ECM3905 - Mathematical Biology and Ecology (2023)

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MODULE TITLEMathematical Biology and Ecology CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECM3905 MODULE CONVENERProf Stuart Townley (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 20
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module will give you the opportunity to learn how mathematics may be applied to the biosciences in order to quantify population and demographic phenomena. The subject matter has been selected so as to give a wide-ranging overview of the role applied mathematics has to play in the biological disciplines. Some use of software will enable you to build and analyse models using real world examples from nature. As an example, you may study the population dynamics of insects, animals or fish, or the competitive exclusion of species, and be able to draw conclusions about likely behaviours.

Prerequisite modules: “Differential Equations" (ECM2903) or equivalent

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module is designed to illustrate the application of mathematics to the biological science, and emphasises realistic situations throughout. These include: population dynamics (spruce budworms, whales) and stage-structured population models incorporating complex demographies. They also include harvesting models; competitive exclusion of species; reaction kinetics; biological waves; diffusion-driven instabilities and the effects of geometry on pattern formation in animals. On this module, you will learn how to use core applied mathematics techniques, such as differential equation modelling and matrix algebra. However, no previous biological knowledge will be assumed.

 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
 
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
 
1 Appreciate how mathematics can be usefully employed in various aspects of the life sciences.
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
 
2 Understand the role of mathematical modelling in real-life situations;
 
3 Recognise how many aspects of applied mathematics learned in earlier modules have practical uses;
 
4 Develop considerable expertise in using analytical and numerical techniques to explore mathematical models ncluding the use of appropriate software (e.g. MATLAB, Python, R etc.);
 
5 Formulate simple models;
 
6 Study adeptly the resulting equations;
 
7 Draw conclusions about likely behaviours.
 
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:
 
8 Display enhanced numerical and computational skills via the suite of practical exercises that accompany the formal lecture work;
 
9 Show enhanced literature searching and library skills in order to investigate various phenomena discussed;
 
10 Demonstrate enhanced time management and organisational abilities.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
- Continuous models for a single species; analysis of models using linear stability theory;  Hysteresis effects; harvesting a single natural population; discrete models and cobwebbing; discrete logistic growth and the route to chaos;
 
- Two-dimensional models; introduction to simple phase plane analysis; realistic models for various cases (e.g. predator-prey interactions) and the principles of competitive exclusion and mutualism;
 
- Introduction to population projection models; geometric growth, stable stage structures and reproductive value for stage-structured ecological populations; asymptotic analysis and transient bounds;
 
- Tools for analysing PPMs; sensitivity and elasticity; use of transfer function analysis to achieve exact perturbations; applications to managed conservation strategies; reaction kinetics and the law of mass action;
 
- Enzyme-substrate kinetics; Michaelis-Menten theory and activation/inhibition phenomena;
 
- Reaction-diffusion problems and biological waves; the Fisher equation; Turing instabilities and diffusion-driven instabilities in two-component systems; generation of patterning by domain geometry; minimal domains for stable pattern formation.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 33.00 Guided Independent Study 117.00 Placement / Study Abroad 0.00
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 33 Lectures, example classes
Guided independent study 117 Lecture and assessment preparation; wider reading

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Four Coursework Sheets 5-6 questions per sheet 1-11 Feedback sheet and in-class review of model
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 20 Written Exams 80 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment

% of Credit

Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)

ILOs Assessed

Feedback Method

Coursework – based on questions submitted for assessment

20

2 assignments, 30 hours total

All

Annotated script and written/verbal feedback

Written Exam

80

2 hours

1-7

Written/Verbal on request, SRS

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
All above Written Exam (100%) All August Ref/Def period
       
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.

If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

 

ELE: ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN Search
Set Caswell, H. Matrix Population Models: Construction, Analysis, and Interpretation 2nd Sinauer Associates 2001 9780878930937 [Library]
Set Murray, J.D. Mathematical Biology 2nd Springer 1993 000-3-540-57204-X [Library]
Set Jones, D.S. & Sleeman, B.D. Differential Equations and Mathematical Biology Electronic Allen & Unwin 2003 000-0-045-15001-X [Library]
Set Fife P.C. Mathematical aspects of reacting and diffusing systems Springer 1979 000-3-540-09117-3 [Library]
Set May, R.M. Theoretical Ecology. Principles and Applications Electronic Blackwell Scientific Publications 2007 000-0-632-00762-1 [Library]
Set Alstad, D. Basic Populus Models of Ecology Prentice-Hall 2001 978-0130212894 [Library]
Set Britton, N.F. Essential Mathematical Biology Springer 2005 978-1852335366 [Library]
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES ECM2903
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10 July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 18 January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mathematical biology; Ecology; Nonlinear dynamics; Systems biology; Population dynamics; Mathematical Modelling; Linear Algebra; Differential Equations