Mathematical Methods for Molecular Science

It is widely acknowledged that the traditional calculus sequence required of most molecular science majors, consisting of a year of differential and integral calculus and possibly a semester of multivariate calculus, does not provide the mathematical background needed for success in the quantum mechanics and statistical thermodynamics courses that follow. Mathematical Methods for Molecular Science is designed to support a one semester course that builds on the introductory calculus sequence and covers critical topics in multivariate calculus, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, harmonic analysis, linear algebra, and group theory. The development and distribution of this text was supported in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation (CHE-1900416).



The first edition of this text will be published by University Science Books in Summer 2022. A list of errata and revisions for Version 2.0 are available.



Supplement on Kinetic Models of Infectious Disease


A separate Supplement on Kinetic Models of Infectious Disease explores the application of linear differential equations used to model physical kinetics to the modeling and analysis of infectious disease epidemics.  The SIR and SEIR epidemiological models of the spread of infectious disease are developed and applied to a variety of epidemics including the influenza epidemic of 1918 and the coronavirus epidemic of 2019 (Covid-19).  The parameters of each model are varied to explore the impact of social distancing, reproduction number, and herd immunity on the course of an epidemic.  Exponential and power-law models of growth are contrasted and related to characteristics of the underlying network of social contacts. 


Download Version 2.0 (June 2020)








Mathematical Methods through Dance


Evolve Dynamicz is a dance collective established by Lisa Costello and Nicole Zizzi with the hope of creating a repertoire to share their mutual passions for life and movement. Mathematical Methods is a collaborative project with Evolve in which choreography is developed to provide a kinesthetic interpretation of the mathematical principles explored in Mathematical Methods for Molecular Science.  The project has led to a live performance of “Extrema” at NACHMO 2020 and the film “SIR Models of Infectious Disease.”


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