Practical Biomedical Modelling
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MATH4046 | Mathematical Sciences | 4 | 40 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- MATH4046
- School
- Mathematical Sciences
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 40
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
This course involves the application of mathematical modelling to practical problems in biology and medicine, typical of those that mathematicians and systems biologists encounter in academia and industry. Specific projects are tackled through workshops and student-led group activities. Students will gain experience of applying a variety of mathematical modelling approaches to a range of biomedical problems. Examples include:
- Modelling cell signalling pathways using Ordinary Differential Equations;
- Fitting models to data;
- Modelling spatial patterning using Partial Differential Equations;
- Modelling biological tissues using individual-based models;
- Modelling tissue growth, including cancer.
The course will include training in report writing and giving presentations.
Target Students
MSc Computational Neuroscience, Cognition and AI students. Not available to undergraduates.
Classes
- One 3-hour workshop each week for 20 weeks
Assessment
- 25% Project 1: Written group report, word processed, 5,000 to 8,000 words.
- 25% Project 2: Written group report, word processed, 5,000 to 8,000 words.
- 15% Presentation 2: Oral presentation on the Students contribution to Project 3 (10 minutes).
- 10% Coursework 1: Assessed problem sheet (computer practical)
- 25% Presentation 1: Preparation of an A1 poster based on published research in biomedical modelling. Presentation and defence of the poster (approx. 10 minutes).
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The purpose of this courseis to deepen and broaden the students’ knowledge and experience of interdisciplinary research in biological modelling, by participating in project work based upon previous research and current problems in biomedical science. The practical nature of the problems requires students to develop skills in model development, analysis and refinement, teamwork, report writing and presentation, and the ability to assess critically existing models.Learning Outcomes
A student who completes this module successfully will be able
L1 - to identify the principle components of biological systems and formulate mathematical models to describe them;
L2 - to critically appreciate research articles by exploring the relevant scientific literature;
L3 - to numerically implement complex models and to explore them beyond published results;
L4 - to write a scientific report and to present results to other researchers in a concise and confident way;
L5 - to manage a research project with tight deadlines.