Problem 1: Edelstein-Keshet, p.108, Problem 19.

Problem 2: Edelstein-Keshet, p.108, Problem 20.

Problem 3: Library Search and Journal Article Report.

In the Sciences Library, rummage through the journals in search of articles which investigate a biological topic using difference equations.  (To get a hint as to where you might look, you can begin with the references at the end of Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of Edelstein-Keshet, or possibly in the journals Journal of Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Biosciences, Journal of Theoretical Biology or even Theoretical Population Biology.  (This is not an exhaustive list, you can look anywhere you please.))  Select your favorite article and write a review of the material presented.  The objective of this project is to get you to read and think about some of the original work being done in this area.  Your summary should not merely restate the contents, but deal critically with the ideas, methods and presentation in this article.  You may wish to address the questions:

i. What is the main focus of the article; is a particular question being addressed?

ii. Do the mathematical models help to illuminate the topic; if so, in what ways?

iii. Are there alternative methods or approaches that might have been suitable for answering the questions the authors addressed?