Albion College Mathematics and Computer Science Colloquium



Title: Building Better Biological Models
Speaker:Elizabeth Skubak Wolf
Assistant Professor
Mathematics and Computer Science
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN
Abstract: Randomness is inherent in many biological processes, from the dynamics of the populations in an ecosystem down to the systems of biochemical reactions occurring within a single cell. Therefore, when trying to analyze these processes, we might consider using a stochastic model — that is, one that includes some form of randomness.

Can stochastic models behave significantly differently from deterministic models? (Yes!) What might a stochastic model look like? How exactly does one use a stochastic model to say anything useful? We'll look at a few biological examples, introduce a particular stochastic model called a Markov chain, and see how, using a tool called Monte Carlo simulation, we can gain some insight into the biological systems we model.
Location: Palenske 227
Date:10/22/2015
Time: 3:30 PM



@abstract{MCS:Colloquium:ElizabethSkubakWolf:2015:10:22,
author  = "{Elizabeth Skubak Wolf}",
title   = "{Building Better Biological Models}",
address = "{Albion College Mathematics and Computer Science Colloquium}",
month   = "{22 October}",
year    = "{2015}"
}