This introductory textbook on mathematical biology focuses on discrete models across a variety of biological subdisciplines. Biological topics treated include linear and non-linear models of populations, Markov models of molecular evolution, phylogenetic tree construction, genetics, and infectious disease models. The coverage of models of molecular evolution and phylogenetic tree construction from DNA sequence data is unique among books at this level. Computer investigations with MATLAB are incorporated throughout, in both exercises and more extensive projects, to give readers hands-on experience with the mathematical models developed. MATLAB programs accompany the text. Mathematical tools, such as matrix algebra, eigenvector analysis, and basic probability, are motivated by biological models and given self-contained developments, so that mathematical prerequisites are minimal.

'… many institutions, like mine, are looking into ways of adding a mathematical modeling component into the undergraduate curriculum for general biology students. This book will be a great asset to these institutions … a very interesting and challenging book for undergraduate students with a strong interest in biology …'.

Mei Zhu - Pacific Lutheran University

'I found this book interesting since many institutions, like mine, are looking into ways of adding a mathematical modeling component into the undergraduate curriculum for general biology students. This book will be a great asset to these institutions … Overall, this is a very interesting and challenging book for undergraduate students with a strong interest in biology, but not necessarily with a calculus background. Students with a strong mathematical background will also benefit from this book … This book is also a good reference book for biologists who are interested in learning mathematical modeling or integrating it into teaching their undergraduate biology courses.'

Mei Zhu - Pacific Lutheran University

'… eminently suitable for their target undergraduate audiences and, indeed, for anyone curious to learn more about this increasingly important and undeniably exciting area of applied mathematics.'

Source: The Mathematical Gazette

'… an attractive introduction to the modeling of biological processes at a very elementary level.'

Source: Zentralblatt MATH

'This is an attractive introduction into the modelling of biological processes at a very elementary level. … Many exercises motivate the reader to acquire a deeper understanding of the topics treated. Also a substantial number of MATLAB projects are suggested to give the students hands-on experience.'

Source: Monatshefte für Mathematik