MA3264 —– Mathematical Modeling

(Semester 1 2013/2014)


Lecturer: Weizhu BAO

Office: S17 #08-18;

Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00am–10:00am and Friday 9:00am-10:00am or by appointment at S17 #08-18.

Phone: 6516-2765(o); E-mail: matbaowz@nus.edu.sg

Course Web: https://blog.nus.edu.sg/matbwz/ma3264-mathematical-modeling/


Lecture time/venue: Tuesday 10:00am–12:00nn and Friday 10:00am-12:00nn at LT22.

Weekly lecture schedule

Tutorial time/venue :

  • Group 1: Monday 4:00pm–5:00pm at S17, #04-05
  • Group 2: Wednesday 10:00am–11:00am at S17, #05-12
  • Group 3: Tuesday 12:00–13:00 at S16, #03-07

Weekly tutorial schedule


Textbooks and References:

  • Mathematical Modeling in a Real and Complex World.
  • A First Course in Mathematical Modeling (4th edition), 2009, by F. R. Giordano, W. P. Fox, S. B. Horton and M. D. Weir. Publisher: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company (ISBN-10: 049555877X; ISBN-13: 9780495558774).
  • Modeling with Ordinary Differential Equations , 1993, by T.P. Dreyer. Publisher: CRC Press. More Reference Books

Course Outline: The objective of this course is to introduce the use of mathematics as an effective tool in solving real-world problems through mathematical modelling and analytical and/or numerical computations. By using examples in physical, engineering, biological and social sciences, we show how to convert real-world problems into mathematical equations through proper assumptions and physical laws. Qualitative analysis and analytical solutions for some models will be provided to interpret and explain qualitative and quantitative phenomena of the real-world problems. Major topics: Introduction of modelling; dynamic (or ODE) models: population models, pendulum motion; electrical networks, chemical reaction, etc; optimization and discrete models: profit of company, annuity, etc; probability models: president election poll, random walk, etc; Model analysis: dimensional analysis, equilibrium and stability, bifurcation, etc; and some typical applications. Detail Outline


Grading: The course grade will be calculated as follows: Final exam: 50%; Howework Assignments: 35%; Modeling Project: 10%; and Tutorials: 5%.

Schedule of tests:

  • Final exam ( Open Book): December 3, 2013 AM paper (9:00—11:00am) at LT26.

Homework Assignments: click here for assignments


This course outline is available on web site:                      https://blog.nus.edu.sg/matbwz/ma3264-mathematical-modeling/