modeling from molecules to moose teaching students to develop agent-based simulations in biology...
DESCRIPTION
Goals Students in Simulation in Biology will: Gain a deep understanding of biological content and the connections among different fields in biology. Gain experience with use of simulation in science; hypothesis testing and predicting Make connections between mathematics, computer science, and biology Show increased ‘systems thinking’; understand ‘emergent properties’ of systemsTRANSCRIPT
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Modeling from molecules to moose
Teaching students to develop agent-based simulations in biology
Elizabeth F. Ryder1, Joseph R. Boyd1, Timothy B. Marsden1, Meagan E. Sullender1, Brian T. White2
1Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2UMass Boston
NSF TUES Award 1140672
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Motivation• Vision and Change in Undergraduate Education
(AAAS, 2010)• Biology should be taught more conceptually• Students need experience with modeling,
simulation, and systems approaches to biology.• Simulation in Biology course
• Agent-based modeling: systems approach• Similar concepts in different areas of biology:
ecology, cell biology, molecular biology• StarLogoTNG: Gentle introduction to
programming and simulation that is immediately relevant to biology
![Page 3: Modeling from molecules to moose Teaching students to develop agent-based simulations in biology Elizabeth F. Ryder 1, Joseph R. Boyd 1, Timothy B. Marsden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062413/5a4d1b307f8b9ab05999acf7/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
GoalsStudents in Simulation in Biology will:•Gain a deep understanding of biological content and the connections among different fields in biology. •Gain experience with use of simulation in science; hypothesis testing and predicting•Make connections between mathematics, computer science, and biology•Show increased ‘systems thinking’; understand ‘emergent properties’ of systems
![Page 4: Modeling from molecules to moose Teaching students to develop agent-based simulations in biology Elizabeth F. Ryder 1, Joseph R. Boyd 1, Timothy B. Marsden](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062413/5a4d1b307f8b9ab05999acf7/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Simulation in Biology class• Logistics
• Boot camp, practice simulation, project, blog• Class time mostly working in groups
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Student project: Schistosomiasis
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Evaluation, Dissemination & Acknowledgments
• Evaluation• Faculty development
• Implementation of Simulation in Biology at UMass Boston, Summer 2014
• Instructor is an ecologist with little programming background
• Dissemination ‘kit’• Tutorials, Boot camp problems, teacher’s guide• Practice projects with guidelines and code
• Acknowledgments• Eric Klopfer and colleagues, MIT• WPI students• NSF TUES Award