Course Objectives
Students will learn how to interpret and develop calculus-based models of biological systems that describe how quantities change in realistic and relevant settings drawn from physiology, neuroscience, ecology and evolution. They will also learn the rudiments of a programming language (SageMath/Python) sufficient to graph functions, plot data and simulate systems of differential equations.
Students who successfully complete this course are expected to be able to:
- Create dynamical models of verbally described biological systems
- Quantify and interpret changes in dynamical systems using software
- Explain homeostasis in terms of positive and negative feedback
- Classify equilibria in one- and two-dimensional systems and use that information to interpret long term biological behaviors of modeled systems
Course Description
Math 119A is a course using real examples developing and studying models of biological dynamical systems using concepts from calculus. Students taking this course will learn how to interpret and develop calculus-based models of biological systems that describe how quantities change in realistic and relevant settings drawn from physiology, neuroscience, ecology and evolution. They will also learn the rudiments of a programming language sufficient to graph functions, plot data and simulate systems of differential equations.
This course is intended for students in the biological sciences or those interested in pursuing a career in medicine and does not require any prior knowledge of calculus or of programming.
- Majors that allow student to take Math 119A to complete the foundation math requirement include Biology, Physiology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular and Cellular biology, Psychological Sciences, Natural Resources, and a few other majors. Please consult your advisor before enrolling in Math 119A.
- Math 119A is not a prerequisite to Math 129, Calculus II.
General Math 119A Information
The specific calendar & policy for your Math 119A section should be made available to you by your instructor.
The general policies and calendar can be found below.
THINK TANK (free tutoring for UA students)
- Textbook:
- Modeling Life: The Mathematics of Biological Systems by Garfinkel, Shevtsov and Guo, Springer 2017
- ISBN 978-3-319-59731-7 (e-book), or ISBN 978-3-319-59730-0 (Hardcover).
- The e-book is available to University of Arizona students through the library at no cost, and a softcover edition can be purchased through this link for $25: click Modeling Life: The Mathematics of Biological Systems to download—you will have to log in to your UAccess account.
- Modeling Life: The Mathematics of Biological Systems by Garfinkel, Shevtsov and Guo, Springer 2017
- Software:
- Cocalc/Sagemath. (Details regarding access will be posted on D2L; cost $14/semester)
- Enrollment Requirements/Eligibility:
- Students must meet eligibility requirements.
- See the Math Course Placement Chart HERE.
