2026
Mathematical Modelling in Biology
Name: Mathematical Modelling in Biology
Code: MAT13611M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Mathematics
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
To give an overview of various mathematical models used in Biology emphasizing the biological background of the system under study, and different sampling methods for animal abundance estimation and related parameters.
To provide quantitative and qualitative methodologies with solid and adequate skills.
To develop ability for abstraction, creative intuition, model building, and critical thinking.
To develop ability for interdisciplinary and integrated reasoning.
To learn and apply general sampling and estimation principles.
To be able to evaluate and criticize misuses of wildlife sampling methods.
To be acquaintance with different areas of applications and proper use of specific software.
To provide quantitative and qualitative methodologies with solid and adequate skills.
To develop ability for abstraction, creative intuition, model building, and critical thinking.
To develop ability for interdisciplinary and integrated reasoning.
To learn and apply general sampling and estimation principles.
To be able to evaluate and criticize misuses of wildlife sampling methods.
To be acquaintance with different areas of applications and proper use of specific software.
Contents
1. Introduction to population and ecosystem modelling.
2. Mathematical population growth models, with demography and structured.
3. Genetic, Epidemiological, Spatial dispersion and Natural resources modelling.
4. Ecosystem modelling (competition, predation, etc.)
5. Estimating demographic parameters (abundance, survival, recruitment rates, etc.)
6. Distance, Capture-Recapture sampling, and combined models.
7. Parameter estimation in Community Dynamics.
2. Mathematical population growth models, with demography and structured.
3. Genetic, Epidemiological, Spatial dispersion and Natural resources modelling.
4. Ecosystem modelling (competition, predation, etc.)
5. Estimating demographic parameters (abundance, survival, recruitment rates, etc.)
6. Distance, Capture-Recapture sampling, and combined models.
7. Parameter estimation in Community Dynamics.
Teaching Methods
A mixture of theoretical and practical lectures on the blackboard and with support of e-learning tools and visual aids. Introductory concepts are given using real examples of different areas of applications to show the relevance of programmatic contents. Structured expository classes, exemplification, autonomous resolution of problems (with tutorial support). Exercises focusing on problem solving strategies to motivate students and to show the methodological utility. Analysis and criticism of a scientific paper and/or small Project to be done by the students.
Attendance, classroom participation and continued students assessments are encouraged.
The continuous evaluation is made with various homework assignments (50%) and a final project (50%). Sometimes homework and the final project may be done in group. The final project should be presented in a written and oral form in the classroom. The project iis compulsive for the evaluation by exam (final grade=50% exam+50 project).
Attendance, classroom participation and continued students assessments are encouraged.
The continuous evaluation is made with various homework assignments (50%) and a final project (50%). Sometimes homework and the final project may be done in group. The final project should be presented in a written and oral form in the classroom. The project iis compulsive for the evaluation by exam (final grade=50% exam+50 project).
Accreditations and Certifications
