The summer school is aimed at graduate students in applied mathematics, biology and epidemiology, who wish to learn important mathematical techniques for modelling biological invasions. The emphasis will be on practical, hands-on experience for building and analyzing models, coupled with lectures on key techniques. Examples will be drawn from a variety of areas including ecological invasions of so-called `pest' species, and the emergence of novel pathogens like SARS and avian influenza. A major focus will be on techniques for incorporating evolutionary change in the mathematical models.

Each student will be expected to develop and analyze a model of their choosing during the period of the summer school, in collaboration with a small group of other students. These modelling projects will then be presented to the entire group at the end of the period. In this way, we aim to provide students with a solid and practical set of tools for developing their own mathematical models in these related areas in the future.

The summer school takes place at the BIRS, Alberta. For further information on this beautiful location go to http://www.birs.ca

Organizers: Dr Troy Day (Queen's), Dr Fred Brauer (UBC), Dr James Watmough (New Brunswick), Dr Jianhong Wu (York), Dr Rachel Bennett (Queen's)

The school is sponsored by