In 2004, Joel Cohen published a paper in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Biology, titled
“Mathematics is Biology’s Next Microscope, only Better; Biology is Mathematics’ Next Physics,
Only Better”. The premise of the article was that in the near future there will be an explosion in
both math and biology as the two develop a similar synergistic relationship to the one that exists
between math and physics. The article goes on to hint that the computer will play a very large role
in this revolution, pushing mathematicians to confront the complexity and unpredictable nature of
biology, and pushing biologists to become more comfortable with the rigor of mathematics.
In recent years, the life sciences have embraced simulation as an important tool in biomedical research. Engineers are also using simulation as a powerful step in the design process. In both arenas, Matlab has become the gold standard. It is easy to learn, flexible, and has a large and growing userbase. MATLAB for Engineering and the Life Sciences is a self-guided tour of the basic functionality of MATLAB along with the functions that are most commonly used in biomedical engineering and other life sciences. Although the text is written for undergraduates, graduate students and academics, those in industry may also find value in learning MATLAB through biologically inspired examples. For instructors, the book is intended to take the emphasis off of learning syntax so that the course can focus more on algorithmic thinking. Although it is not assumed that the reader has taken differential equations or a linear algebra class, there are short introductions to many of these concepts. Following a short history of computing, the MATLAB environment is introduced. Next, vectors and matrices are discussed, followed by matrix-vector operations. The core programming elements of MATLAB are introduced in three successive chapters on scripts, loops, and conditional logic. The last three chapters outline how to manage the input and output of data, create professional quality graphics and find and use Matlab toolboxes. Throughout, biomedical examples are used to illustrate MATLAB's capabilities.
Table of Contents: Introduction / Matlab Programming Environment / Vectors / Matrices / Matrix -- Vector Operations / Scripts and Functions / Loops / Conditional Logic / Data In, Data Out / Graphics / Toolboxes