Introduction To Research Methods

Computer modeling is now an integral part of research in evolutionary biology. The advent of increased processing power in the personal computer, coupled with the availability of languages such as R, SPLUS, Mathematica, Maple, Mathcad, and MATLAB, has ensured that the development and analysis of computer models of evolution is now within the capabilities of most graduate students.

This introductory graduate text is based on a graduate course the author has taught repeatedly over the last twenty or so years to students in applied mathematics, engineering sciences, and physics. Each chapter begins with an introductory development involving ordinary differential equations, and goes on to cover more advanced topics such as systems and partial differential equations. Moreover, it also contains material arising from current research interest, including homogenisation, slender body theory, symbolic computing, and discrete equations. Many of the excellent exercises are derived from problems of up-to-date research and are drawn from a wide range of application areas.