BIOL388/S19:Class Journal Week 1

Leanne Kuwahara Reflection

Stewart Before Reading Reflection

When I hear the word mathematics, the first terms that come to mind are numbers, calculations, patterns, and problem solving. Putting these terms together to form a coherent definition, I would say that mathematics is a discipline that involves analyzing patterns to devise formulas that work to explain various phenomena. While everyone does math in their day to day lives, I would not consider myself to be a mathematician. I believe giving one's self a professional title requires that they are an expert in the field and that they have put forth an effort to make contributions to their field.

Janovy Before Reading Reflection

When I hear the word biology, the first terms that come to mind are life, cells, and evolution. Biologists study how living organisms function and how they they interact with both biotic and abiotic factors. Similarly to mathematics, biology is also applied in people's everyday lives, however, I do not completely consider myself a biologist for the same reasons why I do not consider myself to be a mathematician. However, I do consider myself to be more of a biologist than a mathematician as I have spent the past three years studying biology and a multitude of its sub-fields such as, physiology, neurobiology, and structural biology. Perhaps I can call myself a biologist in training.

After Reading Reflection

Janovy equates being a biologist to being a naturalist, that is, in order to call one's self a biologist one must comply to the values of a naturalist. Naturalists value nature, and the relationships all organisms have with their environments. He implies that the overall goal of a biologist is to contribute to our perception of the planet on which we live, and to inform others of the decisions we should make regarding the relationship we have with our environment (Janovy, 1996).

According to Janovy's idea of a biologist, I would consider myself a partial biologist. The reason I do not consider myself a full-fledged biologist is similar to the argument he gave on page 23. He states that, because of a time constraint, that formal education may provide you only with the tools of a biologist, but not the values and visions of a true naturalist (Janovy, 1996). Throughout my educational experience I have gained an understanding of chemistry, physics, and biological principles, but am not sure I hold the same values as a naturalist.

One of the more intriguing statements Janovy made was that biologists conduct research with the sole purpose of satisfying personal curiosity, and any beneficial implications towards humanity are simply side effects (Janovy, 1996). Throughout the entire chapter, Janovy has emphasized that naturalists (biologists) care more about nonhuman organisms than humans, which I both agree and disagree with. Yes, biologists, and scientists in general, have a personal curiosity towards the research they conduct, however I feel the reasons they work so hard to complete their research is to serve a higher purpose and contribute to society, that is, improving the quality of life for humans; whether that be through improving medicine/health care, or improving conservation efforts for our planet to best sustain life.

According to Stewart, mathematics is the "behind the scene" science driving the function of nearly everything, if not all of the tools and machinery we use in our everyday lives. Similar to my earlier definition of mathematics, Stewart emphasizes that mathematics is the analysis of patterns and discovering why they occur (Stewart, 2006). A main difference that I notice between the Stewart reading and the Janovy reading was that Stewart made it seem like everyone was a mathematician, whereas Janovy made it very clear that only those who have the values of a naturalist are biologists. Thus, according to Stewart's very broad sense of the term mathematics, I would change my view from before reading these chapters and say that I am a mathematician. Work as a scientist constantly involves the evaluation of patterns and figuring out how they occur. For instance, I want to become a criminalist after graduating from LMU, and one of the various forensic disciplines is bloodstain pattern analysis. This work would require one to observe the pattern, form a hypothesis on how this pattern was formed by using the knowledge of mathematics (angles, geometry, force, etc.), and then go back to a lab to test these theories to better understand the scene.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Stewart reading I found was the "bird crystal" mentioned in chapter 5 (Stewart, 2006). The comparison of the personal space of a bird to that of a phase of matter was one that I never would of thought of, but was fantastic and accurate. The main view I gain from Stewart's reading is that math aims to simplify the reasoning behind why certain events occur for others. Using this "bird crystal" analogy would be a great way to simplify the explanation of a crystal lattice structure of a solid to say, a child, or someone who does not have the materials science background required to fully understand the concept.

The main similarity I found after reading these two articles was the influence of nature. For the mathematician, nature provides an almost infinite number of patterns to be analyzed. For the biologist, nature and its relationship with living organisms direct the types of thoughts and questions a biologist may have. Nature seems to provide a continuous blank canvas for all scientists as there is always something to be questioned or explored.

Alison S King Journal Week 1

Stewart before reading

1. When I hear the term mathematics, I immediately think of numbers and data. I think of all the different things that you can do with math and the various kinds of math, such as Calculus, Statistics, and Differential Equations. Math fascinates me because it is so relevant to most fields of study and walks of life. I like to think of math as a way to analyze data and solve problems.
2. I definitely consider myself a mathematician. After all, I am an Applied Math major. I have taken many math classes over the years and solved countless problems using math, so I believe that makes me a mathematician.

Janovy before reading

1. The term biology makes me think of experiments and the refinement of theories over many trials. Biology is very adaptive, so it makes me think of the notion that nothing is ever set in stone and we can always be striving for improvement.
2. I do not think I would call myself a biologist. I do not have enough knowledge or add anything through experimentation to the field of biology. When I think of a biologist, I think of somebody who is actively performing new research and arriving at new findings, and this is not me at this time.

After reading

1. The Stewart reading was particularly interesting because it reinforced a lot of my previous conceptions about mathematics. I love learning about all the different ways that math can be applied to real life. I think most people are afraid of math because they don't realize how useful and applicable to their lives it is. They mostly believe that math has to be Calculus or something really daunting, so it was nice to read Stewart's take on math as something easy and relevant.
2. The thing that stuck with me the most about the Janovy reading was how he described his two biology students by asking them what they looked at while walking around campus. One biology student noticed the birds around campus because he was always looking up and down. The other student noticed processes. While she used to just focus on the beginning and the end of the journey, she now found herself noticing everything in between. This stood out to me because many people walk around noticing nothing more than their phones or not taking the time to observe anything, but the biologist is constantly observing and taking interest in the things nearby.
3. To be a biologist means to ask the right questions about life and be interested in the processes of life. For the biologist, both complexity and uniformity can be found in life's processes, and they hope to study these to find answers. Biologists also see the potential for experimentation everywhere they go, and they want to study things deeply no matter how mundane the subject might appear to others. It does not matter whether a biologist is a professional or has little access to equipment. They can still study life and arrive at answers. I would consider myself a biologist in a loose sense because I am interested in the processes of life and like to dive deep into subjects to find answers. However, I do find it difficult to get excited about bacteria or garden weeds, so I'm not sure that I would call myself a true biologist.
4. To be a mathematician simply means to use math to dive into problems and solve them. Mathematicians want to know how things work and why they work by checking out the details. Mathematicians cannot be convince by broad or vague statements, but instead they want to know for themselves why something works they way that it does. As I said above, I already do consider myself a mathematician. However, after reading Stewart's chapters, I am even more convinced of that fact. I love to explore things mathematically and to figure out how things work beyond just broad statements. The details matter to me and the math behind everyday life is fascinating to me. This, I believe, makes me a mathematician.
5. Both of these pieces tried to take a tough subject such as biology or mathematics and turn it into something more relevant and easily accessible. They both talked about how relevant science and math are to everything in nature and how many people could be mathematicians or biologists without needing the fancy degree or years of schooling. I think Janovy's reading required a little more interest in biology to be interesting, whereas Stewart's reading was much more accessible and easy to read for everyone.

Acknowledgements

My assignment partner Leanne Kuwahara and I texted a couple of times for clarification on this journal entry.

Except for what is noted above, this individual journal entry was completed by me and not copied from another source.

References

Stewart, I. (2006) Letters to a Young Mathematician, New York, NY: Basic Books, pp. 1-10, 45-52.

Janovy, J. (1996) On Becoming a Biologist (2nd ed.), Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, pp. 1-33.

Loyola Marymount University (22 January 2019) BIOL388/S19:Week 1. Retrieved from https://openwetware.org/wiki/BIOL388/S19:Week_1 on 22 January 2019.

Alison S King (talk) 15:54, 28 January 2019 (PST)

Sahil Patel Week 1 Journal Entry

Before reading Stewart

1. When I hear the term mathematics, the first things that comes to mind are numbers and formulas. Another thing that I immediately think about is the concrete nature of math. Unlike in other classes, I feel that in math, you either know how to solve a problem or you don't.
2. I would not consider myself a mathematician because I do not believe that I have the knowledge to carry out a profession in the mathematics, nor have I learned enough about all the disciplines of math that truly make a mathematician.

Before reading Janovy

1. The first thing that comes to mind is the age old definition of biology: the study of life.
2. I believe that I am on the path of becoming a biologist and that once I get my degree in biology, I can truly be called a biologist.

After reading Stewart and Janovy

1. What I found the most thought provoking about the Stewart reading was the wide variety of occupations or professions that are employed by mathematicians. Stewart mentions how other degrees, specifically medical or law, are put on plaques and hung up in offices or buildings but no one advertises a mathematics degree yet so many people who start their own business in countless fields are mathematicians. This difference really struck me as interesting because until now I never really knew about the countless applications of math.
2. The most interesting thing I read in the Janovy reading was the point that was brought up about the ever changing nature of biology and how we still learn about Darwin and his discoveries yet today's biology is so different and advanced. Biology is so advanced in today's world and yet so important. It allows us to make connections and recognize interrelationships among observations of the natural world. Biologists have the power to examine nature and anticipate what the future holds and make modifications where we see fit. This power or control is danger though and it must be used responsibly. I thought this was the most interesting point that Janovy brought up.
3. Biology is a broad extensive field that studies individual living organisms and the relationship between all living things and how they function with respect to their environment. A biologist is someone who utilizes a wide variety of technique to make observations of the natural world. To call myself a biologist might be a stretch because I do not think that I have studied enough of the different aspects of biology as of yet. I hope that at some point in my life I will be able to confidently say that I am a biologist.
4. Mathematicians use theories and techniques, such as mathematical modeling and computational methods, to formulate and solve practical problems in business, government, engineering, science, and all aspects of life. I would not consider myself a mathematician as of yet because I do not apply methods that mathematicians apply when I tackle life problems.
5. The two readings shared similarities in the approach of tackling questions of the natural world through methods utilizing our knowledge in each discipline, in this case biology and mathematics. They differed in the tools required; mathematics seemed much more simple when it came to external tools, while biologists require the knowledge of using many different techniques.
6. I thought that the idiom which Edward Talatala brought up was very interesting that all that is required for mathematics is a pencil and paper. Obviously, this is an oversimplified expression, but the point being driven is that it is not as scary to approach as some people may think and its real world applications are limitless.

References

Stewart, I. (2006) Letters to a Young Mathematician, New York, NY: Basic Books, pp. 1-10, 45-52.

Janovy, J. (1996) On Becoming a Biologist (2nd ed.), Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, pp. 1-33.

Sahil Patel (talk) 14:16, 6 February 2019 (PST)

Austin Dias Class Journal Week 1

Before Reading

When you hear the term mathematics, what comes to mind?

When I hear the words mathematics, I think of equations and using them to model phenomena that we experience in our lives.

Do you consider yourself a mathematician? why or why not?

I do not consider myself a mathematician because math has never been my strongest area. Even though, I have taken many math courses throughout my education, I feel like I do not often turn to mathematics to answer everyday questions. I believe the essence of a mathematician would be someone who actively applies mathematical principles to many different aspects of their life. Whereas, I tend to overlook mathematics when searching for answers.

When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?

When I hear the term biology I automatically think of life and all of its nuances and intricacies that are connected by a complex web of interactions.

Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?

I consider myself a biologist because I have studied it throughout my whole life and it is has truly been a passion of mine. I think about the connections I can make to biology while performing everyday activities such as muscle contraction while at the gym, the ability of the eye to focus while watching tv, or the process of metabolism while eating a snack. Studying and discussing biology excites me and allows me to make sense of the natural world.

After Reading

What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Stewart reading?

I found Stewart's analogy between birds sitting on a wire and spreading themselves out evenly to the atoms in a molecule to be quite interesting. I had never thought about this relationship or how every aspect of nature relates directly to the fundamental atoms that create it. It forced me to question if all of the things that we observe with our human senses mimic the behavior of fundamental particles that constitute these observations.

What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?

The statement that Janovy makes about a biologist's beliefs not being based in commercial motives was somewhat provocative to me. I agree for the most part that many biologist's develop a deep connection with nature, due to their understanding of its importance. However, I think it would be ignorant to state that all biologist have this same agenda. Especially, this day in age with the increasing exploitation of nature to satisfy human needs. Another thought comes to mind, however, Janovy could be hinting at the idea that a biologist may only be defined as an individual who possesses an empathy with nature.

What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?

A biologist understands the equality of each of the living components of the world because they comprehend the contributions they have made and continue to make to our existence. A biologist is someone who acknowledges all forms of life and analyzes the relationships between them. I consider myself a biologist because of my dedication to understanding different forms of life and attempting to understand how each impacts the other.

What does it mean to be a mathematician? Do you consider yourself a mathematician? Why or why not?

To be a mathematician is to analyze the world around us and apply laws and patterns to explain them. A mathematician recognizes the omnipresence of math and attributes math to every corner of our existence. Rather than just observing the physical existence of various things, a mathematician seeks to understand how these things come about. After reading these chapters, I became aware that mathematicians manifest themselves in many different areas, but they all share the same ability to model the natural world with mathematical concepts. Before reading, I would not consider myself to be a mathematician. However, after reading I will claim myself to be a mathematician because even though I do not work well with specific aspects of math, this does not prevent me from trying to develop a deep understanding and appreciation for nature, beyond its beauty.

What are the similarities and differences between the two readings?

Both readings suggest the significance of applying science outside of the classroom and using the lessons we learn from our professors to create our own understanding of the natural world. One slight difference between the two readings is the connection to morality and ethicality of philosophy. I felt that Janovy's writing appealed a bit more to these disciplines than Stewart's.

Acknowledgements

Utilized readings provided by Dr.Dahlquist. Homework partner Desiree Gonzalez clarified how to complete this assignment when we had a discussion before class. Except for what is noted above, this individual journal entry was completed by me and not copied from another source.

References

Stewart, I. (2006) Letters to a Young Mathematician, New York, NY: Basic Books, pp. 1-10, 45-52.

Janovy, J. (1996) On Becoming a Biologist (2nd ed.), Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, pp. 1-33.

Assignment:Week 1 Assignment Page

Austindias (talk) 16:32, 23 January 2019 (PST)

Brianna N. Samuels Journal 1

Before Reading Stewart

1. When I hear the word mathematics, I instantly think calculations and some sort of problem solving that will require some sort of formulation, equation, or step-by-step pattern to approach the problem at hand.
2. I do not consider myself a mathematician because a mathematician enjoys doing math and although I am proficient in the subject I do not enjoy it.

Before Reading Janovy

1. When I hear the word biology, the first thing that comes to mind is life. Biology is the study of life in every aspect whether it be plant life, human life, bacteria life, viral life, etc.
2. I do not consider myself a biologist just yet. Yes I study biology which is what a biologist does but I am just a grasshopper. I haven't fully mastered the tools I need to consider myself a biologist.

After Reading Stewart and Janovy

2. Something that bothered me about this reading is that it felt like the author was trying to make it seem like you had to be a naturalist to be a biologist. I agree that it should be hand in hand but at the end of the day one shouldn't be categorized into something that I don't feel pertains to me. Yes nature and biology go hand-in-hand, but I don't believe you have to be a naturist to be a biologist. I do believe you have to be a biologist to be a naturist on the other hand. From experience, I like the study of human body as opposed to the study of plants but I still am trying to be a biologist just without the emphasis of nature attached.
3. After reading this, I see that a biologist must be a balance of all life. One can't just discredit or not acknowledge all other forms of life. One can choose to study one specific aspect but to be a great biologist, you must incorporate all aspect of life into your world. I don't consider myself a biologist because I strongly dislike studying nature and plant life which is a form of discrediting and not acknowledging all life.
4. After reading this, I see that a mathematics is the fundamental component of any science and is fully required to be successful in the science fields. A mathematician is someone who analyzes patterns and finds a way to determine how and why the pattern occurred the way it did. One must be able to apply certain concepts to approach a problem. I still don't consider myself a mathematician because although I try to deepen my knowledge of science and truly appreciate how it's like a universal language, I am just not passionate about it enough to consider myself one.
5. A pretty apparent similarity I noticed right away was that there was a reoccurring theme that being a naturalist and being a mathematician is very important in the scientific fields. Something that bothered me that was kind of different was that it seemed like the paper about math was too broad whereas the bio paper seemed to say that in order to be a naturalist one had to be a biologist. the specificity of what each was trying to convey was different even though they both had similar themes.
6. I found that Austin Dias and Leanne mostly had similar thinkings. I especially agreed with Austin when he mentioned it being somewhat ignorant to assume that all biologists have the same agenda because we all know that's not the case.

Brianna N. Samuels Briannansamuels (talk) 22:21, 23 January 2019 (PST)

Edward Talatala Journal 1

When you hear the term mathematics, what comes to mind?

I think of all the math classes I have taken, especially calculus. I think of equations I have used in my life, and how I have applied math to other classes, such as physics, biology, and chemistry. I think of people like Sir Isaac Newton and how he created calculus to help him understand the physics he was studying.

Do you consider yourself a mathematician? why or why not?

Yes, because I have used math my entire life and have applied math skills to other subjects that I have studied. While I have not made an impact in the math community, I think being able to understand math and apply it in the real world makes you a mathematician, at least in a very minor scale.

When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?

I think of the study of life. I think of attempting to understand how organisms work physiologically. How organisms live in a cycle of producing and consuming in the circle of life. I think of how the main objective of life is to reproduce for the proliferation of their own species in competition with other species.

Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?

Yes, because I have studied biology my entire life, and I chose it as my major for undergrad. Biology has made a major impact in my life because I want to become a doctor, so I have been required to learn an variety of subjects within the biology field, such as physiology, anatomy, plants, microorganisms, etc...

What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Stewart reading?

I liked how thought-provoking the reading was by shedding light on all the things in everyday life that requires math. I have felt this way about math for a long time, the fact that it is universal, but Stewart provided a myriad of examples of math being used in more ways than I originally thought. I reminded me of a quote I heard before (I cant remember from where) but gist of it was that math is the simplest science because all you need is a pencil and paper. You do not need to do experiments or work in a laboratory. It also reminds me of how we can see math everywhere in nature, such as the Fibonacci sequence and the golden rectangle throughout life.

What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?

On page 7, Janovy talks about the metamorphosis of thinking of biology as subject of "doing" to a subject of "being." It creates a paradigm shift of people's view of biology and being a biologist. I like the idea that studying biology can be more than just researching with humans as the center of the subject. Biology is the study of all life to gain an understanding of the world we live in. The more we learn about Earth and about life, the more we can understand human nature and where we belong on this planet.

What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?

Being a biologist means that we have to study all life, everything in nature from bacteria to plants to animals. We have to take into account how we all coexist on this planet and how everything has a role in each ecosystem. I still believe I am a biologist because I have studied biology throughout my education. Taking together all of my classes (human biology, microorganisms, plants, ecology) I can say that I relate to Janovy's concept to being a biologist.

What does it mean to be a mathematician? Do you consider yourself a mathematician? Why or why not?

Mathematicians are able to see the patterns throughout everyday life, how everything can be broken down to formulas, equations, models, and laws of the universe. I still believe I am a mathematician because of how I have applied math to other subjects in my life. However, my original view of math being applied to other subjects was extremely narrow compared to Stewart's ideas of math. Stewart opened my eyes to how math can be applied to literally everything if your look hard enough, which is more than just using math formulas in biology, physics, and chemistry.

What are the similarities and differences between the two readings?

Both readings focused on their respective subjects (math and biology) and expanded them to be applied to a much broader spectrum. The core concept of these readings were to allow the readers to think outside the box for what it means to be a mathematician or to be a biologist. They make these subjects to be very inclusive, so practically anyone can be scientists, even if its in a very minor sense. I think the difference between the two readings is that Steward is much more inclusive than Janovy. By this, I mean that Stewarts point about math being seen everywhere in everyday life makes math universal. Janovy focuses on the study of biology being essentially equal to being a naturalists.

Acknowledgements

I worked with Austin Dias and Brianna Samuels face-to-face outside of class to go over journal assignment

I looked at Alison King's references section to see how to cite readings

Except for what is noted above, this individual journal entry was completed by me and not copied from another source. EdwardRyanTalatala (talk) 18:17, 23 January 2019 (PST)

References

Stewart, I. (2006) Letters to a Young Mathematician, New York, NY: Basic Books, pp. 1-10, 45-52.

Janovy, J. (1996) On Becoming a Biologist (2nd ed.), Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, pp. 1-33.

EdwardRyanTalatala (talk) 18:17, 23 January 2019 (PST)

Desiree Gonzalez Class Journal Week 1

Stewart Before Reading Questions:

1. When you hear the term mathematics, what comes to mind?
   • When I hear the term mathematics, the first thing that comes to mind are numbers, equations, variables, and strict "correct" answers. I associate mathematics with difficult concepts that take time and practice to commit to memory for future use in solving problems.
2. Do you consider yourself a mathematician? why or why not?
   • I partially consider myself a mathematician. I do not believe that I am fully a mathematician because I still struggle with some math concepts, and only really use math to do dilutions and alter ratios in the laboratory when working on collecting data for my independent research.

Janovy Before Reading Questions

1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
   • When I hear the term biology, the first thing that comes to mind is my major. I automatically associate the term biology to medicine since I am studying to go into medical school after graduating from LMU. Biology also brings to mind various living organisms that are built up of cells, which in turn are made up of organelles. Biology for me symbolizes the simple and yet intricate mechanisms that help life exist.
2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
   • I do consider myself a biologist because I have a strong knowledge of science and enjoy taking the time to look at the "how" and "why" of all living things around me. I also consider myself a biologist because my passion for science is depicted by my major, future career path, and independent research. I am a biologist since I view everything around me through the eyes of science.

Stewart and Janovy After Reading Questions

1. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Stewart reading?
   • The thing that I found most interesting about the Stewart reading was the strong love of mathematics that could easily be felt being given off by the author based on the way he explained the importance of mathematics in society. I was initially surprised to see such enthusiasm related to mathematics since I myself do not have such a strong love toward the subject and have not recognized such a level of awe coming from my professors when sitting in a math class. In addition to the enthusiastic view of math, I was intrigued by the connections of mathematics to science subjects and communication; I had never reflected on the fact that math (disguised as phone lines and satellite relays) helps me keep in touch with my family in other states.
2. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
   • The concept that I found most interesting from the Janovy reading was his belief that biology is not equal to technology. I had to ponder this ideology for a bit, because I like Janovy stated in the chapter, had integrated the ideas of science and technology together. I believe that this mental integration of technology with science has occurred because of the laboratory experience I have had. I believe that Janovy is correct in stating that the new and easily accessible tools of technology for newer generations have both been a benefit for skills and an impediment to critical thinking. I myself have noticed that sometimes in lab I focus more on the technical mechanisms of a laboratory experiment, when I should also be taking into consideration the true biological mechanisms and importance of the work the machine (like a gel electrophoresis for example) is doing.
3. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
   • After doing the Stewart and Janovy readings, I believe that being a biologist means that a person has an integrative outlook on life. This biologist view incorporates, as Janovy described, the naturalist and educational views of life. From my understanding of the reading the naturalist view seems to be more focused on using a more observational and reflective standpoint to understand the how and why of things/organisms in the surroundings. The educational view of biology in the reading seemed to be surrounding the idea that knowing a specific subject or laboratory technique is of far greater importance due to its connection to success in a future career. I do consider myself a biologist, because I believe that I am proficient in seeing the world through both an intellectual and more speculative manner as Janovy described in his writings.
4. What does it mean to be a mathematician? Do you consider yourself a mathematician? Why or why not?
   • To be a mathematician is to view all aspects of life through its connection to math. Being a mathematician requires viewing the world as a collection of intricate details and patterns that all occur for a given reason. According to what I understood from the readings, mathematicians do not leave any explanations to chance; all the small technicalities in life have a purpose. After reading Stewart, I believe that I am a bit more of a mathematician than I initially believed. Like Stewart stated, I have been able to make observations in my surrounding environment and have connected them to a specific symbolic meaning or value.
5. What are the similarities and differences between the two readings?
   • Both readings showed the interconnection of either biology (for the Janovy readings) or math (for the Stewart readings) to everything that surrounds us and makes up the universe. I believe that Stewart's readings were a bit more vague in their definition of mathematics. Where as Janovy's readings seemed to linger around a more finite definition of the broad concept of biology. Janovy's definition of biology emphasized the integration of both a hands-on approach and a more analytical thought-process, to be used to view the world.

References

Dahlquist, K. & Fitzpatrick, B.G. (2019). Biomathematical Modeling Week 1 Assignment Page

Janovy, J. (2004) On Becoming a Biologist (2nd ed.), Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, pp. 1-33.

Stewart, I. (2007). Letters to a Young Mathematician, New York, NY: Basic Books, pp. 1-10, 45-53.

Acknowledgements

I spoke face to face with my homework partner Austin and another classmate Ava, before starting the assignment to figure out how we would be posting the journal articles on our pages. We clarified confusions we had about using the OpenWetWare website. Except for what is noted above, this individual journal entry was completed by me and not copied from another source. Desireegonzalez (talk) 18:46, 23 January 2019 (PST)

Reflection Before reading Stewart:

Hearing the term mathematics I immediately think of the mode of thought process and brain power that is necessary to solve complex problems. I do not think of myself as a mathematician because I feel that this term applies to someone who has invested a significant amount of time and work professionally toward solving problems and or determining algorithms, etc. I feel that my math skills are intermediate and I have not spent time outside of the required Calculus 1 & 2, or Biostatistical Analysis committing myself to math.

Reflection Before reading Janovy:

When hearing the term biology I think about the very broad range that this subject encompasses, from the environmental systems of life that are not 'alive,' such as plants or the ocean, to the complex anatomy of animals and humans. Maybe it is just because I am a biology major, but I feel that biology encompasses a very large sum of different subtopics and there are many different specialties of interest. I do consider myself a biologist as a second semester senior who has dedicated much of the last few years to learning biology and becoming well-rounded in it's intricacies. I have also dedicated a lot of time to activities outside of the major requirements participating in independent research, as well as other extracurriculars that have expanded my biology education.

Post-reading Reflection Questions

1. I thought that it was really interesting how evident it was that Stewart wanted to prove math's larger purpose, seeming at times almost defensive. Personally, I feel like I understood prior to reading the chapters how important math is in everyday lives. I definitely agree that math is used for many many things and am grateful to the mathematicians who were able to solve the complex problems. I was never really of the opinion that math was unimportant or that it did not make money or was never used in real life. However, I would say that most individuals do not use complicated math in everyday life too often and thus it is a small group of individuals who solve these calculations for the wider population to take advantage of. I agree with Stewart that math works behind almost everything, such as rainbows and the way a dog trots and I do feel that math is really important for almost anything to function. Therefore, I was surprised by Stewart's defensiveness and the way he insinuated that math is very often disregarded.
2. The particular part of Janovy that caught my interest was the discussion of sociobiology and how in the natural world it is very typical for male animals to be polygynous thus when humans participate in polygamy that is natural. This shows how some subjects when combined can create controversy about the human condition.
3. Yes, I still believe myself to be a biologist. Janovy focuses on ways that make someone, even an amateur researcher a biologist through their sense of discovery and awe at the natural world. I feel that I am inquisitive and seek parallels between typically non-scientific classes and biology. For example, I am a Jewish studies minor and one book on our reading list is called "Golems Among Us: How a Jewish Legend Can Help Us Navigate the Biotech Century" and I feel like this title really captures how history and mythology can connect with biology and technology.
4. After reading Stewart, I feel like he wants us to believe that anyone who critically thinks about patterns and the like is a mathematician, however, I still hold my original opinion that mathematicians are people who solve complex problems and dedicate much of their professional lives to it. Such as the individuals who created robots and are trying to determine how to get them to move without the use of wheels on surfaces like Mars. I do use some math in my daily life and do research patterns found in nature, but I feel like even though math is utilized I would still consider what I do to be Biology-based. For instance, I am currently a genetics TA and genetics definitely involves some math, but I still feel like I am helping students with biology rather than math at office hours.
5. Both readings discuss the misperceptions that relate to the respective subject discussed. Stewart narrates the ways in which "behind the scenes" mathematics are often disregarded as unimportant and Janovy discusses the naturalist aspect of biology and how not to lose the true inquisitiveness that led one to explore biological functions and patterns.

References

Dahlquist, K. & Fitzpatrick, B.G. (2019). Biomathematical Modeling Week 1 Assignment Page

Janovy, J. (2004) On Becoming a Biologist (2nd ed.), Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, pp. 1-33.

Stewart, I. (2007). Letters to a Young Mathematician, New York, NY: Basic Books, pp. 1-10, 45-53.

Acknowledgements

I worked with my homework partner Sahil Patel in class.

Dr. Dahlquist provided additional help after class.

Except for what is noted above, this individual journal entry was completed by me and not copied from another source. Avalekander (talk) 20:15, 23 January 2019 (PST)

Before reading the Stewart chapters

1. When I hear the term mathematics what comes to my mind is numbers, equations, and shapes. Also, I tend to associate mathematics with engineering and building things.
2. No I don’t consider myself a mathematician because I don’t like working with numbers as I find math challenging and have no interest in exploring it or expanding my knowledge about it therefore I don’t consider myself a mathematician.

Before reading the Janovy chapter

1. When I hear the term biology what comes to my mind is the study of living organisms like animals' plants and cells. Also, the interactions between those organisms and what makes them “live”. Additionally, the evolution of those organisms and how they evolved over generations.
2. Yes, I do consider myself a biologist because I find studying living systems interesting and I go out of my way to study it and learn more about it. Also, by majoring in biology I’m working in becoming an expert in biology and being a better biologist and hopefully do my own biological research.

After reading the Stewart and Janovy chapters

1. What I found most interesting about the Stewart reading is that people with a degree in math have the highest paying jobs. Also the examples Stewart gave for where people with a degree in math could be working was interesting to me because personally I always thought that a degree in math could only lead to eventually teaching it and not to other fields.
2. What I found the most interesting about the Janovy reading is how she wanted to be a “naturalist” and believed he was too late to be that. It was interesting how he related himself to Darwin and believed that if he was born around the time that Darwin lived, he might’ve done something similar to him
3. To be a biologist is to study nature and understand the balance within living organisms. A biologist is both a teacher and a researcher. Being a biologist also involve studying and using other forms of science like physics, chemistry, and social science. It also means to have a sense of wonder for exploring and learning more. After reading this, I still consider myself a biologist because I feel like Janovy basically explained what I aspire to be and what I see myself doing now and in the future.
4. To be a mathematician it means to see the details in things rather than the outside picture only. It also means to improve basically everything like technology, internet, biology and medicine by doing complex math related to it. I still do not consider myself a mathematician because that is not the part of my field that I focus on. Perhaps later I will be more interested in things like genetics and find myself to be a mathematician as well as a biologist.
5. The two readings are similar in that they both explained the relevance of their fields, biology and math. The also both provided guidance in how to be a biologist and a mathematician. They also both explained how other forms of science relate to their field. They are different in that one was focusing in biology and the other was focusing in math. Also one talking mainly about a personal experience and the other was addressing someone who decided to be a mathematician.

Refrences

Dahlquist, K. & Fitzpatrick, B.G. (2019). Biomathematical Modeling Week 1 Assignment Page

Janovy K. (2004) On Becoming a BIologist (2nd ed.), Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, pp. 1-33

Stewart i. (2007). Letters to a Young Mathematician, New York, NY: Basic Books, pp 1-10, 45-53.

Acknowledgements

• I worked with my homework partner, Angela Abarquez over text in this project.

Angela Abarquez Journal Entry Week 1

Stewart Pre-Reading Questions

1. When I hear the word mathematics, I think of graphs, derivatives, and intricate equations.
2. I do consider myself a mathematician because I active practice mathematics, both in my classes and in my job as a math tutor.

Janovy Pre-Reading Questions

1. When I hear the word biology, I think of cells, medicine, and all living things.
2. I consider myself a biologist because I am actively pursuing a career in medicine, which is centered around biology. I also am an active biologist when I do labs and other coursework for my classes.

Post-Questions

1. I enjoyed how Stewart was able to connect mathematics to several things in everyday life to prove that it really applies to everyone. This reading really pushed me to think of the discipline in a way I haven’t before. I also enjoyed seeing his true passion for math through his writing. I liked how the first chapter started with him bringing up the notion that mathematicians don't make much money and then later proving that this is false. I also like the idea of making math more known by putting stickers on everything with math inside. While this may not be practical, I do agree that people should be more aware of how much math is going on behind the scenes.
2. I was most struck by Jonovy's words about maintaining both a general and specialized view when going into a career in biology. It is important to focus on a specific specialty, however this can make it easy to lose sight of the 'bigger picture' that is multidisciplinary. I definitely feel like sometimes it's easy for me to get carried away with my interest in medicine and forget about the more broad goals of biology that involve much more than just humans.
3. A biologist must have a passion to do research and develop new knowledge to contribute to the field, while also maintaining an understanding of the balance between disciplines. After reading Jonovy's work, I still consider myself a biologist because I strive to further understand this balance between systems and how everything is interconnected.
4. A mathematician must be able to see past a single equation or textbook problem and be able to apply the concepts learned to everyday life. The fact that there is math behind vegetables is something people probably don't think about or think they need to know. However a mathematician sees the value in knowing and understanding the math behind things, and this passion makes them unique. After reading Stewart's work, I don't think I consider myself a mathematician because I struggle to see or fully appreciate the math that drives a lot of things in everyday life.
5. These readings are similar in the way that each author is advocating for the importance and relevance of their field. They both also acknowledge the dependence of one on the other (math on biology and vice versa). The goals of the author are similar as they share their passions to help the reader better understand and appreciate the deeper meanings behind their disciplines.

Acknowledgements

I worked with my homework partner, Fatimah over text and FaceTime to discuss this assignment. All readings were provided on Brightspace by Dr. Dahlquist and Dr. Fitzpatrick (see References below).

Except for what is noted above, this individual journal entry was completed by me and not copied from another source. Angela C Abarquez (talk) 00:26, 24 January 2019 (PST)

References

Dahlquist, K. & Fitzpatrick, B.G. (2019). Biomathematical Modeling Week 1 Assignment Page

Janovy K. (2004) On Becoming a BIologist (2nd ed.), Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, pp. 1-33

Stewart i. (2007). Letters to a Young Mathematician, New York, NY: Basic Books, pp 1-10, 45-53.