3515.20 - Mathematics and Statistics for Biologists

3515.20

Mathematics and Statistics for Biologists

7.5

Upper Secondary School with B-level in mathematics

To give the student basic knowledge to mathematics and statistics and their use in biology

Difference equations. Logistic growth and other growth rates. Matrices. Inverse matrix, eigenvalue and eigenvectors. Models for age groups and species, predator and prey, competition, symbiosis. Prediction of polulations with matrices and eigenvectors. Equilibria, oscillations and stability. Basic statistics. Population, sampling, data management and presentation. Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Basic probability concepts and distributions. Normal, binomial, and poisson distributions. Estimation and confidence interval. Hypothesis testing. Analysis of frequencies. Correlation and simple regression analysis. Comparisons of means. Exercises and projects from biology.

Lectures and problem solving.

On completion of the course, the successful student should be able to: • demonstrate basic knowledge regarding population mathematics and difference equations, matrices and eigenvalues, population and sampling statistics, probability and probability distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing • point out simple mathematical and statistical models in biology and explain variables and parameters in the models • make calculations in the models and interpret the results within a biological

A 4 hour written examination counting 75% of the grade. All auxiliary material allowed excluding communication equipment. Six compulsory homeworks, of which four to be approved, and the last two count 25% of the grade

External

7-

Mathematical models in biology – an introduction. E.S. Allman & J.A. Rhopes, 2004. Essential Biostatistics - a non mathematical approach. H. Motulsky, 2016.

Benadikt Joensen