BMB539: Applications of mathematics in life sciences

Students taking the course are expected to:

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

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.

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.

• 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

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).

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