Modeling the Dynamics of Life: Calculus and Probability for Life Scientists (with iLrn™ Testing) (Available Titles CengageNOW) - Hardcover

Adler, Frederick R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0534404863 ISBN 13: 9780534404864

Publisher: Brooks Cole, 2004

Synopsis

Designed to help life sciences students understand the role mathematics has played in breakthroughs in epidemiology, genetics, statistics, physiology, and other biological areas, this text provides students with a thorough grounding in mathematics, the language, and 'the technology of thought' with which these developments are created and controlled. The text teaches the skills of describing a system, translating appropriate aspects into equations, and interpreting the results in terms of the original problem. The text helps unify biology by identifying dynamical principles that underlie a great diversity of biological processes. Standard topics from calculus courses are covered, but with particular emphasis on those areas connected with modeling: discrete-time dynamical systems, differential equations, and probability and statistics.

About this title

About the Author:

After graduating from Harvard University with a B.A. in Mathematics, Fred Adler received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics at Cornell University, where he began his study of mathematical biology. Currently a professor in the departments of mathematics and biology at the University of Utah, he teaches courses in mathematical modeling with a wide range of backgrounds. Prof. Adler's research focuses on mathematical ecology, with emphases in mathematical epidemiology, evolutionary ecology, and community ecology.

Review:

"Perhaps my favorite feature of the revised manuscript is the naming of examples. Students often study mathematics at this level by attempting new problems based on examples. By naming the ideas discussed in a particular example in the text, the author has made it easier for a student attempting an exercise to locate a relevant example in the text." "F. Adler's MODELING THE DYNAMICS OF LIFE: CALCULUS AND PROBABILITY FOR LIFE SCIENTISTS is a unique calculus text in that it contains introductory material on discrete time dynamical systems and their solutions." "The revised manuscript is well written and robust. There are numerous worked out examples that allow a student to carefully digest concepts as well as many new carefully constructed exercises designed to re-enforce understanding."

"This is an excellent text because of the very strong emphasis on biological applications, the inclusion of updating functions, and the interesting physiological subsections." "I was drawn to this book for several reasons. One was that it seemed less intimidating than other texts, which I considered important since many biology students have an aversion to mathematics. Another reason was that the biological applications are an integral part of the text; it doesn't come across as artificial, or something found only in the exercises. Third, I like the inclusion of updating functions; it fits into our general curriculum of the minor in mathematical biology."

"Adler does an excellent job at presenting difficult material at the mathematically appropriate level for his audience. Moreover, the new edition is improved by the large number of new exercises, examples and the greater mathematical precision of the text."

About this edition

• Publisher: Brooks Cole
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0534404863
• ISBN 13: 9780534404864
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 875