Mathematical-Biological Seminar - MS107021

• Title: Mathematical-Biological Seminar
• Czech title: Matematicko-biologický seminář
• Form of teaching: seminar
• Guaranteed by: Department of Philosophy and History of Science (31-107)
• Faculty: Faculty of Science
• Actual: from 2025
• Duration in semesters: 1
• Semester: both
• E-Credits: 2
• Hours per week, examination: 0/2, MC [HT]
• Capacity: unlimited
• Maximum number of enrolled students: unlimited
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: yes
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Additional information: https://matbio.natur.cuni.cz/home
• Note: enabled for web enrollment; you can enroll for the course in winter and in summer semester
• Guarantor: Mgr. Jindřich Brejcha, Ph.D.; Karolína Korvasová, M.Sc., Dr. rer. nat.
• Teacher(s): Mgr. Jindřich Brejcha, Ph.D.; Karolína Korvasová, M.Sc., Dr. rer. nat.

Annotation

The Mathematical-Biological Seminar aims to bring together students and researchers from Biology and Mathematics by participation in interesting lectures.

The seminar is every Tuesday at 13:00 at Faculty of Science, Charles University, Dpt. Philosophy and History of Science, room p26 (ground floor, from the entrance to the building to the right), Viničná 7, Prague 2

Updates and abstract of upcoming talks together with ZOOM link provided each week at: https://www.math.cas.cz/index.php/events/seminar/14

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the organizers [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Last update: Brejcha Jindřich, Mgr., Ph.D. (31.08.2023)

Literature

d'Arcy, W. Thompson. On growth and form. Cambridge university press, 1942

Edelstein-Keshet, Leah. Mathematical models in biology. Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, 2005.

Kauffman, Stuart A. The origins of order: Self-organization and selection in evolution. Oxford University Press, USA, 1993.

Maturana, Humberto R., and Francisco J. Varela. The tree of knowledge: The biological roots of human understanding. New Science Library/Shambhala Publications, 1987.

Müller, Gerd B., and Stuart A. Newman. Origination of organismal form: the forgotten cause in evolutionary theory. na, 2003.

Murray, James D. Mathematical Biology: I. An Introduction. Vol. 17. Springer Science & Business Media, 2007.

Murray, James D. Mathematical Biology: II: Spatial Models and Biomedical Applications. Vol. 3. New York: springer, 2003.

Otto, Sarah P., and Troy Day. A biologist's guide to mathematical modeling in ecology and evolution. Princeton University Press, 2007.

Strogatz, Steven H. Nonlinear dynamics and chaos with student solutions manual: With applications to physics, biology, chemistry, and engineering. CRC press, 2018.

Ross, Don, James Ladyman, David Spurrett, and John Collier. "Everything must go. Metaphysics naturalized." (2006).

Last update: Brejcha Jindřich, Mgr., Ph.D. (31.08.2023)

Course assessment methods and requirements for successful completion, grading scheme

The only condition to successfully finish this course is attending the seminar. To be active during post-lecture discussions is very welcome.

Last update: Brejcha Jindřich, Mgr., Ph.D. (31.08.2023)

Syllabus

The program of the seminar is published at the beginning of each semester. The individual talks focus on various aspects of biology while presenting various theoretical aspects via mathematical methods. Suggestions for prospective speakers are welcome. Also, if any of the participants would like to present hers/his own work we would be grateful for such an effort.

Traditionally seminar focuses on ideas proposed by Alan Turing (emergence of spatial patterns). However, other morphological, ecological, and evolutionary models, and their application in biology, medicine, ecology, and evolutionary biology are considered.

The main aim of the seminar is to bring closer students and researchers of biology and mathematics and introduce novel research in the field of mathematical biology to students. No specific knowledge of formal aspects of the methods is required, even though in it may be helpful to understand some more advanced talks. However, even beginners (especially those interested to deepen their understanding of theoretical biology and mathematical approaches to study organic life) are very welcome.

The only condition to successfully finish this course is attending the seminar. To be active during post-lecture discussions is very welcome.

Program for the summer semester 2024 will be announced soon. The seminars will be at 13:00 every Tuesday on these dates:

20/2 2024
27/2 2024
5/3 2024
12/3 2024
19/3 2024
26/3 2024
2/4 2024
9/4 2024
16/4 2024
23/4 2024
30/4 2024
7/5 2024
14/5 2024
21/5 2024

Last update: Brejcha Jindřich, Mgr., Ph.D. (12.01.2024)

Learning outcomes

Learning Outcomes – Mathematical–Biological Seminar

Upon successful completion of this seminar, the student will be able to:

1. Describe major conceptual approaches used in mathematical biology, including pattern formation, self-organization, and dynamical systems, as presented in seminar lectures.

2. Explain how mathematical models are used to address biological questions in areas such as morphology, ecology, development, and evolution.

3. Interpret basic mathematical ideas and results presented in biological case studies, even without detailed knowledge of the underlying formalism.

4. Discuss the biological meaning, assumptions, and limitations of selected mathematical models introduced during the seminar.

5. Compare different modeling approaches applied to similar biological problems and identify their respective strengths and weaknesses.

6. Relate seminar topics to classical and contemporary literature in theoretical and mathematical biology.

7. Formulate informed questions and comments during post-lecture discussions, demonstrating active engagement with the presented material.

8. Synthesize ideas from biology and mathematics to articulate how theoretical approaches can contribute to understanding biological phenomena.

9. Communicate complex interdisciplinary concepts clearly and coherently in oral discussion with peers and lecturers.

Last update: Brejcha Jindřich, Mgr., Ph.D. (30.01.2026)