MATH-UA 256 Computers In Medicine And Biology
4 points. Offered in the spring. Identical to BIOL-UA 256.
Course Description
Introduces students to the use of computer simulation as a tool for investigating biological phenomena. The course requirement is to construct three computer models during the semester, to report on results to the class, and to hand in a writeup describing each project. These projects can be done individually, or as part of a team. Topics discussed in class are the circulation of the blood, gas exchange in the lung, electrophysiology of neurons and neural networks, the renal countercurrent mechanism, cross-bridge dynamics in muscle, and the dynamics of epidemic and endemic diseases. Projects are normally chosen from this list, but may be chosen otherwise by students with other interests.
Prerequisites
MATH-UA 255 Mathematics in Medicine and Biology, or permission of the instructor. Familiarity with a programming language is recommended. The language used in the course will be MATLAB, but prior experience with MATLAB is not required.