BM5063: Mathematical Physiology & Systems Medicine
BM5063: Mathematical Physiology & Systems Medicine
Course Details
Credits: 3
Segment: 1-6 of Jan-Apr '2024-25
Schedule and venue: Slot-A (Mon 09:00-09:55, Wed 11:00-11:55, Thu 10:00-10:55) in BT/BM-118
Discussion hour: TBD
Evaluation: 6 exams + 1 project
20th January (10%)
06th February (10%)
26th February (10%)
24th March (10%)
09th April (10%)
01st May (20%)
Project (30%)
Books
Mathematical physiology by Keener and Sneyd (Vol-II)
Systems Medicine by Uri Alon
Some research papers which will be give in in the class
This course is for students with some background in mathematical modelling and interest in physiology and medicine. The course explores the human physiology from a mathematical perspective. It integrates mathematical modelling, systems biology, and clinical applications to understand the physiological and pathological processes underlying human health and disease. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, case studies, and practical modelling exercises, students will gain a deep understanding of how mathematical tools can be used to analyse physiological systems, identify disease mechanisms, and design personalised medical interventions.
The tentative contents for the course are
Introduction to mathematical modeling approaches, analytical techniques and numerical methods
Blood glucose regulation, and type-1 and type-2 diabetes, insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance
Endocrine system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and HPT axes, hormonal oscillations, hyperthyroidism
Immune system, autoimmune diseases, inflammation,
Ocular physiology, photo-receptor functions, light adaptation, lateral inhibition,
Cochlear mechano-physiology, resonance in hair cells, frequency tuning
Logistics
Assignments: The course has no assignments. Instead, practice problems will be given at regular intervals. Students are not expected to submit the answers to these problems
Answers/solutions to the practice problems will not be provided. Students are encouraged to utilise the discussion hour to discuss the problems if they want to.
Exams: There are 6 exams scheduled (roughly) at the end of each segment. See above for dates.
Course policies
Attendance: Attendance is not mandatory in the classes.
Missing exams: On missing an exam due to a medical emergency you will be allowed to write a make-up exam on producing a medical certificate from the institute health center. Missing the exam due to any other reason will result in no marks.
Use of unfair means (e.g. plagiarism, copying etc.) is unacceptable in the course. Any sign of it will result in a severe penalty.
Some suggestions
The best way to follow the course is to work out the details of the topics discussed in each class by yourself after the class.
There will be one discussion hour each week for clarification of doubts and practice problems. Take advantage of that.
You have to take the practice problems seriously and solve them on your own. In case you are facing difficulty, you can come and meet the instructor during the discussion hour