Mathematical Models in Ecology and Evolution
Organisers/teachers
Prof. Dr. Ido Pen (Theoretical Biology, RUG)
Prof. Dr. Martijn Egas (Theoretical Biology, RUG)
Aim of the course
The aims of the course are to teach why mathematics is so useful in ecology and evolution, to acquire the ability to read and interpret equations, and to master the art of constructing and analyzing new models.
At the end of the course, the student is able to:
1. translate between verbal or written descriptions of biological systems and the corresponding mathematical models of the biological systems.
2. critically assess the simplifying assumptions implicit in mathematical models of biological systems.
3. analyze the dynamical and stability properties of mathematical models of biological systems, using a combination of pencil and paper and computer modelling software.
4. translate mathematical properties of models into relevant biological conclusions and how the conclusions are affected by specific model assumptions.
Contents & Structure
Mathematical models have become an indispensable tool in ecology and evolutionary biology, to the point that aspiring scientists in these fields must have a working knowledge of basic mathematical modeling techniques. This course teaches such techniques practically from scratch, without requiring much background knowledge except elementary high school algebra and a little calculus. If successful, it will allow the students to understand papers that contain models, to develop new models to explore their own ideas, and to generate and use models for analysis and interpretation of data. Students are required to study one book chapter per week and to do several exercises for hands-on experience. Some exercises are of the pencil-and-paper variety, but others require the help of computer-aided mathematical tools such as Maple, Mathematica and/or R, which the student will learn how to use during the course. One afternoon per week, participants meet with a teacher for demonstration and discussion.
General Information
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Required knowledge & preparation
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Students are each week required to study a chapter of the book by Otto & Day.
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Course material
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Otto, S. & Day, T. (2007). A Biologist’s Guide to Mathematical Modelling in Ecology and Evolution. Princeton University Press. ISBN13: 978-0-691-12344-8. (€ 45,-)
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Course credits
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6 ECTS
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Location
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Discussions will be held online initially, possibly also at Zernike Campus, Groningen.
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Duration & date
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The course will run from 18-03-2024 till 30-06-2024. There will be a discussion meeting once a week; otherwise self-study.
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Costs
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PhD level students will be charged a course fee of
€ 275,- to cover teaching costs. You will receive an invoice for this fee after your registration has been approved. |
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Participants
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The number of participants is limited to 20.
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Information
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Ido Pen, Linnaeusborg, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, email: i.r.pen@rug.nl and/or Martijn Egas Linnaeusborg, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, email: martijn.egas rug.nl
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Registration
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Master students: please register through the Ocasys portal. PhD students: before registering for this course, students are asked to contact the course teachers, Ido Pen and/or Martijn Egas first, with a cc to Corine Eising to determine if they are eligible for the course. Please take note of our general course information on payment, registration and cancellation, applicable to all registrations.
Note: there is no registration form available for this course. PhD level students wishing to participate in this course should contact the course teachers, Ido Pen and/or Martijn Egas first, with a cc to Corine Eising.
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| Last modified: | 07 March 2024 3.42 p.m. |