Biomathematics: Developing a Textbook and Case Study Manual for Teaching Introductory Courses in Mathematical Biology

人们认识到，国家需要更多地将数学技术应用于生物学问题。为了让数学和生物相结合的高级研究项目取得成功，强有力的跨学科准备是必要的，应该在本科初期就开始。目前，适合二年级本科生学习的生物数学教材还很少。该项目的主要研究人员正在编写一本名为《生物数学》的教科书，以及一本计算机辅助的动手案例研究项目的实验室手册。由Sweet Briar学院教授和弗吉尼亚大学研究人员组成的团队撰写的文本和实验室手册中的材料是独一无二的，因为它的编写水平要求最低的先决条件，教授生物数学中使用的特定方法和解决问题的技能，强调解决某些问题的多种方法，并包括主要基于当前研究项目的案例研究，这将提高学生的兴趣。随着学院和大学在课程中增加生物数学课程，对生物数学的一系列新教材的需求日益增长，特别是在入门水平上。教科书和实验室手册适合用于生物数学的第一门课程，补充现有的生物和数学课程，并作为学生研究项目的来源。

There is a recognized national need for increased application of mathematical techniques to problems in biology. In order for advanced research programs integrating mathematics and biology to succeed, strong interdisciplinary preparation is necessary and should begin early in the undergraduate years. Currently, there are few appropriate published textbooks in biomathematics for sophomore level undergraduates. Project principal investigators are developing a textbook entitled Biomathematics, along with a laboratory manual of hands-on, computer-assisted case study projects. Written by a team of Sweet Briar College professors and University of Virginia researchers, the material in the text and laboratory manual is unique because it is written at a level that requires minimal prerequisites, teaches the specific approaches and problem solving skills used in biomathematics, emphasizes multiple approaches to solving some problems, and includes case studies based largely on current research projects that will heighten student interest. As colleges and universities add biomathematics courses to their curricula, the need is growing for a range of new educational materials in biomathematics, particularly at the introductory level. The textbook and laboratory manual are appropriate for use in a first course in biomathematics, to supplement existing biology and mathematics courses, and as a source for student research projects.