Dr Christopher Angstmann, from the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia, will present the Department of Statistical Science seminar with a talk entitled, "Modelling with Fractional-Order Derivatives".

Abstract:  In recent years there has been great interest in developing models involving fractional derivatives in many branches of science and engineering. The use of fractional derivatives allows for the inclusion of a non-locality in the models. This non-locality has allowed for the development of models that fit a variety of phenomena that are not easily modelled with simple integer-order differential equations such as anomalous diffusion and chronic infections. The use of fractional-order derivatives is of course not without its drawbacks. For example, as the models are non-local, the numeric approximation of the solutions are much more onerous to produce. Another issue that often arises is the physical meaning of the parameters in such models and a general loss of modelling intuition