Dynamics of Physiologically Structured Populations

In January, February and March 2006, Professor Mats Gyllenberg (Helsinki) will be visiting Utrecht University as F.C. Donders-professor. He will give a series of lectures on the

Dynamics of Physiologically Structured Populations

These lectures take place on wednesday 14.00 - 16.00 in room 107 A BBL, starting January 18 and presumably ending March 1 (there will be no lecture on February 8 because of a Dynamics of Patterns day in Amsterdam).

They are part of the MRI-Stieltjes Master Class 2005/2006 on

Finite and Infinite Dimensional Dynamical Systems

and are an activity of the NWO cluster

Nonlinear Dynamics of Natural Systems

For further information contact Odo Diekmann.

Summary

The time-evolution of a (physiologically) structured population can in a natural way be modelled as a nonlinear infinite dimensional dynamical system. In general, such systems are notoriously difficult to analyse. However, in population dynamics the nonlinearity corresponding to interaction between individuals is modelled, not as direct interaction, but as interaction through the environment. This makes the models more amenable to analysis.

The course starts with an account of the basic principles of modelling structured populations and will in the end bring the audience to the research frontier of the field of mathematical population theory. Topics include existence and uniqueness of solutions, steady-state analysis, stability and bifurcation theory, and adaptive dynamics.

Prerequisites for the course are a solid background in undergraduate mathematics (analysis, linear algebra, probability) and a genuine interest in population biology.