As in just about every other field, computers have become an essential part of biological research. Complicated algorithms and analyses that once took months of work by specialists are now available as Web services, and whole areas of study, such as genomics, can be pursued entirely in silico. But, even though most biologists know how to plug in their data and act on the output of computational tools, precious few understand the math that’s going on behind the scenes, as most bioscience degree programs don’t require computer science or any math more advanced than calculus.
Two papers in the latest issue of Science argue that that’s a bad thing. One focuses on the ability to represent the behavior of biological systems through algebraic notation, an area that’s badly neglected in both science and math education. The second focuses generally on the incorporation of biology-specific math and computer science into the education system. Both assume that the lack of a math background is a serious problem.
Originally Syndicated via RSS from Ars Technica
