BMB539: Applications of mathematics in life sciences (5 ECTS)

STADS: 01015301

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the spring semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: brewer@memphys.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
wuestner@bmb.sdu.dk
veits@bmb.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
Students taking the course are expected to:

• Have knowledge of basic calculus corresponding to the course  Mathematics for BMB, Biomedicine and Chemistry

Course introduction
The purpose of this course is to introduce mathematical notation and mathematical methods for analysis of problems in lifesciences. Emphasis will be on practical / computing aspects of the mathematical methods introduced in the course. The course will introduce the student to applications of mathematics which the students of BMB and biomedicine will use in later courses of during their studies. The course will combine mathematics with relevant examples from physics, chemistry and biology. 

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the course Mathematics for BMB, Biomedicine and Chemistry. It gives an academic basis for applying mathematics to describe physical, chemical and biological phenomena.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to enable the student to analyze relevant  problems related to  physical, chemical and biological phenomena with a mathematical approach and to perform calculations on typical mathematical  problems related to life sciences.

 

Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:

• Use mathematics to describe and solve typical mathematical problems in life sciences. 
• Gain an overview and understanding of the basic concepts of the mathematical methods used in life sciences.

Subject overview
The following main topics are contained in the course:

• Calculations and analysis of mathematical functions relevant to life sciences. 
• Descriptive  statistics
• Visual display of data
• Linear regression
• Biological applications of derivatives
• Rates of change 
• Thermodynamics
• Applications of integration. 
• Thermodynamics
• Poiseuille’s Law: Blood flow
• Differential equations
• Enzyme kinetics
• Chemical reactions
• Linear algebra including vectors, matrices, solution linear systems of equations, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. 
• Numerical methods (interpolation, numerical integration, minimization), and their applications in life sciences

Literature
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:

1. Project reports, (2ECTS), Internal marking, pass/fail. (01015312).
2. Written exam, (3 ECTS), External marking, 7-mark scale. (01015302).

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 16 hours
Skills training phase: 36 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 20 hours
 - Laboratory exercises: 16 hours

Educational activities

• Work with the material from the book
• Problem solving
• Mini project

Educational form
The intro phase consists of lectures which provide an introduction to the course. Students are expected to independently read prescribed text (the text book) to achieve the expected competencies and necessary overview. The skills training phase deals with the central parts of the course using theoretical and computer based exercises. The tutorials are based on prior independent work or, if wanted, self-organized group work. The training phase also includes Computer based lab exercises in which students work together in groups. The study phase is partly preparation for the intro lectures, tutorials and laboratory exercises as well as preparation of laboratory reports and exam preparation (repetition).

Language
This course is taught in Danish.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
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