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MA30063: Mathematical biology 2

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mathematical Sciences
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 100%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: MA30063 Mandatory Extra Work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take MA20223 and take MA30047
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To introduce students to applications of partial differential equations to model problems arising in biology. Both mathematical modelling and mathematical analysis will be covered, and at all times the interplay between the mathematics and the underlying biological concepts will be emphasised.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
* Derive and interpret mathematical models of problems arising in biology using partial differential equations;
* Analyse models written in terms of partial differential equations;
* Give a qualitative and quantitative account of their solution, and
* Interpret the results in terms of the original biological problem.

Skills:
Mathematical modelling in biology T/F A
Problem solving T/F A
Written communication F A

Content:
Biological Motion
* Derivation of general conservation equation (macroscopic approach)
* Properties of a conservation equation
* Boundary conditions
* Derivation of the diffusion-advection equation (microscopic approach)
* Components of flux - diffusion, advection, chemotaxis
* Solution of the advection equation using method of characteristics
* Age structured problems
* Solutions of the diffusion equation using the fundamental solution
* Steady state distributions; transit times
Biological Invasions
* Wavefront and wavespeed calculations for exponentially growing populations
* Planar travelling waves; minimum wavespeed
Spatial Pattern Formation
* Critical domain size; scale and geometry effects
* Turing mechanisms
* Linear stability analysis; conditions for diffusion-driven instability; dispersion relation and Turing space.
Tumour Growth
* Formation of necrotic core
* Tumour size.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MA30063 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Industrial Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • USMA-AFB15 : BSc (hons) Mathematical Sciences (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AKB16 : BSc (hons) Mathematical Sciences (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAB16 : BSc (hons) Mathematical Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USMA-AFB13 : BSc (hons) Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AKB14 : BSc (hons) Mathematics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USMA-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Statistics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Statistics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Statistics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAB14 : BSc (hons) Mathematics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USMA-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Statistics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AKB06 : BSc (hons) Statistics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAB06 : BSc (hons) Statistics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USMA-AFM14 : MMath Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USMA-AFM14 : MMath Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 4
  • USMA-AAM15 : MMath Mathematics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • TSMA-AFM09 : MSc Mathematical Sciences (Full-time)
  • TSMA-APM09 : MSc Mathematical Sciences (Part-time)
  • TSMA-AFM08 : MSc Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time)
  • TSMA-AWM14 : MSc Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time incorporating placement)
  • TSMA-AFL02 : PG Dip Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.