Elements of Calculus I
For Life-Science Majors
Math 180 Section 009 or 013, Fall, 2013

Learn how mathematics in general, and Calculus specifically, can be useful in biology. If you are majoring in any life science, this is the section of Math 180 you should take.

Biology is a burgeoning science with many specialties becoming more and more quantitative.  In fact, mathematics has provided the impetus for many breakthroughs in diverse areas such as physiology, epidemiology, genetics, and ecology. The aim of this course is to introduce life science majors to the insights that mathematics can provide into biology by drawing on topics in these and other areas for study.  Gaining these insights involves understanding how mathematical models are formulated to describe biological phenomena. We will emphasize understanding what a mathematical model is, what models tell us, and how to use the solutions of models.

Text: Modeling the Dynamics of Life: Calculus and Probability for Life Scientists
           by Frederick Adler, Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 2013, 3rd edition
Note: This section of Math 180 will use a different textbook from the other sections.

The standard Calculus curriculum will be covered, but not in a standard way. The emphasis will be on modeling, interpreting models, problem solving and reasoning skills. All of the examples in the course will be biological and all of the motivation for studying Calculus will be based on solving a problem or analyzing a  model.

Current plans are to offer a continuation of this course in the Spring (Math 181); however, students will be able to switch sections for scheduling or other reasons.
 
 

Math 180 Section 009 or 013 TR  9:30-10:45   in ME 300 

For more information, contact:
Professor: Deborah Sulsky
Office:      SMLC 210
Phone:       277-7425
E-mail:     sulsky@math.unm.edu
URL:         http://www.math.unm.edu/~sulsky/m180/description.html