SlugAtlasUC Santa Cruz

MATH 16BMathematics for Life Sciences

5 creditsGE MFUndergraduateStudent Option

Mathematical modeling of systems in biology and the environment. Dynamical systems in environmental and life sciences, beginning with a study of oscillation, including trigonometry (sinusoids) and related differential equations. Stochastic systems, including random walks in one and two dimensions, and a study of diffusion. Computational techniques, including vectorization and random number generation, for modeling systems. An introduction to linear algebra, focused on vector geometry in two dimensions, linear transformations, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors. Applications of linear/matrix models and Markov processes to ecology and molecular biology. (Formerly Mathematics for Life and Environmental Sciences.)

Prerequisites

Prerequisite(s): MATH 16A.

  • Enroll in lecture and associated discussion section. Sections begin Monday, 1/11.

Find a section and add it to your scheduleLive seat counts, time-conflict checks and the walk from your previous class.

When it runs

Winter 2027Open Winter 2027

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Lecture
Mon Wed Fri 1:20pm–2:25pm
Humn Lecture HallM. WeissmanOpen 0/260

Spring 2026Open Spring 2026

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Lecture
Mon Wed 5:20pm–6:25pm
ClassroomUnit 001H. QuanOpen 163/172

Winter 2026Open Winter 2026

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Lecture
Mon Wed 10:40am–11:45am
Media Theater M110M. WeissmanOpen 231/280

Fall 2025Open Fall 2025

SectionTypeWhenWhereInstructorSeats
01Lecture
Mon Wed 1:20pm–2:25pm
J Baskin Engr 152D. K. LewisOpen 43/70

Who teaches it

InstructorRatingDifficultyWould take againReviews
Martin Weissman4.0 / 53.1 / 574%77
Hadrian Quan2.9 / 52.9 / 547%14
Debra Lewis1.8 / 53.6 / 58%38

From RateMyProfessors, which is student-submitted and not a survey. Small review counts move a long way on one bad quarter.

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