This module has two aims: firstly, to introduce you to mathematical biology at all scales, secondly, to develop critical assessment of mathematical modelling.

By topic, the course is organised into four three-week sections, according to spatial scale, in the following (pedagogically advisable) sequence: molecules, organisms, ecosystems, and populations. 

The critical aspect is inspired by the slogan ``All models are wrong, but some models are useful''. Most of the assessment for this course is by way of critical essays that incorporate mathematical results. Of course, you must still produce those results, but you must also critically reflect on them.

The course material consists of lectures, journal articles, and exercises. Note that the exercises assume competence in solving differential equations numerically and plotting their solutions. The default programming language on this course is Julia, and some of the lecture material will be in the form of Julia notebooks.

Your final mark is based on

•  participation, based on doing the exercises and contributing to class discussions;
•  short essays, one per section, and
• an exam.