Theoretical Biology

6 EC

Semester 1, periode 3

5042THBI6Y

Eigenaar Bachelor Biologie
Coördinator Maarten Boerlijst
Onderdeel van Bachelor Biologie, jaar 3Bachelor Bèta-gamma, major Biologie, jaar 3

Studiewijzer 2015/2016

Globale inhoud

Mathematical models are increasingly used in the analysis of biological systems. Biological systems often consist of many components, where the interactions between the often relatively simple parts can generate complex dynamics at the system level. Ecosystem dynamics are an example of such a complex system that consists of a network of relatively simple species interactions.

The course is aimed at giving a general introduction to dynamical systems, mathematical model formulation, and model analysis. The course is open to students from all (biological) disciplines, but has a focus on ecology. The following topics will be covered:

  • Formulating simple mathematical models of biological systems in terms of ordinary differential equations, using so-called balance equations.
  • Analysis of dynamics using phase-space methods
  • Deriving steady-state conditions
  • Determining stability using linearization (including stability criteria, reel and complex eigen values).
  • Limit cycles, complex dynamics and deterministic chaos.
  • Bifurcation theory: parameter dependence of system dynamics.

During the third week of the course the student will investigate a case study from biology, using mathematical modeling to derive research results. In this research the student will use the methods and concepts from the first part of the course. This final part of the course is concluded with a written report.

Studiemateriaal

Syllabus

  • During the course, the syllabus "Theoretical Biology" will be used. The students are required to acquire this syllabus before the start of the course at the Onderwijsbalie.

Leerdoelen

This course provides an introduction to theoretical and mathematical biology. In this course it will be explained how to translate a biological question into a mathematic model and analyze its predictions. Analytical, graphical, and numerical methods for analysis of mathematical models will be introduced. The students will learn to analyze parameter dependence of models, and they will learn how to translate the results to biological conclusions.

Onderwijsvormen

  • Hoorcollege
  • Werkcollege
  • (Computer)practicum
  • Zelfstudie

This course consists of 24 hours of lecture in which the entire syllabus will be discussed. In the first three weeks, 32 hours of practicals are scheduled during which students will work with the program MatCont. During the 8 hours of seminars students will work on exercises on paper. Week 3 and 4 have 24 hours of working on your own case study scheduled. Lastly, students will take a written exam.

Verdeling leeractiviteiten

Activity

Hours

Computer practicals

32

Lectures

24

Case study

24

Exam

3

Question time

2

Seminars

8

Self study

75

Total 6EC * 28

168

Aanwezigheid

Aanwezigheidseisen opleiding (OER-B):

  • Deelname aan alle (computer)practica, veldwerk en werkcolleges in het curriculum is verplicht.

Aanvullende eisen voor dit vak:

Aanvullende eisen voor dit vak:

Participation of all the computer practicals and seminars is compulsory. Students are pardoned if they miss a maximum of three days, should they have good reason to be absent. Absent students will also receive an assignment that has to be completed to compensate for their absence. Students that are absent for more than three days will not be able to complete the course.

Participation of lectures is strongly recommended.

 

Toetsing

Onderdeel en weging Details

Eindcijfer

60%

Tentamen

Moet ≥ 5 zijn

40%

Verslag case study

Moet ≥ 5 zijn

The student completes the course if the final grade is 5.5 or higher and the student participated according to the information stated above.

Opdrachten

Exercises

  • During the seminars and computer practicals, students will be working on exercises. These exercises will not be graded.

Case study

  • In the final week of this course, a report of an own case study of a student has to be handed in. Rubrics and a description of the assignment are available for this report. The rubrics are based on the methods students learned during Academische Vaardigheden, hence these previously acquired skills will be tested. The rubrics can be found on the Blackboard site of this course.

     

Onderstaande opdrachten komen aan bod in deze cursus:

  •    Naam opdracht 1 : beschrijving 2
  •    Naam opdracht 2 : beschrijving 1
  •    ....

Fraude en plagiaat

Dit vak hanteert de algemene ‘Fraude- en plagiaatregeling’ van de UvA. Onder plagiaat of fraude wordt verstaan het overschrijven van het werk van een medestudent dan wel het kopiëren van wetenschappelijke bronnen (uit bijvoorbeeld boeken en tijdschriften en van het Internet) zonder daarbij de bron te vermelden. Uiteraard is plagiaat verboden. Hier wordt nauwkeurig op gecontroleerd en streng tegen opgetreden. Bij verdenking van plagiaat wordt de examencommissie van de opleiding ingeschakeld. Wanneer de examencommissie overtuigd is dat er plagiaat gepleegd is dan kan dit maximaal leiden tot een uitsluiting van al het onderwijs van de opleiding voor een heel kalenderjaar. Zie voor meer informatie over het fraude- en plagiaatreglement van de Universiteit van Amsterdam.www.uva.nl/plagiaat

Weekplanning

Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
1
2
3
4

Rooster

The course schedule can be found at https://datanose.nl/

Aanvullende informatie

This course has a Blackboardsite that will be available to all participating students shortly before the course starts. During the course this Blackboardsite will be used to communicate all the information regarding the course.

Contactinformatie

Coördinator

  • Maarten Boerlijst