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  • © 2020

An Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Computational and Mathematical Biology

From Birdsongs to Viscosities

Birkhäuser
  • Simplifies the process of identifying suitable, open research problems in mathematical and computational biology for undergraduate students and their advisers

  • Comprised of self-contained chapters that provide recommendations for undergraduate-accessible research problems, as well as the necessary mathematical fundamentals for undertaking these problems

  • Provides lists of prerequisite courses for each suggested research topic

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
  2. A Tour of the Basic Reproductive Number and the Next Generation of Researchers

    • Carlos W. Castillo-Garsow, Carlos Castillo-Chavez
    Pages 87-124
  3. Exploring Modeling by Programming: Insights from Numerical Experimentation

    • Brittany E. Bannish, Sean M. Laverty
    Pages 155-215
  4. Agent-Based Modeling in Mathematical Biology: A Few Examples

    • Alexandra L. Ballow, Lindsey R. Chludzinski, Alicia Prieto-Langarica
    Pages 273-298
  5. What Are the Chances?—Hidden Markov Models

    • Angela B. Shiflet, George W. Shiflet, Mario Cannataro, Pietro Hiram Guzzi, Chiara Zucco, Dmitriy A. Kaplun
    Pages 353-400
  6. Using Neural Networks to Identify Bird Species from Birdsong Samples

    • Russell Houpt, Mark Pearson, Paul Pearson, Taylor Rink, Sarah Seckler, Darin Stephenson et al.
    Pages 401-442
  7. Using Regularized Singularities to Model Stokes Flow: A Study of Fluid Dynamics Induced by Metachronal Ciliary Waves

    • Elizabeth L. Bouzarth, Kevin R. Hutson, Zachary L. Miller, Mary Elizabeth Saine
    Pages 443-469

About this book

Speaking directly to the growing importance of research experience in undergraduate mathematics programs, this volume offers suggestions for undergraduate-appropriate research projects in mathematical and computational biology for students and their faculty mentors. The aim of each chapter is twofold: for faculty, to alleviate the challenges of identifying accessible topics and advising students through the research process; for students, to provide sufficient background, additional references, and context to excite students in these areas and to enable them to successfully undertake these problems in their research.

Some of the topics discussed include: 

• Oscillatory behaviors present in real-world applications, from seasonal outbreaks of childhood diseases to action potentials in neurons

• Simulating bacterial growth, competition, and resistance with agent-based models and laboratory experiments

• Network structure and the dynamics of biological systems

• Using neural networks to identify bird species from birdsong samples

• Modeling fluid flow induced by the motion of pulmonary cilia

Aimed at undergraduate mathematics faculty and advanced undergraduate students, this unique guide will be a valuable resource for generating fruitful research collaborations between students and faculty.


Keywords

  • Mathematical Biology
  • Computational Biology
  • Undergraduate Mathematics Research
  • Neural Networks
  • Disease Dynamics
  • Big Data

Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of Mathematics, University of Portland, Portland, USA

    Hannah Callender Highlander

  • Mathematics & Statistics, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, USA

    Alex Capaldi

  • Bates College, Lewiston, USA

    Carrie Diaz Eaton

About the editors

Hannah Callender Highlander is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon.

Alex Capaldi is an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. 


Carrie Diaz Eaton is an Associate Professor of Digital and Computational Studies at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access