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
General Math 119A Information
Current course offerings can be found HERE.
The specific calendar & policy for your Math 119A section should be made available to you by your instructor.
- 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.
Exam Information (Fall 2023)
Final Exam
See instructor or syllabus for more details regarding your final exam.
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Section 001 will take the Final Exam on Friday, December 8th, 2023 @ 3:30pm - 5:30pm
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Section 002 will take the Final Exam on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 @ 8:00am - 10:00am
