In this terrible new COVID-19 world, the University of Ottawa is doing its part by offering a 50% discount on this very important book. We decided not to rewrite the witty book description, though we realize it is tone-deaf at the present moment, as we wanted to give readers a sense of the tone of this title. But don’t be deceived: while a fun read, this book will help you better understand how epidemiologists, governments and health care planners use mathematical models to figure out how quickly epidemics and pandemics spread, in order to plan appropriately. Reading has perhaps never been as important, and this book should be at the top of your reading list. You’re outnumbered, in fear for your life, surrounded by flesh-eating zombies. What can save you now? Mathematics, of course. Mathematical Modelling of Zombies engages the imagination to illustrate the power of mathematical modelling. Using zombies as a “hook,” you’ll learn how mathematics can predict the unpredictable. In order to be prepared for the apocalypse, you’ll need mathematical models, differential equations, statistical estimations, discrete time models, and adaptive strategies for zombie attacks—as well as baseball bats and Dire Straits records (latter two items not included).In Mathematical Modelling of Zombies, Robert Smith? brings together a highly skilled team of contributors to fend off a zombie uprising. You’ll also learn how modelling can advise government policy, how theoretical results can be communicated to a nonmathematical audience and how models can be formulated with only limited information. A forward by Andrew Cartmel—former script editor of Doctor Who, author, zombie fan and all-round famous person in science-fiction circles—even provides a genealogy of the undead. By understanding how to combat zombies, readers will be introduced to a wide variety of modelling techniques that are applicable to other real-world issues (biology, epidemiology, medicine, public health, etc.). So if the zombies turn up, reach for this book. The future of the human race may depend on it.
Published in English.

Without really intending, Robert Smith? appears to have accidentally created the subdiscipline of Mathematical Modelling of Zombies. By day, he’s a professor of biomathematics at the University of Ottawa, studying infectious diseases such as HIV, human papillomavirus and various tropical diseases. By night, he’s a writer, having written or edited Outside In: 160 New Perspectives on 160 Classic Doctor Who Stories by 160 Writers (ATB Publishing, 2012), Who Is The Doctor: The Unofficial Guide to the New Series (ECW Press, 2012), Braaaiiinnnsss: From Academics to Zombies (UOP, 2011), and Modelling Disease Ecology with Mathematics (American Institute of Mathematics Sciences, 2008).

Robert Smith?'s profile page

Andrew Cartmel's profile page

• Short-listed, Eric Hoffer Book Award