3.0

Average Course Rating

This course will cover classical and contemporary models used in the mathematical analysis of large biological datasets, ranging in scale from individual genomes to the ecology of entire populations. In particular, the course will begin with genomics, (1) covering technologies for genomic sequencing and approaches for assembly, (2) describing approaches for comparing genomes and modeling genome evolution, (3) exploring the Wright-Fisher model for allele frequencies throughout a population’s history, and (4) detailing computational models for functional element discovery. As time allows, the course will extend its discussion to consider agent-based modeling and population dynamics for such topics as (5) molecular dynamics, (6) locomotion, and (7) predator-prey systems. By emphasizing the mathematical concepts, assumptions, and limitations of each model (or algorithm), students will be able to generalize approaches to the analysis of a wide range of biological data. Students will actively walk through the algorithmic steps and break down the equations of many models, but no proofs or coding will be required.