Ecology and ecosystems are all about connections and interactions between things, but our models have mostly focussed on the optimal behaviour exhibited by individuals (whether corporate or animal). How do we describe, model and analyse systems? The key is to have a way of representing and quantifying the structures of a system: its physical structure sometimes, but also the structure of of the interactions of its components, whether that is the flow of nutrients, or energy, or... Graph theory provides us with the tools we need to do this, and is the final topic of the course.
These are not the graphs you are used to, but circle and arrow diagrams like the image above with the animal pictures removed. They have a surprising number of uses.
Read or watch the choice is yours
Open, introductory resources on graph theory were hard to find online, so I have created more written notes than usual. If you look at the resources for each topic you will often have a choice whether to begin with notes, or pencasts. Or to bounce back and forth. There isn't a right order; do what works for you.
The course is winding down, though for some of you the term may be ramping up as final projects and papers all seem to come due at once. I have posted all the material for Math120/ALES 291 for the rest of term so you can see what's coming, work ahead if possible 😎, or do triage if necessary 🥺. Use your time well as the semester ends!
(I was only able to get ahead like this because we've caught up to the point in the course where Covid sent us online last year, so I have been able to reuse material, especially videos and pencasts. I hope I have maintained continuity in doing so, but let me know if you fall into any gaps.)
Speaking of the Exam ⚠️
It's not too early to start preparing for it. It will be an in-person exam written in the Lecture Hall. The most important implication of that is that you will want to continue (begin?!) work on your cheatsheet. Information about the exam including topics to be covered, sample exams, and cheatsheets is linked under Week 16. Read it over carefully.
Short weeks
Between the Easter holidays and the mid-week end of term the last three weeks are all 2-class weeks. I have reduced the material accordingly from an average of 150 video minutes per week to 85.
Office Hours
I'll be in my
Zoom
"office" again this week on Monday and Wednesday
from
10:30 am to 11:30 am. Come on by if you have questions.
That's all for now!
Take care and stay in touch,
Tim
Some shortest routes by car in Boston #notanoptimalstreetlayout 😂
