Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - MATH 154 D400

Mathematics for the Life Sciences I (3)

Class Number: 4482

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Surrey

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 5, 2025
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    Pre-Calculus 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C-, or MATH 110 with a grade of at least C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Designed for students specializing in the life sciences. Topics include: limits, growth rate and the derivative; elementary functions, optimization and approximation methods, and their applications, integration, and differential equations; mathematical models of biological processes and their implementation and analysis using software. Students with credit for either MATH 150, 151 or 157 may not take MATH 154 for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Using mathematics and statistics to describe and analyze the living world is necessary for addressing scientific questions ranging from sports medicine to climate change. This course is an applications-oriented introduction to the use of calculus in the life sciences. After an initial discussion of mathematical functions and their uses in life science modelling, derivatives and their relevant applications will be covered, and integrals and differential equations will be introduced. The course focuses on interpretation and understanding while building calculation skills. Details of subject matter are in the schedule (subject to change). Regardless of your background in mathematics or previous experiences, the aim of this course is to provide you with a non-traditional approach to mathematics through our shared interest in the natural world.

Class Schedule (subject to change):
  • Functions & Graphs
  • Polynomials
  • Exp & Log
  • Half Life 
  • Log Plots
  • Transformations
  • Discrete Functions
  • Continuity & Limits
  • Limit Rules
  • Introduction to Derivatives
  • Plotting Derivatives
  • The Power Rule
  • The Product/Quotient Rule
  • The Chain Rule
  • Derivatives of Biological Functions
  • The 2nd Derivative
  • Extrema
  • Inflection Points
  • Optimization
  • Numerical Roots
  • Differential Equations
  • Equilibria
  • Reimann Sums
  • The Definite Integral
  • Fundamental Theorom of Calculus
  • Integrals of Biological Functions
  • Solving ODES

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

• Describe phenomena in the natural world with functions. Learn to use these functions to answer scientific questions.
• The biological world is about change. Derivatives describe change. Use derivatives to investigate the dynamical world.
• Use differential equations to describe the dynamical natural world.
• Apply methods to integrate biological functions and solve for those functions from differential equations.

Grading

  • In-Class Polls 10%
  • Written Assignments 10%
  • Online Assignments 10%
  • Midterms x 3 (15% each) 45%
  • Final Exam 25%

NOTES:

THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION.
Students should be aware that they have certain rights to confidentiality concerning the return of course papers and the posting of marks.
Please pay careful attention to the options discussed in class at the beginning of the semester.

REQUIREMENTS:

This course is delivered in person, on campus. Should public health guidelines recommend limits on in person gatherings, this course may include virtual meetings. As such, all students are recommended to have access to strong and reliable internet, the ability to scan documents (a phone app is acceptable) and access to a webcam and microphone (embedded in a computer is sufficient).

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

iClicker Student Account and a mobile device for in-class participation.

REQUIRED READING:

Biocalculus: Calculus, Probability, and Statistics for the Life Sciences
James Stewart, Troy Day
Cengage, 2016

Students purchase a multi-term WebAssign licence from the SFU Bookstore which includes access to the electronic version of the textbook and WebAssign assignment access. WebAssign assignments are part of the marking scheme for the course.

Purchasing a hard copy of this text without WebAssign will require the addtional purchase of WebAssign access.
ISBN: 9781337823708

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.