On the Evolution of Virulence

<p>The goal of this thesis is to study the dynamics behind the evolution of virulence. We examine first the underlying mechanics of linear systems of ordinary differential equations by investigating the classification of fixed points in these systems, then applying these techniques to nonlinear systems. We then seek to establish the validity of a system that models the population dynamics of uninfected and infected hosts---first with one parasite strain, then <em>n</em> strains. We define the basic reproductive ratio of a parasite, and study its relationship to the evolution of virulence. Lastly, we investigate the mathematics behind superinfection.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in Mathematics

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mathematics

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Nguyen, Thi

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Chetan Prakash

• nonlinear dynamics
• differential equations
• mathematics
• evolutionary mathematics
• Non-linear Dynamics
• Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Dynamics

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/91

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu:etd-1070