MAT3204: Biomathematics

 This course is a foundation course that introduces learners to the basic mathematical concepts. It covers the following topics: Population Models; Dynamics of Interacting Species; Bio-economics; and Introduction to Mathematical Epidemiology.

Course Objectives   
On successful completion of this course unit, the learners should be able to: 

• Appreciate the significance and application of mathematics in biological problems 
• Establish the stages of mathematical modeling including among which: problem identification, the background information, writing the model, solving the model, validation of the model, and independence of the solution. 
• Describe the concept of epidemiology in terms of simple infection models, and general infection models. 
• Establish the significance of mathematical modeling in resource exploitation including: 
• forests, and fishing, exploring thoroughly the concept of bio-economics.   
• Use some packages such as MAPLE, and MATLAB, in solving systems of differential equations 

Expected Learning Outcome
This course unit is meant: 

• To discuss the basic competence in the concepts, principles, and procedures in formulation, analysis, and interpretation of mathematical models in biology, ecology, environment, epidemics and bio-economics.  
• To encourage orderliness, speed and accuracy in the presentation of mathematical models in ecology and environment with reference to problems concerning distribution and abundance of the population and community dynamics. 
• To help learners acquire the skills in mathematical modeling models correctly in mathematical epidemiology focusing on epidemic prevention, control and eradication strategies to achieve a steady state. 
• To provide instruction that contributes to the learners’ abilities to think critically and solve real life problems in biological sciences, to reason mathematically, and apply computational and modeling skills to such critical life situations. 
• To build a strong foundation in mathematical analysis as preparation for subsequent courses in biomathematics and other sciences at master’s level.