Mathematical Models in Biology is an introductory book for readers interested in biological applications of mathematics and modeling in biology. A favorite in the mathematical biology community since its first publication in 1988, the book shows how relatively simple mathematics can be applied to a variety of models to draw interesting conclusions. Connections are made between diverse biological examples linked by common mathematical themes. A variety of discrete and continuous ordinary and partial differential equation models are explored. Although great advances have taken place in many of the topics covered, the simple lessons contained in the book are still important and informative. Shortly after its publication, the genomics revolution turned Mathematical Biology into a prominent area of interdisciplinary research. In this new millennium, biologists have discovered that mathematics is not only useful, but indispensable! As a result, there has been much resurgent interest in, and a huge expansion of, the fields collectively called mathematical biology. This book serves as a basic introduction to concepts in deterministic biological modeling.

This textbook grew out of a course that the highly respected applied mathematician Lee Segel taught at the Weizmann Institute. This book represents the unique perspective on mathematical biology of Segel and his co-author Leah Edelstein-Keshet (author of the popular SIAM book, Mathematical Models in Biology). It introduces differential equations, biological applications, and simulations, with emphasis on molecular events (biochemistry and enzyme kinetics), excitable systems (neural signals), and small protein and genetic circuits. The exposition combines clear and useful mathematical methods with plenty of applications to illustrate the power of such tools, along with many exercises in reasoning, modelling and simulation. The reader will also find suggestions for further study and appendices containing useful background material. These features make the book ideal for students at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level in both biology and mathematics who wish to experience the application of mathematical techniques to the biological sciences.