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¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Catalog 2025-2026

Biomathematics (BMA)

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý560/µþ±õ°¿Ìý560ÌýÌýPopulation EcologyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Dynamics of natural populations. Current work, theories and problems dealing with population growth, fluctuation, limitation and patterns of dispersion, species interactions, community structure and ecological genetics. One semester of calculus and a junior/senior level ecology course are required.

Co-requisite: ³§°ÕÌý511

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý567ÌýÌýModeling of Biological SystemsÌýÌý(4 credit hours)ÌýÌý

An introduction to quantitative modeling in biology. Use of Forrester diagrams, probabilistic and deterministic description of dynamic processes, development of model equations, simulation methods and criteria for model evaluation. Examination of current literature dealing with application of models and simulation in biology. Individual and class modeling projects.

Prerequisite: ²Ñ´¡Ìý131

This course is offered alternate years

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý573/²Ñ´¡Ìý573ÌýÌýMathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes IÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Introduction to model development for physical and biological applications. Mathematical and statistical aspects of parameter estimation. Compartmental analysis and conservation laws, heat transfer, and population and disease models. Analytic and numerical solution techniques and experimental validation of models. Knowledge of high-level programming languages required.

Prerequisite: ²Ñ´¡Ìý341 and knowledge of high-level programming language.

Typically offered in Fall only

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý574/²Ñ´¡Ìý574ÌýÌýMathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes IIÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Model development, using Newtonian and Hamiltonian principles, for acoustic and fluid applications, and structural systems including membranes, rods, beams, and shells. Fundamental aspects of electromagnetic theory. Analytic and numerical solution techniques and experimental validation of models.

Prerequisite: MA/B²Ñ´¡Ìý573

Typically offered in Spring only

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý590ÌýÌýSpecial TopicsÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Special topics in BMA.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý591ÌýÌýSpecial TopicsÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Directed readings, problem sets, written and oral reports as dictated by need and interest of student, e.g., cellular, molecular and physiological modeling; new 500-level courses during the developmental phase.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý610ÌýÌýSpecial TopicsÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Directed readings, problem sets, written and oral reports as dictated by need and interest of student, e.g., cellular, molecular and physiological modeling; new 500-level courses during the developmental phase.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý685ÌýÌýMaster's Supervised TeachingÌýÌý(1-3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý690ÌýÌýMaster's ExaminationÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students in non thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý693ÌýÌýMaster's Supervised ResearchÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý695ÌýÌýMaster's Thesis ResearchÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý696ÌýÌýSummer Thesis ResearchÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý699ÌýÌýMaster's Thesis PreparationÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their theses.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Spring and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý771/²Ñ´¡Ìý771/³§°ÕÌý771ÌýÌýBiomathematics IÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Role of theory construction and model building in development of experimental science. Historical development of mathematical theories and models for growth of one-species populations (logistic and off-shoots), including considerations of age distributions (matrix models, Leslie and Lopez; continuous theory, renewal equation). Some of the more elementary theories on the growth of organisms (von Bertalanffy and others; allometric theories; cultures grown in a chemostat). Mathematical theories oftwo and more species systems (predator-prey, competition, symbosis; leading up to present-day research) and discussion of some similar models for chemical kinetics. Much emphasis on scrutiny of biological concepts as well as of mathematical structureof models in order to uncover both weak and strong points of models discussed. Mathematical treatment of differential equations in models stressing qualitative and graphical aspects, as well as certain aspects of discretization. Difference equation models.

Prerequisite: Advanced calculus, reasonable background in biology

Typically offered in Fall only

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý772/²Ñ´¡Ìý772/³§°ÕÌý772ÌýÌýBiomathematics II: Stochastic Models in BiologyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Theory of stochastic processes and its application to contemporary problems in biology. Discrete- and continuous-time Markov chains, branching processes, birth-and-death processes, diffusion approximations, and elementary stochastic differential equations. Survey of applications in areas such as population genetics, infectious disease dynamics, neurobiology, and community ecology.

Prerequisite: Elementary Probability Theory

Typically offered in Spring only

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý773/²Ñ´¡Ìý773/°¿¸éÌý773/³§°ÕÌý773ÌýÌýStochastic ModelingÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Survey of modeling approaches and analysis methods for data from continuous state random processes. Emphasis on differential and difference equations with noisy input. Doob-Meyer decomposition of process into its signal and noise components. Examples from biological and physical sciences, and engineering. Student project.

Prerequisite: B²Ñ´¡Ìý772 or ST (MA) 746

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate years

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý774/°¿¸éÌý774/²Ñ´¡Ìý774ÌýÌýPartial Differential Equation Modeling in BiologyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Modeling with and analysis of partial differential equations as applied to real problems in biology. Review of diffusion and conservation laws. Waves and pattern formation. Chemotaxis and other forms of cell and organism movement. Introduction to solid and fluid mechanics/dynamics. Introductory numerical methods. Scaling. Perturbations, Asymptotics, Cartesian, polar and spherical geometries. Case studies.

Typically offered in Spring only

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý790ÌýÌýSpecial TopicsÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý
µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý801ÌýÌýSeminarÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Graduate students in biomathematics are expected to attend through most of their residence period.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý815ÌýÌýAdvanced Special TopicsÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Directed readings, problem sets, written and oral reports as dictated by need and interest of student; new 600-level courses during the development phase (currently includes courses in stochastic modeling and biophysical theory).

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý885ÌýÌýDoctoral Supervised TeachingÌýÌý(1-3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý890ÌýÌýDoctoral Preliminary ExamÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý893ÌýÌýDoctoral Supervised ResearchÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý895ÌýÌýDoctoral Dissertation ResearchÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Dissertation research

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý896ÌýÌýSummer Dissertation ResearchÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Summer only

µþ²Ñ´¡Ìý899ÌýÌýDoctoral Dissertation PreparationÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students who have completed all credit hours, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination, and residency requirements for the doctoral degree, and are writing and defending their dissertations.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer