AMATH 423
SLN 10210, TTh 3:30-4:50, Mary Gates Hall 287
(Prerequisites: AMATH 353)

Mathematical Biology: Stochastic Models


Instructor:

 Professor Hong Qian
Guggenheim 415E
tel: 543-2584
fax: 685-1440
qian@amath.washington.edu
office hours: M,W,F 1:30-2:30
 Professor Mark Kot
Guggenheim 415G
tel: 543-0908
fax: 685-1440
kot@amath.washington.edu
office hours: W 2:30-4:20

Teaching Assistant:

 Ms. Justine Seo
Guggenheim 415L
tel: 616-8703
fax: 685-1440
justine@amath.washington.edu
office hours: M 2:30-3:30

Course Description

Mathematical biology is a very active and fast growing interdisciplinary area in which mathematical concepts, techniques, and models are applied to a variety of problems in the biomedical sciences. Many biological structures and processes are intrinsically stochastic. This course introduces students to a variety of probabilistic techniques for mathematical modeling in biology and medicine. The biological background for each problem will be described, mathematical models will be developed and studied, and finally the biological implications of the mathematical results will be interpreted. Biological topics will include genomics, genetics, biophysics, population and cancer biology. Mathematical topics will include generating functions, Poisson process, Markov process, Branching process, and diffusion. There will be no exam. Each student is expected to finish a term project, related to stochastic modeling in biological sciences, of his/her own interests. A term paper of 10-15 pages (double space) count 30% of one's final grade, the balance comes from the homeworks.

Syllabus

Course Notes

Introduction and Review

Prof. Kot's notes, #1

Prof. Kot's notes, #2

Prof. Kot's notes, #3

Prof. Kot's notes, #4

Prof. Kot's notes, #5

Prof. Kot's notes, #6

Prof. Qian's notes, #2

Prof. Qian's note supplement, #2

Prof. Qian's notes, #3

Prof. Qian's notes, #4

Learning Objectives and Instructor Expectations

Although the subject matter of Stochastic Modeling in Biologyi can be made rather difficult, I will attempt to present the course material in as simple a manner as possible. Applications will be emphasized. I will let you know clearly what you need to learn and what can be skipped. Homeworks are used to reinforce class lectures, but not as a way to introduce new material not covered in class.

Schedule and Homework

Follow links in the table below to obtain a copy of the homework in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.

Homework and Exams Homework Due Date Homework Problem Sets Homework Solutions
First day of classes Monday, January 7
1/10 Homework#1 due Thursday, 1/24 Qian's #1
1/17 Homework #2 due Thursday, 1/24 Kot's #1
Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 21 No class
1/22 Homework #3 due Tuesday, 1/29 Kot's #2
1/31 Homework#4 due Thursday, 2/07 Kot's #3
2/05 Homework#5 due Tuesday, 2/12 Kot's #4
2/12 Homework#6 due Tuesday, 2/19 Kot's #5
2/14 Homework#7 due Tuesday, 2/21 Kot's #6
2/14 Homework#8 due Tuesday, 2/21 Kot's #7
President's Day Monday, February 18 No class
2/19 Homework#9 due Tuesday, 2/26 Qian's #2
2/26 Homework#10 due Tuesday, 3/4 Qian's #3
Last day of classes Friday, March 14

Grading

Mon Nov 19 17:25:57 PST 2007