Lecture, three hours; laboratory, two hours. Preparation: three years of high school mathematics (to algebra II), some basic familiarity with computers. Mathematical modeling as tool for understanding dynamics of biological systems. Fundamental concepts of single-variable calculus and development of single- and multi-variable differential equation models of dynamical processes in ecology, physiology, and other subjects in which quantities change with time. Use of free computer program Sage for problem solving, plotting, and dynamical simulation in laboratory. Letter grading.

Review Summary

Clarity
8.3 / 10
Organization
10.0 / 10
Time
10-15 hrs/week
Overall
10.0 / 10

Reviews

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A+

    Bennoun prepares you really well for the exams and the homework isn't overwhelmingly hard

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A+

    Easy A, but the coding labs can be really annoying so work with friends. Go to office hours! Don’t bother reading the textbook it’s pointless. Bennoun is so much better than Shevtov DO NOT TAKE SHEVTSOV!!!

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A+

    The content was a little weird, but the class was pretty easy.

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A-

    Bennoun was definitely the best of the lecturers in my opinion. He explains things relatively well, sometimes going a bit fast. The textbook doesn't really help, the slides and lecture will be the main source of info. The coding wasn't too bad in my opinion, but it really depends on how helpful your TA is. A bit of calc knowledge also is helpful, but I never took calc and still did fine.

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A+

    Though this class was challenging at times, it was very interesting and engaging. Professor Bennoun is a great lecturer and the material was presented well.

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A

    The slideshows are really helpful and you can look back at it to re-learn matieral.

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A+

    People I talked to who took it in the past said it was alright... It didn't feel alright during the first few weeks but eventually you get the hang of it. It just takes some time getting used to. It seems subjective sometimes, because you're applying math to biology. Overall, not my favorite class but it's honestly not that bad. Ask for help if you need it, that's the best thing you can do for yourself.

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A+

    Bennoun was a great lecturer d he was very organized. Practice midterms and finals that he posted were very helpful. Coding was the most difficult part, but still fairly manageable for someone with no previous coding experience.

    Quarter Taken: Fall 2023 In-Person
    Grade: A

    The lectures had all the information you needed to pass the tests. However, the math in the LS30 series is strange so you definitely need to spend some time with the information that you get from the lecture before you actually start to understand that. That being said, the actual math was very easy, just the conceptuality that will get to you.

Course

Instructor
Steven Bennoun
Previously taught
23F 22F 21F 21S 20F

Grading Information

  • No group projects

  • Attendance required

  • 1 midterm

  • Finals week final

  • 59% recommend the textbook

Previous Grades

Grade distributions not available.