MA12029: Mathematical methods for the life sciences 1
[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]
| Academic Year: | 2023/24 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Mathematical Sciences |
| Credits: | 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 200 |
| Level: | Certificate (FHEQ level 4) |
| Period: |
- Academic Year
|
| Assessment Summary: | CWSI 50%, EXOB 50% |
| Assessment Detail: |
- Open-book written examination (EXOB 50%)
- Set exercises Individual (CWSI 50%)
|
| Supplementary Assessment: |
- Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
|
| Requisites: |
|
| Learning Outcomes: |
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
- Make effective use of a range of standard mathematical functions to describe physical processes in the life sciences;
- Analyse first and second order dynamical systems describing physical processes using a range of techniques;
- Explore data sets using a range of techniques;
- Use mathematical models in a range of life sciences contexts and identify model limitations.
|
| Synopsis: | This unit will develop your mathematical and statistical skills so that you can apply them to problems arising in the life sciences. You will learn how to analyse a range of equation types, making use of graphical techniques, calculus and rate equations to describe systems changing over time. You will also learn how to interrogate and visualise data and will be able to link data to simple model systems.
|
| Content: | Modelling with functions: polynomial, rational, exponential, log, trig, composite. General form, graph, derivatives, integrals, dimensional analysis.
Mathematical tools: complex numbers, matrices, determinants, partial derivatives, approximating nonlinear functions, Jacobian matrix.
Feedback systems: first and second order rate equations, linear and nonlinear; phase-line diagrams, phase planes, solution trajectories, steady state analysis, Routh Hurwitz criteria, numerical simulations, simple bifurcations.
Exploring data: data visualisation, summary statistics, interpreting data.
Relating models to data: simple examples of non-dimensionalisation.
Applications and limitations.
|
| Course availability: |
MA12029 is Optional on the following courses:
Department of Chemistry
- USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) (Year 1)
- USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
- USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 1)
- USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 1)
- USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
- USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 1)
- USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
- USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
- USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
- USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) (Year 1)
- USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 1)
- USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
- USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 1)
- USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
- USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 1)
- USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
- USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
- USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
|
Notes: - This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
- Courses and units are subject to change 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.
- Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.
|
