Foundations of Mathematical Biology

                Math 637 - Spring 2012

    NJIT HONOR CODE:

    All Students should be aware that the Department of Mathematical Sciences takes the NJIT Academic Honor Code very seriously and enforces it strictly. This means there must not be any forms of plagiarism, i.e., copying of homework, class projects, or lab assignments, or any form of cheating in quizzes and exams. Under the Honor Code, students are obligated to report any such activities to the Instructor.

    Please re-read Article III of the Academic Honor Code, which describes conducts that are considered unacceptable (cheating, violating the US Copyright law, etc).

Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to the use of mathematical techniques applied to solve problems in Biology. Models discussed fall into 3 categories: discrete, continuous, and spatially distributed. Biological topics discussed range from subcellular molecular systems and cellular behavior to physiological problems, population biology and developmental biology.

Textbook:

    "Mathematical Physiology I: Cellular Physiology", by J. Keener & J. Sneyd - Springer (2009), 2nd edition

Recommended Books:

    "Mathematical Physiology II: Systems Physiology", by J. Keener & J. Sneyd - Springer (2009), 2nd edition

    "Mathematical Models in Biology", by L. Edelstein-Keshet, SIAM (2005), ISBN 0-89871-554-7

Class meets:

    Tue: 6:00 - 9:05, FMH-409

Office hours: Mon & Thu 11:30-1:00

Grading Policy:

    Students Presentations:................ 50%

    Homework: ................................ 30%

    Class Participation: .................... 20%

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    Please note that the University Drop Date March 20, 2012 deadline will be strictly enforced

Presentations Policy

Presentations will be based on the topics of the class or additional related topics choosen by the students according to their particular scientific interests

    Students will be assigned a number of presentations during the semester

    Presentations must include a personal contribution by the student (related paper, modeling work, numerical simulation, etc)

    There will be no make up presentations

Homework Policy

Homework will consist of modeling and simulations exercises on the topics discussed in class. Homework assignments will be posted on this course website (see below).

    A number of assignments will be given out during the semester

    Assignments will be collected on the published due date

    Late homework will not be accepted

    Only hard copies of the assignments will be accepted (NO electronic submissions)

    The source code used in your calculations MUST accompany the submitted homework

    Upon request, students must be able to explain their results and codes

Class Policies:

    Attendance and Participation: Students must attend all classes.

    Absences from class will inhibit your ability to fully participate in class discussions and problem solving sessions and, therefore, affect your grade

    Tardiness to class is very disruptive to the instructor and students and will not be tolerated

    Makeup Exam Policy: There will be no makeup exams, except in rare and extenuating situations where the student has a legitimate reason for missing an exam. The student must notify the NJIT Math office and the Instructor that he/she will miss an exam. In all cases, the student must present written verifiable proof of the reason for missing the exam, e.g., a doctor's note, police report, court notice, etc., clearly stating the date AND times of the mitigating problem.

    Cellular Phones: All cellular phones, beepers and other electronic devices must be switched off during class time (except when specifically allowed by the instructor)

    Chatting in class using electronic devices will not be tolerated

    Course Outline:


Class Date Topics of the Class
1
Jan 17
Introduction

Chemical Kinetics

LN-01

LN-02

2
Jan 24
Chemical kinetics (cont.)

Enzime kinetics

How to solve ODE's (review)

Singular perturbation theory

LN-03

LN-04

LN-05

3
Jan 31
Enzimatic reactions (cont.)

Biochemical reactions: competitive inhibition

Biochemical reactions: allosteric inhibition

Biochemical reactions: Cooperativity

LN-06
4
Feb 7
Dynamical Systems (review)

Biochemical reactions: Glycolysis

Biochemical reactions: Glycolytic oscillators

LN-07
5
Feb 14
Biochemical Reactions

6
Feb 21
Excitability

7
Feb 28
Excitability
8
Mar 6
Wave propagation in excitable systems
9
Mar 20
Wave propagation in excitable systems
10
Mar 27
Calcium dynamics

11
Apr 3
Calcium dynamics
12
Apr 10
Neuroendocrine cells
13
Apr 17
Regulation of cell function
14
Apr 24
Regulation of cell function


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Department of Mathematical Sciences(DMS).

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).

Horacio
Last modified: Sun Oct 31 13:16:02 EDT 2010