Mathematical Modeling in Life Sciences

This textbook serves as an introduction to mathematical modeling of complex living systems. The authors introduce undergraduate students to modeling real-world biological processes with differential equations, dynamical systems, and data-driven analysis. Through hands-on projects and case studies, students will learn to apply mathematical methods and numerical simulations to understand complex living systems, from predator-prey dynamics to cancer virotherapy. Covering a wide range of topics and featuring practical MATLAB(R) simulations, the book also provides guidance on fitting models to real data and conducting parameter sensitivity analysis. The authors emphasize the power of mathematics and mathematical modeling in providing a deeper understanding of biological processes and in testing a variety of hypotheses. Through a practical project-based approach, readers will explore real-world scenarios to help apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. In addition, the steps of the modeling process including sensitivity analysis, numerical simulations, model predictions, and biological interpretations are provided. The book is well-suited for upper-undergraduate coursework or independent study and serves as a valuable resource for those aspiring to be researchers and practitioners in the life sciences. In addition, this book: Equips readers with the tools and skills needed to explore and predict biological phenomena Provides step-by-step theoretical guidance and relevant MATLAB codes for students to learn to handle real-world data Introduces different modeling approaches using differential equations and dynamical systems