Spatial Ecology
MATH 599 / SCCC 412A / BIOL 703, Spring 2003
Tu 4:30-5:45, Th 3:30-4:45, CLS 202 (except for 2/20, 3/20, 4/15)

Professor Matt Miller
miller@math.sc.edu
Department of Mathematics
University of South Carolina

  • VIGRE MINICOURSE
    The Mathematics Behind Biological Invasions
    June 2-13, 2003
    The University of Utah
    Department of Mathematics

    With support from a National Science Foundation VIGRE grant, the Mathematics department at the University of Utah will host a two-week minicourse on the Mathematics of Biological Invasions. Biological invasions are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and ecosystem function, and are also among the largest perturbation experiments our species has tried. This minicourse will examine the many ways that mathematical models have been used to make sense of this important and interesting problem.

    Speakers:
    Fred Adler, University of Utah
    Mark Lewis, University of Alberta
    Mike Neubert, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

    During the first week, Dr. Lewis and Dr. Adler will present lectures on the spread and ecology of invasions. During the second week, Dr. Neubert will present more advanced lectures on invasions and biocomplexity, and other speakers will present the biological background on emerging problems like West Nile virus. Afternoons during the first week will be given over to problem sessions, led by postdoctoral fellow Nancy Sundell. During the second week, students will work on projects to be presented on the final day.

    Applications should be submitted to Sarah Strong (strong@math.utah.edu, 801-581-8341, fax 801-581-4148) by March 1, 2003. Financial support is available for US citizens and permanent residents.

  • MODELS THAT CAN MAKE QUANTITATIVELY ACCURATE PREDICTIONS
    Rocky Mountain Mathematics Consortium Summer Conference
    July 7-18, 2003
    University of Wyoming
    Department of Mathematics

    Talks will be given by Professors R. F. Costantino (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Arizona), Brian Dennis (Division of Statistics, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho), and Aaron King (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee), under the general title Discrete Dynamical Systems & Their Applications to Population Dynamics They aim to demonstrate three big ideas: (1) mathematical models can really "work" in ecology (i.e. make quantitatively accurate descriptions and predictions); (2) theoretical predictions of mathematical models (even quite complicated and/or subtle predictions) can be documented in real biological populations; and (3) mathematical models can offer explanations of dynamic patterns that were previously unavailable to biologists.

    Participation is by application only; money is available to support graduate students.

  • A COURSE IN SPAIN
    Scales in Mathematical and Theoretical Ecology
    August 25 - September 3
    Siguenza, Spain

    A Summer School on Mathematical Ecology will be held in Sigenza, Spain, August 25 - September 3, 2003. The school will feature aspects of models and methods in ecology where the scale is an issue: energy budgets, evolutionary aspects of aggregation, particle coagulation and flocculation in the sea, fish schooling and animal aggregation -- in short from individuals to ecosystems. It will also provide training on subjects of general interest: dynamical systems, fractals, aggregation of variables and a tutorial on computer simulations and software platforms for IBMs. The progression of the courses will be adjusted in such a way that most classes can be attended both by ecologists willing to improve their background in mathematics and mathematicians with the same desire for ecology.

  • NIH SHORT COURSES AT UTK
    Short Courses on the Mathematics of Biological Complexity
    University of Tennessee, TIEM

    Course 1: Introduction to the Mathematics of Biological Complexity
    March 30 - April 2, 2003

    Course 2: Optimal Control Theory in Application to Biology
    July 9 - 12, 2003

    Course 3: Modeling the evolutionary genetics of complex phenotypes: a hierarchical approach from sequences to populations
    August 24 - 27, 2003 (Tentative)

    Significant financial support is available to cover lodging, travel and registration expenses for attendees from non-profit institutions. Potential attendees are urged to apply to attend any of these courses as soon as possible.

    Louis J. Gross (Short Course Director)
    gross@tiem.utk.edu

  • JOINT CONFERENCE MPD-DESTOBIO 2004
    The 7th Conference on Mathematical Population Dynamics (MPD) and the 3rd Conference on Deterministic and Stochastic Models for Biological Interactions (DeStoBio)
    June 21 to 25, 2004
    Trento, Italy

    Topics of the conference will be the use of mathematical models in different areas of biology, especially ecology (including epidemic spread) cell population dynamics (including immunology, tumour growth) and molecular biology (including molecular evolution and genetics, genomics). The Conference will consist of plenary lectures, sessions on some of the topics outlined above, plus contributed talks and posters. Everybody is invited to suggest proposals for sessions in related areas any time before January 1, 2004. A proposal form will be made available on the Web page. A second announcement including plenary speakers, deadlines, and some logistic details will appear in the Summer of 2003. For any information or suggestion, or to be included in our mailing list, please contact the members of the Organizing Committee or send an e-mail to dbio-mpd@science.unitn.it .
    • Last modified: April 14, 2003