BIOL398-01/S11:Class Journal Week 5

Instructions

Formatting

• Link to your journal entry from your user page.
• Link back from the journal entry to your user page.
• Sign your portion of the journal with the standard wiki signature shortcut (~~~~).
• Add the "BIOL398-01/S11" category to the end of the wiki page (if someone has not already done so).

Reflections

Part One: Reflection on Chemostat Model

1. What was the purpose of this assignment?
2. What aspect of this assignment came most easily to you?
3. What aspect of this assignment was the most challenging for you?
4. What (yet) do you not understand?

Part Two: Landers Paper

1. What distinction does Lander draw between modeling to "discover new knowledge" and modeling for "understanding"?
2. Which point of view resonates with you more? Why?

Class Responses

Sarah Carratt's Journal Entry

CHEMOSTAT ASSIGNMENT

LANDER READING

1. Landers says that to "discover new knowledge" is a misleading phrase that lures people to the field of biology. The way he views the world, "understanding" is much more appropriate because the term acknowledges that rejecting/approving hypotheses is not satisfactory. Understanding requires a scientist to look into the "hows" and "whys" of a mystery, and is the better way to learn.
2. I think that Lander draws an interesting distinction, but I'm not convinced that understanding is always best. I think sometimes "discovery" and simply being able to acknowledge truths can be highly satisfying. While it would be cool to understand more about the world, I know that I will be happier if I don't spend all my time exploring truths.

Reflection on Chemostat Assignment

1. The purpose of this assignment was to understand how the nutrient/ cell population works, when different constants are put in place. It shows us how the system behaves. We were also able to see how the system shapes differently when it is shaped to the logistic model.
2. The easiest part of this assigment was reading the simple chemostat model of nutrients and population growth that was written by Dr. Fitzpatrick. It was easy to see how the equations interacted with each other and how the system worked step-by-step.
3. The hardest part of this assignment was working with matlab, since it took me forever to get the program right, or what I think is right.
4. I think I am starting to begin to understand how the nutrient income works. For now, I think i understand everything.