A Comprehensive Physically Based Approach to Modeling in Bioengineering and Life Sciences,1st ed,

Abstract

This text was written by three authors, two of whom have Ph.D. degrees and specialize in applied mathematics. The authors collectively have experience in computational biology, semiconductor device modeling, ophthalmology modeling, and several related fields, these experiences are reflected in the several examples in the text. The text itself consists of some 30 chapters, which are reported in eight sections. Part 1 of the text gives a quick overview of mathematical modeling, mathematical and computational modeling methods, and physics; Part 2 covers laws of mass and energy balances with a nonundergraduate use of strain and deformation tensors; Part 3 covers modeling of fluids, solids, and mixtures, as well as electromagnetism and ion electrodynamics; Part 4 of the text gives the reader Kirchhoff current laws and fluid flow modeling, including compliant and collapsible tubing discussions; Part 5 of the text presents a useful overview of neuron functions, action potentials, the Hodgkin–Huxley equations, cable models, and astrocyte mechanics; Part 6 gives an overview of function spaces, partial differential equations, and approximations of functions; Part 7 includes information on ion pumps; and Part 8 gives 49 MATLAB scripts used in the text, 51 MATLAB functions, and a series of exercises and projects for parts 1–7 above. The text then includes an appendix on curvilinear coordinate laws and a bibliography for the text (244 references, with no mention of the above Carson and Cobelli texts!). While this text is touted as being for “Biomedical engineers, life sciences researchers, as well as undergraduate and graduate students in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Biology, and Medicine” , this reviewer suggests that the text be mainly considered as a reference text, to be used primarily by those with an adequate mathematical and MATLAB background.