Teaching Mathematical Modeling in the Behavioral Sciences

生物科学（61）。该项目正在开发本科阶段的教学模块，重点是行为科学中的数学建模。这些模块涵盖了交配策略、竞争、栖息地选择、觅食、合作与冲突以及沟通等主题。课程的重点是熟知的动物行为模型，并鼓励学生将这些模型扩展到人类行为、政治和经济领域。这些模块可以一起用于行为学课程，也可以单独用于生物学、生态学、进化论、社会学或心理学入门课程。该项目的第二个方面是通过引入行为应用来加强数学课程。每个模块都积极地让学生参与到模型的开发中。在观看了说明问题的行为视频后，学生识别相关变量，制定模型，将其转换为数学形式，根据模型做出预测，用图形模拟测试这些预测，并设计真实世界的实验来测试模型。这些练习给学生提供了概率论、博弈论和优化方法的经验。教师手册建议将材料纳入各种课程的方法，并指出学生可以自行进一步探索的领域。这些材料正在不同的学院和大学进行测试。评估包括比较测试（仅讲授与模块）和长期的知识保留和转移测试。通过全国会议、教育出版物和教科书出版商的分发，这些材料的传播扩大了该项目的影响，并增加了全国大学生对行为数学模型的了解。

Biological Sciences (61). This project is developing instructional modules at the undergraduate level that focus on mathematical modeling in the behavioral sciences. These modules cover such topics as mating strategies, contests, habitat selection, foraging, cooperation and conflict, and communication. The focus is on well-understood models of animal behavior, with students encouraged to extend the models to human behavior, politics, and economics. Modules can be used together in behavior courses or singly in introductory biology, ecology, evolution, sociology, or psychology courses. A secondary aspect of the project is enhancement of mathematics classes by introducing behavioral applications. Each module actively engages the student in developing a model. After watching video of a behavior that illustrates a question, a student identifies the relevant variables, formulates a model, translates it to mathematical form, makes predictions based on the model, tests those predictions with a graphical simulation, and designs real-world experiments that would test the model. These exercises give students experience with probability, game theory, and optimization methods. A manual for instructors suggests ways to incorporate the material into a variety of courses and indicates areas that students may explore further on their own. This material is being tested at a diverse group of colleges and universities. Evaluation includes comparative tests (lecture-only vs. module) and longer-term tests of retention and transfer of knowledge. Dissemination of the material through national meetings, educational publications, and distribution by a textbook publisher is broadening the impact of the project and increasing the exposure of undergraduates nationwide to mathematical modeling of behavior.