Hi all, I find this an interesting response given that the fundamental basis for creating and understanding statistical models. Linear regression is calculus of a form. Furthermore, creating the equations in spreadsheets (etc.) needed to handle big data, access and utilise hidden data and map data onto different geographical projections will all involve calculus.
I see this as a lack of understanding in just what calculus actually is. However, perhaps the point here is that a 'maths for biologists' course shouldn't focus on one branch of maths, but address the varied needs of model ecologists and biodiversity researchers. Cheers, Andrew -- Andrew Wright, Ph.D. VaquitaAreBrowncoats: Where Sci-Fi meets Science, the Cosmos meets Conservation and Firefly meets Flipper. Shiny https://www.facebook.com/vaquitaarebrowncoats. "We don't have to save the world. The world is big enough to look after itself. What we have to be concerned about is whether or not the world we live in will be capable of sustaining us in it." Douglas Adams GNU Terry Pratchett On 20 October 2016 at 12:03, David Inouye <[email protected]> wrote: > Posting this for Erik Piikkila [email protected] > > I would like to suggest that taking a calculus course may not be the best > use of a student's time. I think math and statistics are far more > important. > > Being able to count, measure and determine densities, abundance, cover > percentages, heights, and diameters are perhaps more important skills. > > Field orientation and navigation skills using maps, aerial photos, > satellite images, GPS, topography, geography and geology, are also perhaps > more important than calculus. > > > Perhaps more importantly, there are other courses or topics that should > occupy this time slot in one semester: > > > - Ecosystems of the World. How do local ecosystems fit in with other > ecosystems in the same region, continent, other continents. What are the > similarities, differences, types, species, disturbance regimes, changes and > threats > > > > - Systems Theory and Application > > > > - Interdisciplinary Research > > > > - Finding Data (Hidden & Forgotten) in Archives, Libraries, Research & > Experimental Sites, Theses & Online and look for Reports, Theses, > Newsletters, Photo collections, Maps, Aerial Photos, & Databases: > > > > - Tour Libraries & Archives at home institutions and view collections > of historic, recent and current research > > > > - Locate & Tour Local Community Archives & Museums > > > > - Locate & Tour State & Federal Libraries & Archives > > > > - Locate & Tour State & Federal Agency Archives: Dept of Interior > General Land Office Surveys 1812 - 1946 > > > > - Locate & Tour Corporate Libraries & Archives > > > > - Link the above data sources and locations of data with on the ground > research at research and experimental sites > > > > - Long Term Ecological Research Networks (https://lternet.edu/) & > National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) ( > http://www.neonscience.org/) > > > > - Big Data (http://harvardmagazine.com/2014/03/why-big-data-is-a-big- > deal) > > > > - Efficient Searches on Google and Google Scholar > > > > - Finding online sources of historic research and data > > > > - Satellite Imagery > > > > - Turn industrial scale data into ecological data > > > > - Using Farming and Agriculture data to study and describe changes to > prairie ecosystems and native grasslands > > > > > - Using forest harvesting and logging data to describe forested > landscape change that would compliment satellite imagery and extend the > data horizon beyond 1972 and into the early part of the 20th Century > > > > > - Forest harvesting and logging data can also be used to describe > biological legacies especially at the forest stand level > > > My comments are NOT meant to denigrate or devalue calculus in any way. > Some have suggested that calculus has only cropped up once in 20 years. As > a prime example of interdisciplinary research, a calculus expert could be > brought into the project if and when needed. > > > Erik Piikkila > > >
