Mathematical methods in biology 3, Närundervisning, Närundervisning

A practical introduction to mathematical concepts and methods applied in the life sciences. Part 3 covers the essential tools of vectors and matrices.

Närundervisning

13.1.2026 - 3.3.2026

3 sp

OnlinePå platsDeltagande i undervisningen

Tidsschema

24.11.2025 14.00 - 3.3.2026 23.59

Anmälan eller ansökan till kurs

13.1.2026 - 3.3.2026

Avsatt tid för studier

Beskrivning

Deltagande i undervisningen, Mathematical methods in biology, Part 3

Arbetssätt

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At the time of writing, there are classes scheduled for Tuesday, these are likely to change.

Lectures and exercise classes: The default mode of this course is attending on-site classes. If you cannot attend classes, you can try to follow the material from the lecture notes (parts 1, 3, 4 have lecture notes so far). Questions are always welcome! The lecture notes will be published later.

Homework exercises: weekly assignments on the course Moodle page. Solve the exercises before coming to the exercise class where we discuss them. The goal is to have hands-on skills; therefore, the homework exercises are the most important learning tool! If you must skip an exercise class, you can submit your homework by email. I cannot give individual feedback on emailed homework; compare your results with the published solution and we can discuss any questions you have by email or in a zoom meeting.

Prerequisites: none. (This is Part 3 of a 4-part course but the previous parts are not required here. This part prepares the students for taking Part 4.)

Exam: written exam of problem-solving, the problems are similar to the homework exercises. Everything may be used (books, notes, etc). Exercise class activity decides marginal grades.

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Tilläggsuppgifter och anmälan

Pris

90 €

Anmälan

24.11.2025 14.00 - 3.3.2026 23.59

Gå till högskolans webbplats(Öppnas i en ny flik)

Detaljerad information:

Tidpunkt

13.1.2026 - 3.3.2026

Utbildningsområden

Naturvetenskap

Undervisningsspråk

Engelska

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Mathematical methods in biology, Part 3

A practical introduction to mathematical concepts and methods applied in the life sciences. Part 3 covers the essential tools of vectors and matrices.

We learn mathematics through solving problems of biological interest, with emphasis on applicable skills and hands-on experience. The course is specifically tailored for biology students and assumes no background in mathematics.

The full course consists of four parts (each can be taken separately and awards 3 credits):

Mathematical methods in biology, Part 1: Fundamentals (construction of simple models and basic calculus)
Mathematical methods in biology, Part 2: Probability (handling stochastic phenomena, groundwork for statistics)
Mathematical methods in biology, Part 3: Vectors and matrices (applied to population dynamics, genetics and statistics)
Mathematical methods in biology, Part 4: Dynamic models (techniques to analyse models of ecological interactions, biochemical reactions, etc.)

In the present Part 3, we build up indispensable tools for studying models with several variables, such as the dynamics of multiple, interacting populations or biochemical reaction networks. The key to analysing such models is given by vectors and matrices. In this part, we learn what vectors and matrices are, how to perform calculations with them and how to analyse linear models in discrete time. Our leading example will be the dynamics of structured populations (age-, size-, spatial etc. structure), with further examples depending on the participants' background and interest (principal component analysis in statistics, stochastic population models and extinction probabilities, genetic drift, quantitative genetics, or a brief foray into density-dependent models of periodical cicadas and chaotic dynamics).

This part can be taken without parts 1 and 2 of Mathematical methods in biology. Together with part 1, this part (or equivalent knowledge) is needed for part 4, where we shall get to models of wide interest.

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Arrangör

Helsingin yliopisto

Läge

Biokeskus 3, sali 2402 Biokeskus 3, Viikinkaari 1 Viikinkaari 1 00790 HELSINKI

Biokeskus 3, sali 1401 Biokeskus 3, Viikinkaari 1 Viikinkaari 1 00790 HELSINKI

Lärare

Eva Kisdi, ansvarig lärare

Tilläggsuppgifter

avoin-student@helsinki.fi