EEB430/1430
Mathematical modelling in ecology and evolution


Mathematics is central to science because it provides a rigorous way to go from a set of assumptions to their logical consequences. In ecology & evolution this might be how we think a virus will spread and evolve, how climate change will impact a threatened population, or how much genetic diversity we expect to see in a randomly mating population. In this course you'll learn how to build, analyze, and interpret mathematical models of increasing complexity through readings, lectures, homeworks, computer labs, and a final project. Our focus is on deterministic dynamical models (recursions and differential equations) but we'll also touch on probability theory and stochastic simulations near the end.

Please see the University of Toronto Academic Calendar for more details on the course prerequisites and additional information on the distribution/breadth requirements this course satisfies.

Last taught: Fall 2022

Next taught: Fall 2024