Intersection of Population Biology and Mathematics

人口生物学和数学的交叉点

• 批准号: 9752645
• 负责人: Jane Gallagher
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Research Foundation of the City University of New York
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1998
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1998-06-01 至 2001-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9752645&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Intersection; Population; Biology; Mathematics

A solid background in working with mathematical models using calculus and statistics has become a necessary component of education in Biology, particularly in the sub-fields of Ecology and Evolution. However, the importance of mathematical concepts to Biology is extremely difficult to convey to beginning students who are more comfortable with qualitative, "natural history" approaches. The problem in understanding the necessity of math to biology is greatly exacerbated by the fact that most Math courses and Biology courses are taught independently of each other, even when one course is a prerequisite to another. These difficulties are particularly acute in teaching these subjects in inner city environments where the students tend to have poor quantitative skills and limited exposure to science. We are addressing this difficulty by developing two coordinated undergraduate courses, one in Ecology and Evolution and one in Mathematical Modeling, that are designed to be taken together. The flow of topics is designed to reinforce each other. The Math course clarifies underlying principles of models of calculus and statistics and the Biology course provides a context for their application. We are developing computer simulations and exercises using the spreadsheet program Excel, which is readily available to all students. A new textbook in Mathematical Modeling for the Life Sciences is being produced, and we are making our lecture notes, laboratory exercises and simulations available on line. We have assembled a team of outside advisors helping us to evaluate our materials, and have constructed an assessment plan.

使用微积分和统计学的数学模型工作的坚实背景已成为生物学教育的必要组成部分，特别是在生态学和进化的子领域。 然而，数学概念对生物学的重要性很难传达给初学者，他们更喜欢定性的“自然历史”方法。 理解数学对生物学的必要性的问题，由于大多数数学课程和生物学课程是相互独立的，即使一门课程是另一门课程的先决条件，也大大加剧了这一事实。 这些困难在教授这些学科时尤其严重，因为在市中心的环境中，学生往往缺乏定量技能，接触科学的机会有限。 我们正在解决这一困难，通过开发两个协调的本科课程，一个在生态学和进化，一个在数学建模，旨在采取在一起。 主题的流动旨在相互加强。 数学课程阐明了微积分和统计模型的基本原理，生物学课程为它们的应用提供了背景。 我们正在开发计算机模拟和练习使用电子表格程序Excel，这是随时提供给所有学生。 一本新的生命科学数学建模教科书正在制作中，我们正在在线提供我们的课堂讲稿、实验练习和模拟。 我们已经组建了一个外部顾问团队，帮助我们评估我们的材料，并制定了评估计划。