BIOSCI 702 : Modelling Biological Processes
Science
2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
- mathematical modelling in ecology and systems biology
- agent-based modelling in complex systems
- molecular dynamics of biological molecules
- You are interested in learning material that falls at the interface between biology and computational or mathematical modelling.
- For Module 1, you should be willing to think quantitatively using mathematics and engage in a large amount of high school level mathematics. You should know how to graph linear, quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions and solve equations involving these functions. Prerequisites can be learned, e.g., from this book (particularly, Sec 4.1-2, 5.1, 6.1-5): https://openstax.org/details/books/algebra-and-trigonometry
- For Modules 2 and 3, you should be willing to modify computer programs. You do not need to know how to write a computer program from scratch.
- For students with a background in computer science, physics, applied mathematics, or engineering, you should also have a strong interest in biology.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
Learning Outcomes
- Describe and explain the different types of models and how they help us to investigate and understand the natural world (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
- Be able to formulate scientific concepts into simple conceptual, mathematical or algebraic models and use these to test hypotheses (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
- Be able to modify simple computer programs to test hypotheses or adapt them to new situations (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
- Be able to work independently and with others to identify and answer scientific questions (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Be able to work independently and with others to identify and solve problems (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Communicate results of independent and group investigations to a broad scientific audience (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 5)
- Analyse and discuss literature describing the application of systems concepts and modelling across a range of natural sciences (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement with weekly discusion sessions | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Use of computer software to evaluate mathematical models | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Modification of simple computer program to investigate behaviour of microscopic systems | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Modification of simple computer program to investigate behaviour of macroscopic systems | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||||
| Engagement with weekly discusion sessions | ||||||||||
| Use of computer software to evaluate mathematical models | ||||||||||
| Modification of simple computer program to investigate behaviour of microscopic systems | ||||||||||
| Modification of simple computer program to investigate behaviour of macroscopic systems | ||||||||||
Tuākana
Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials,
one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html
Key Topics
- mathematical modelling in ecology and systems biology
- agent-based modelling in complex systems
- molecular dynamics of biological molecules
Module 2 will provide an introduction to agent-based modelling in complex systems. It will teach how to model spatial pattern formation and self-organisation in complex systems. It will involve a series of computer-based exercises, during which you will have the opportunity to modify some simple computer programs for simulating complex systems.
Module 3 will provide an understanding of how the chemical and structural properties of molecules and their dynamics are represented mathematically and computationally. During this module, you will have the opportunity to modify and even write some simple code for simulating molecular dynamics, as well as use the sophisticated programs used by researchers to simulate biological molecules such as proteins.
Workload Expectations
You can expect one hour of lecture and three hours of lab, three hours of reading, three hours of work on assignments per week. (This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.)
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs to receive credit for components of the course. Lectures will be taught on campus and be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings. The course will not include live online events. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
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Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Staff welcome feedback on the course throughout the semester, including the SET evaluations. Please contact your course coordinator or student representative at any time with your feedback.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.