Title |
Modelling of Biological Systems
|
Semester |
E2024
|
Master programme in |
Mathematical Bioscience
|
Type of activity |
Course |
Teaching language |
English
|
Study regulation | |
REGISTRATION AND STUDY ADMINISTRATIVE | |
Registration |
Sign up for study activities at stads selvbetjening within the announced registration period, as you can see on the Studyadministration homepage. When signing up for study activities, please be aware of potential conflicts between study activities or exam dates. The planning of activities at Roskilde University is based on the recommended study programs which do not overlap. However, if you choose optional courses and/or study plans that goes beyond the recommended study programs, an overlap of lectures or exam dates may occur depending on which courses you choose. |
Number of participants |
|
ECTS |
10
|
Responsible for the activity |
Jesper Schmidt Hansen (jschmidt@ruc.dk)
|
Head of study |
Jesper Schmidt Hansen (jschmidt@ruc.dk)
|
Teachers |
|
Study administration |
INM Registration & Exams (inm-exams@ruc.dk)
|
Exam code(s) |
U60161
|
ACADEMIC CONTENT | |
Overall objective |
The overall objective of the course is to give the student a fundamental understanding of and experience with modelling biological systems using mathematics and what is achieved by this. |
Detailed description of content |
During the course, the student will explore examples of mechanism-based mathematical models of biological systems. This can include population dynamics, epidemics, disease spreading in the human body, and resource competition. The exploration includes mathematical and numerical analysis, validation through biological data, and the models' limitations and possible extensions are discussed. The course seeks to give the student an integrated understanding of the modelling process. This can, for example, be supported by guest lectures with different scientific backgrounds and research focus areas. |
Course material and Reading list |
The course syllabus is composed of teacher's notes, selected book chapters, possible relevant scientific papers, etc. During the course computer code will also be available; this code is not necessarily complete and the students must be able to extent and modify the code for specific purposes. The material will be made available to the students before and during the semester, depending on the nature of the material. |
Overall plan and expected work effort |
The teaching format is based on a scientific dialogue between the students and the course teacher, working with exercises, student presentations, etc. The teacher will, of course, highlight relevant points. For the dialogue to be fruitful, the student must prepare for each class; this includes careful reading the text material, finish exercises, and other home work suggested by the teacher. As a rule of thumb, the student should use 1-2 hours of preparation for every hour in class. - Total (minimum): 280 hours
|
Format |
|
Evaluation and feedback |
The course includes formative evaluation based on dialogue between the students and the teacher(s). Students are expected to provide constructive critique, feedback and viewpoints during the course if it is needed for the course to have better quality. Every other year at the end of the course, there will also be an evaluation through a questionnaire in SurveyXact. The Study Board will handle all evaluations along with any comments from the course responsible teacher. Furthermore, students can, in accordance with RUCs ‘feel free to state your views’ strategy through their representatives at the study board, send evaluations, comments or insights form the course to the study board during or after the course. |
Programme |
Depending on the specific topic, the teacher, and the student group, the students will engage in a dialogue with the teacher and from this do exercises in groups or individually. The exercises will be based on pure mathematical analysis, computer-aided analysis, discussion in groups, with teacher, and so forth. |
ASSESSMENT | |
Overall learning outcomes |
After the course the student will be able to
|
Form of examination |
Individual written invigilated exam.
The duration of the exam is 4 hours. Permitted support and preparation materials for the exam: All. Assessment: 7-point grading scale. Moderation: External examiner. |
Form of Re-examination |
Individual oral exam with time for preparation.
Time for preparation including time to pick a question by drawing lots: 45 minutes. Time allowed for exam including time used for assessment: 45 minutes. Permitted support and preparation materials: Course material and own notes. Assessment: 7-point grading scale. Moderation: External examiner. |
Type of examination in special cases |
|
Examination and assessment criteria |
The evaluation is based on the student's skill to apply and analyze mechanistic models for biological data. This skill is founded in knowledge and understanding of previous models, their limitations and extensions through the modelling cycle. In the model analyses it is evaluated whether the student can derive novel biological insight from the model output, which can be on the form of mathematical expressions, graphs, numerical data, and so forth. |
Exam code(s) | |
Last changed | 11/11/2024 |