2008 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 2008 Spring 229 Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Layton,Harold Prerequisites Course Homepage www.math.duke.edu/~layton/229
Synopsis of course content
This course will emphasize applications of mathematics to biology and medicine; however much of the course content will be generally relevant to modeling in science and engineering and to applied mathematics. Early in the course the instructor will lecture and conduct discussion sessions, while students work on individual projects. (The projects need not involve biology or medicine.) Later, students will give presentations about their projects. Emphasis will be on model formulation, model analysis, relevance to biology or to other areas of science or engineering, and writing and speaking for interdisciplinary audiences.
Textbooks
The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition (Paperback) by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White, a concise and excellent guide to good writing, will be required.
Assignments
Assignments will 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 scientific and mathematical content. The project may range from a thorough treatment of extant research to original research. 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 homework assignments will also be taken into account.
