Abstract

Citation

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Lofgren, E. (2023). 2016-Lofgren-EtAl-Equations of the End Teaching Mathematical Modeling Using the Zombie Apocalypse. SIMIODE, QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/TQZP-QN44

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Article Context

Description

Lofgren, Eric T., Kristy M. Collins, Tara C. Smith, and Reed A. Cartwright. 2016. Equations of the End: Teaching Mathematical Modeling Using the Zombie Apocalypse. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. 17(1): 137-142.

See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4798798/ . Accessed 28 March 2023.

From the Introduction, “Mathematical models of infectious diseases are a valuable tool in understanding the mechanisms and patterns of disease transmission. It is, however, a difficult subject to teach, requiring both mathematical expertise and extensive subject-matter knowledge of a variety of disease systems. In this article, we explore several uses of zombie epidemics to make mathematical modeling and infectious disease epidemiology more accessible to public health professionals, students, and the general public. We further introduce a web-based simulation, White Zed (http://cartwrig.ht/apps/whitezed/), that can be deployed in classrooms to allow students to explore models before implementing them. In our experience, zombie epidemics are familiar, approachable, flexible, and an ideal way to introduce basic concepts of infectious disease epidemiology.”

Keywords: differential equation, model, Zombie, disease, infectious, system