COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT MATH 405 Section # 55456 SPRING 1996 MODELS IN BIOLOGY Instructor: Lou Gross, Professor of Mathematics and Ecology Time: 9:05 - 9:55 Monday, Wednesday and Friday Place: Ayres Hall (Room TBA) This course will provide an overview of mathematical modeling in the biological sciences. The aim is to show how mathematical and analytical tools may be used to explore and explain a wide variety of biological phenomena that are not easily understood with verbal reasoning alone. We will begin by discussing the various purposes for which one might construct a mathematical model, and proceed with a description of the modeling process. This will be followed by an introduction to several mathematical areas which have been found to be extremely useful in biological modeling, in particular difference equations, and ordinary and partial differential equations. Applications of these mathematical techniques will be illustrated in a host of biological fields including molecular, cellular, physiological, ecological, genetical, and agricultural ones. The course is oriented towards biological sciences students who may not have a strong mathematical background. Prerequisites are a year of calculus (e.g. Math 141-142, 151-152, or the equivalent) as well as some exposure to biology at the 300-level. The course is available for graduate credit, and one of the course objectives is to provide enough insight into biological modeling that participants without a strong math background will be able to read with understanding theoretical papers appearing in the current literature in their respective biological fields of study. Note: this course does not satisfy math requirements for either undergraduate or graduate students majoring in mathematics. If such a student desires to learn about biological modeling, he or she should contact the instructor about a special reading course in conjunction with this one. The text for the course is: Mathematical Models in Biology by Leah Edelstein-Keshet. Participants will be expected to regularly work problems from this text and in addition will work on a individual project in a biological area of particular interest to themselves. Any questions about the course should be directed to the instructor in Ayres 208, phone 974-4295 or e-mail to gross@math.utk.edu.