Mathematical modelling using scenarios, case studies and projects in early undergraduate classes

Mathematical modelling has great potential to motivate students towards studying mathematics. This article discusses several different approaches to integrating research work with a second-year undergraduate, mathematical modelling subject. I found sourcing papers from the areas of epidemiology and ecology to be a fruitful source area, particularly models involving only two or three coupled differential equations. These models were amenable to students as well as interesting and relevant to students because they came from real research papers. I will describe the use of scenarios and case studies in lectures, and group projects for assessment. The scenarios and case studies were published in a textbook that I wrote. Scenarios, case studies and projects provided an opportunity to expose students to some novel applications of differential equations. One example is developed here as a Classroom Note: modelling the dynastic cycles in Chinese history.