ECOL419

038444

This course will give an introduction to different modeling methods used in biology research, including differential equations, individual-based simulations, stochastic models, and others. Students will learn what questions can be answered and what the limitations of each of these methods are, and read scientific papers applying them. The primary goal of this class is to enable students to read theory papers (or papers containing some modeling) effectively and critically, including when the paper is challenging and includes unfamiliar mathematical techniques. Reading a paper effectively includes in particular understanding what the paper contributed to science, and whether this was convincingly achieved. Students will also learn basics of programming in Mathematica.

GRD - Regular Grades A, B, C, D, E

Undergraduate

MATH 129 or MATH 119 and ECOL 182R.

ECOL519