Mathematics for the life sciences : calculus, modeling, probability, and dynamical systems /

It is a cliche that biology has now become a mathematical science. The question facing mathematics and biology departments is what mathematics should be taught to undergraduates. Some believe that biology students should take the same calculus course as other science students. Others would start students with discrete mathematics and computational models. Those with a traditional view hold that mathematics scares students and would push for a mathematics course that stresses the applications of mathematics to biology. Ledder (Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln) opts for the traditional view, choosing to cover the applicable areas of "calculus, modeling, probability, and dynamical systems," as the subtitle indicates. He does a superb job of explaining these techniques in a mere 400 pages. To do so, he has to suppress proofs and complicating details. The examples and problems are drawn from the biological modeling literature with an eye to simplicity and to the explication of the mathematical technique being discussed. The author's website also includes suggestions for using computer mathematical packages like Maple and his BUGBOX simulator. This is an ideal text for novice students, enabling them to learn techniques that have immediate applicability. The section on modeling will, hopefully, answer the question, "Why should I study mathematics?" Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates. P. Cull Oregon State University