Date of Award
6-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Mathematics
Department
Mathematics
First Reader/Committee Chair
Dr. Chetan Prakash
Abstract
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 n 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.
Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Thi, "On the Evolution of Virulence" (2014). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 91.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/91
Included in
Non-linear Dynamics Commons, Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Dynamics Commons