Ecology, evolution and epidemiology

Diploma(s)

Master ICFP

M2 ICFP

Spring semester

Level Master 2 3 ECTS - English

Cours en option pour le parcours de Soft matter and biological physics M2

Instructor(s) Thierry Mora ( ENS-PSL CNRS ) Claud LOVERDO ( CNRS )

Education office

enseignement@phys.ens.fr

In this course we will cover the basics of ecology, evolution, and epidemiology, with the lens and tools of physics.

We will show how concepts from nonlinear physics, stochastic processes, complex networks, random matrix theory and disordered systems can be leveraged to understand the complex dynamics of biological populations.

Whenever relevant, we will discuss experimental approaches and results to illustrate the covered topics, from epidemiological data and genomics to experiments of laboratory evolution of yeast and bacteria.

Syllabus

The course will cover :

models of molecular evolution and their stochastic dynamics ;
the neutral model of evolution ;
models of rapidly adapting populations ; Lokta-Voltera models of ecology and their generalizations ;
basic models of epidemiology (SEIR, etc) as well as their extension to structured populations.

Prerequisites

Stochastic processes; equilibrium statistical mechanics.

Evaluation

The exam will be a paper assignment where students working in small groups will present an article during an oral presentation.