2006 Spring MATH 229-01
Bulletin Course Description Formulation and analysis of mathematical models in science and engineering. Emphasis on case studies; may include individual or team research projects. Instructor: Staff
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title MATHEMATICAL MODELING Department MATH Course Number 2006 Spring 229 Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Layton,Harold Permission required? N Course Homepage www.math.duke.edu/~layton/229
Prerequisites
Undergraduate background in ordinary and partial differential equations and physics, or permission of instructor.
Synopsis of course content
This course will emphasize applications of mathematics to biology and medicine. Early in the course the instructor will lecture and conduct discussion sessions, while students work on individual projects. Later, students will give presentations about their projects. Emphasis will be on model formulation, model analysis, biological relevance, and writing and speaking for interdisciplinary audiences.
Textbooks
No textbook will be required. However, The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition (Paperback) by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White, a concise and excellent guide to good writing, is strongly recommended.
Assignments
Episodic assingments may include readings, brief typewritten reports, and mathematical problems.
Exams
No exams.
Term Papers
Each student will be expected to write a substantial project paper having both biological and mathematical content. The project may range from a thorough treatment of extant research to original research involving modeling in biology and medicine. Each student will be expected to give brief presentations about progress and to give a talk about the project near the end of the term.
Grade to be based on
The course grade will be primarily based on a student's project and the assciated class presentations. Attendance, class participation, and the minor homework assignments (see above) will also be taken into account.
