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MA30063: Mathematical biology 2

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
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 Summary: EX 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (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 (Year 3)
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Year 3)
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences with Study year abroad (Year 4)
Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • USMA-AFB15 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences (Year 3)
  • USMA-AAB16 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USMA-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Mathematical Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USMA-AFB13 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics (Year 3)
  • USMA-AAB14 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USMA-AKB14 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USMA-AFM14 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics (Year 3)
  • USMA-AFM14 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics (Year 4)
  • USMA-AAM15 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USMA-AKM15 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USMA-AKM15 : MMath(Hons) Mathematics with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • USMA-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Statistics (Year 3)
  • USMA-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Statistics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USMA-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Statistics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • TSMA-AFM09 : MSc Mathematical Sciences
  • TSMA-APM09 : MSc Mathematical Sciences
  • TSMA-AFM08 : MSc Modern Applications of Mathematics
  • TSMA-AWM14 : MSc Modern Applications of Mathematics
  • TSMA-AFL02 : PG Dip Modern Applications of Mathematics
  • USMA-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Statistics (Year 3)
  • USMA-AAB06 : BSc(Hons) Statistics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USMA-AKB06 : BSc(Hons) Statistics with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* 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.