The Centre for Biostatistics in conjunction with the Department of
Mathematics and Statistics invite you to the second seminar in their
autumn series.
Friday, October 12th, 2:00pm
Room A2002
Sean Collins
University of Bristol
Title: What can we learn from the birds and bees? - Optimality Models in
Behavioural Ecology
Abstract: Traditionally, optimisation and equilibrium theory has
addressed the solution of problems in areas such as operation research,
applied probability and economics. However, behavioural biology is a
surprisingly rich source of non-standard problems of this type, leading
to original models, challenging mathematics and thought-provoking
results. Research using standard optimisation models such as Markov
decision processes, as well as more heuristic techniques such as genetic
algorithms and reinforcement learning, has lead to significant
theoretical advances in areas such as mate choice and optimal foraging.
We will provide an introductory survey to the area, reflecting on the
techniques, the intuition behind the results and possibly on the wider
relevance for more standard optimisation frameworks.
For further information on the series see
http://www.ul.ie/biostatistics
David Ramsey
|