MA3050 - Environmental and Biological Modelling

Credit points:	03
Year:	2011
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	School of Engineering

This subject will examine in detail mathematical models of population ecology, biochemical kinetics, physiological problems, blood flow and spatial characteristics of the spread of pollutants and of disease as well as applications in groundwater flow and marine science (including ideas from basic oceanography). Mathematical techniques covered may include regular and singular perturbation theory, conservation laws and dimensional analysis, complex variables and partial differential equations. Numerical analysis will be incorporated throughout the subject as it is required.

Learning Outcomes

• understanding of the use of mathematics in modelling environmental and biological processes. This includes consideration of temporal and spacial aspects;
• understanding of the mathematical techniques required to analyse the models developed.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to deploy critically evaluated information to practical ends;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• The ability to evaluate that information;
• The ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately, cogently, coherently, creatively and ethically;
• The acquisition of coherent and disciplined sets of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics from at least one discipline area;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning, and to learn independently in a self directed manner;
• The ability to read complex and demanding texts accurately, critically and insightfully;
• The ability to generate, calculate, interpret and communicate numerical information in ways appropriate to a given discipline or discourse;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies.

Prerequisites:	MA2000
Corequisites:	MA3109
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	MA3605

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2011
Coord/Lect:	Dr Shaun Belward.
Contact hours:	39 hours lectures 13 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50% - 70%); other exams (% - 20%); assignments (30% - 50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.