   RLM 6.104.
  • Web page: http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/gamba/S07/mathbio-m375.htlm
  • Professor: Irene M. Gamba, RLM 10.166, X1-7150
  • email: gamba@math.utexas.edu
  • Office hours:Thursdays 1:00 - 2:00 and by appointment.
  • discussion section: Mondays, 5:00 to 6:30pm -- RLM 6.118
    Teaching Assistant: Harsha Tharkabhushanam ; E-Mail: harsha@math.utexas.edu
  • Textbooks: Topics from 'Mathematical models in Biology' by Leah Edelstein-Keshet, SIAM classics in Applied Mathematics; and  
    'Mathematical Models in Biology, An Introduction', by Allman and Rhodes, Cambridge Press.
  • Syllabus: This course focus on an introductory approach to the interface of applied mathematics and modeling in biology. Connections are made between diverse biological examples linked by common mathematical links.
    There will be a great deal of mathematics, and students will be expected to grasp it conceptually, do relevant homework, and required course projects which involve mathematics and computer simulations.
    We will attempt to cover issues from most chapters of the textbooks, with some sections skipped.
    Use of Matlab or Mathematica will be required on some project assignments, even though you will not be expected to have previous experience with it


  • Topics: Population growth and interacting species (discrete and continuous) dynamics, stochastic vs deterministic models. Analysis and stability properties for the models. Organisms in time and space: epidemic and bio-transport models, advection-diffusion processes.


  • Prerequisites: it might be useful, but not required, to have M427K or one of (linear algebra courses) M311K or M340C or M341 or M346. 

  • Grading: There will one in-class midterm on Tuesday October 30th. There will be no final exam. Homework and midterm counts for about 30% each one, and projects for about 40% of your total grade.
  • Homework: There will be bi-weekly problem sets, due in class; and two or three required projects involving Matlab

  • Last project due date: Friday December 7th .


  • Disabilities: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY


    • Homework # 1: (due September 11)
    From Edelstein-Keshet book:    
    Chapter 1, Page 29: 1; 2(b),2(d), 2(e); 3 (a), 3(b) i-iii; 4; 5; 6; 7(a), 7(c); 8; 9(a); 9(b); 12; 13; 14; 15; 17; 18.