Ateneo - UPO

The course aims at providing students with basic mathematical knowledge applied to biological problems.

Villani, Gentili: Matematica. Comprendere e interpretare fenomeni delle scienze della vita, Mc Graw Hill, 2012. Benedetto, Degli Esposti, Maffei: Matematica per le scienze della vita, C.Ed. Ambrosiana. Teaching materials on the University Moodle Platform.

Getting students to learn some elementary concepts and methods of mathematics useful to deal with the typical topics of the applications of mathematics to empirical science. Developing competences in order to solve simple math problems and to be able to effectively communicate the obtained results.

Basic competencies in Mathematics achieved during the High School.

Lectures, training sessions, activities by means of the University Platform.

Learning monitoring: workshops and activities also supported by the use of the Moodle platform of the University. These activities have an educational goal: they are discussed and corrected with the students.

The exam consists of written examinations and a possible oral discussion. The written exam can last about 75 min and consists of a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 7 items. The score of each exercise is written in the text. The items require to know and to be able to use knowledge in problem solving situations related to the contents stated in the course program. It is required to justify statements and answers in order to check the skills related to the ability to communicate and argue in mathematics. During the exam the students can use textbooks and papery personal notes.
During the course special online evaluation tests are carried out. The appropriate solution of such tests will be considered for the final evaluation.

1. Number systems. Approximations. Percentages. Equations and inequalities. 2. Analytic geometry: Cartesian coordiante system, straight lines and conics. Linear systems. 3. Real functions, graphs, links between graphs and formulas. Trigonometric functions and examples of periodic phenomena. Examples of exponential and logarithmic growth. Function composition. Curves intersections. Limits and continuity. 4. Derivatives. Continuity and differentiability. Derivatives of elementary functions and their graphical representation. Increasing and decreasing functions, maxima and minima of a function. Study of function. Applications of differential calculus. 5. Primitives. Integrals. Fundamental theorem of calculus. Applications of integration.

-Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of some basic concepts and methods of mathematics, in particular: real numbers and their representations, main elementary functions, derivative and its geometric interpretation, simple integrals and calculation of areas.
- Applying knowledge and understanding: ability at applying these concepts and methods in the medialization of simple problems (e.g., percentage variations) and in the interpretation of graphs.
-Making judgements: ability at realizing potential and limits of the concepts and methods adopted.
-Communication skills: ability at communicating the description and the motivations of one's own solution procedures in a clear and complete fashion.
- Learning skills: ability to use the educational materials for a critical and reflective study.