The Mathematics of Disease

Workshop 1 Monday 17th March, 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm

How is it that a simple mathematical model was behind one of the most important studies of AIDS? What can we find out about the HIV virus by using a mathematical model?

We'll begin with this simple example, and then look at how populations and diseases can be modelled with mathematics, and what kinds of equations can be used.

Workshop 2 Monday 31st March, 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm

How do populations grow? Can we use simple mathematical models to predict what a population, or a disease, will do in the future? What happens when populations, and diseases, interact with each other? What is chaos, and why should we care?

Workshop 3 Monday 7th April, , 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm

How do epidemics begin and spread? Can we use mathematical models to predict when an epidemic will occur, or how bad it will be? Can we tell how infectious a disease is using a mathematical model? What about vaccinations? When are they effective? How many people must be vaccinated?

Workshop 4 Monday 14th April, 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm

How has a mathematical model been used to prevent a measles outbreak in New Zealand? What does mathematics have to do with asthma? How can a mathematician study heart disease? Or leukemia? Or cancer?

Presented by Prof. James Sneyd

All interested teachers of mathematics - or people who are interested in teaching and learning mathematics.

Contact Dr Judy Paterson to enrol for any of the courses or to be put on the direct mailing list j.paterson@auckland.ac.nz or call 3737599 ext 88605.

Follow this link for more details on this workshop.

Judy Paterson