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}"
}