- #1
Cincinnatus
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Unlike in the physical sciences, the role of mathematics in biology is still somewhat controversial. Many leading biologists still know very little about mathematics. This seems to me to be more the influence of history than anything compelled by the field itself.
Many areas of biology today are quite quantitative (and becoming more so) including most (or all) molecular biology. This is due to the influence of bioinformatics, systems biology etc.
Some areas of biology have traditionally been much more quantitative, like neurophysiology since Hodgkin and Huxley. Other areas of biology have maintained both traditions, i.e. evolutionary theory has a highly mathematical branch as well as a large amount of more observational work, such as occurs in paleontology.
I'm interested in what you think about:
a). The historical reason for this lack of quantitative methodology in most of biology.
and
b). Do you think this will change in the future? If so, how long do you think it will be before one won't be able to rightly call themselves a biologist without knowing more math than calculus?
Many areas of biology today are quite quantitative (and becoming more so) including most (or all) molecular biology. This is due to the influence of bioinformatics, systems biology etc.
Some areas of biology have traditionally been much more quantitative, like neurophysiology since Hodgkin and Huxley. Other areas of biology have maintained both traditions, i.e. evolutionary theory has a highly mathematical branch as well as a large amount of more observational work, such as occurs in paleontology.
I'm interested in what you think about:
a). The historical reason for this lack of quantitative methodology in most of biology.
and
b). Do you think this will change in the future? If so, how long do you think it will be before one won't be able to rightly call themselves a biologist without knowing more math than calculus?