6533b854fe1ef96bd12afb8c

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Students' understanding of mathematical models in three norwegian biology courses

subject

description

International audience; Development in Biology over the last three decades have greatly increased the need for using mathematics in this field. This has influenced biology students which need to develop mathematical knowledge to be able to work with contemporary biology models, including frameworks that are applicable in analyzing the overwhelming flow of biological data (i.e. Labov, Reid & Yamamoto, 2010). Although a quantitative approach is often used in university biology courses, yet they remain largely qualitative and descriptive (Nelson, et. al., 2009). In Norwegian context, where this study will be conducted, there is an increased awareness towards mathematics from the Departments of Biology. However, there is a lack of information on students' understanding and usage of mathematics within this context. This poster addresses this issue with a particular focus on the use of mathematical models (MM) as dynamic tools that allows us to observe various aspects of students' understanding.