620-151 Introduction to Biomedical Mathematics

VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4.

This subject develops elementary rules for manipulating matrices; concepts of basic functions of one variable; and basic procedures for the solution of differential equations and linear programming problems. Students should develop manipulative skills in the use of matrices and standard functions; the skills to find derivatives and antiderivatives of functions of one variable; an ability to apply these skills to word problems in bioscience. This subject demonstrates the sequential conceptual structure of the mathematics of functions and the value of differential equations in bioscience.

Matrices topics include row operations, systems of linear equations, graphical and matrix methods for linear programming; duality; and applications in bioscience. Calculus topics include functions of one real variable; differentiation and integration of standard functions; related rates of change; differential equations, including simple simultaneous equations and their applications to population dynamics and physiological systems; and numerical solution of differential equations.

Up to 24 pages of written assignments, a 3-hour end-of-semester written examination and class tests totalling not more than 1.5 hours.