Just how does Lara Croft's pigtail swing so perfectly and who determines her kicks and turns in Tomb Raider? Sequences like these are all cleverly calculated by mathematical dynamical equations to make Lara's movements look realistic.
Solving highly technical but everyday problems like this are mathematicians' bread and butter according to a mathematical expert. He works at the other end of the applications spectrum - using mathematics to predict the growth and spread of cancer cells at the University of Dundee.
With the numbers of students studying maths declining across the country Professor Mark Chaplain has devised a unique new degree course at the University of Dundee for budding maths geniuses to use equations to solve the biomedical problems of today and the future.
Mark, one of the UK youngest "skateboarding" Professors will be asking his students to work out with their maths - how many fish are left in the North Sea; how many children should be vaccinated to prevent a serious outbreak of measles; and how much radiation would it take to kill a cancer tumour but not the patient?
Mark is using his calculus to cure cancer, working at the cutting edge with surgeons and cancer experts to predict with mathematical models the growth rate of a patient's tumour and provide vital data on the tumour to the surgeons who are preparing to operate. He explains: "A useful analogy of this technique is with weather forecasting which uses a mathematical model to predict future weather patterns based on the current information. The information includes various atmospheric data and measurements eg pressure, water content, wind speed etc. In the same way, I believe, doctors could use mathematical models to predict where cancer cells are likely to move to in the body, how fast they will do so and how well they could respond to treatment."
He says that maths will play the same pivotal role in making breakthroughs in life sciences this century as it did last century in aiding discoveries in physics. "Operating theatres, front line high tech manufacturing lines and the computer games industry are where you find mathematicians these days" says Mark. "People still think of us as sad lonely individuals with no dress sense but in fact I am working with the top scientists in the country every day giving them solutions to medical problems. Stepping back and being able to approach a problem in a different way is what today's fast moving world requires. Maths is one of the best tools to use to provide people with alternative workable solutions.
The sequencing of the human genome has brought about an explosion in the amount of biological data that requires analysis with mathematics and computational tools. Developments in computers and modern applied mathematics means that maths and mathematical modelling is fast becoming an essential component in life science laboratories."
The Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics reported that mathematics students can expect to earn between 7% and 11% more than average for their peer group with similar levels of qualifications in other subjects.
The University of Dundee is offering a four and three years honours degrees in Mathematical Biology. For more information visit http://www.dundee.ac.uk/prospectus/undergrad2003/courses/mathbiol.htm , email chaplain@maths.dundee.ac.uk or call University Admissions on 01382 344160.
Contact Professor Mark Chaplain 01382 345369
By Jenny Marra, Press Officer 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk