MATH 267/GLBL 267. Mathematical Issues in National Security
There are 30 class periods of 75 minutes length. There will be a reading list and reference list with links to websites. Guest lecturers will be invited.
Week 1 Introduction to Preventive Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction
Problems of transporting hazardous materials, infectious disease outbreaks, wildfires, and medical/nuclear/radiological waste disposal are all current day hazards of industrial societies that have to be dealt with routinely by first responders – firefighters, police, bomb squads, emergency medical teams (EMT). Weapons of mass destruction and how they fit into the landscape of responding to hazardous incidents will be discussed.
Week 2 Threat and Risk Assessment
The vulnerabilities of infrastructure and risk assessment will be discussed.
Week 3 A Game Theory approach to preventive defense
Game theory is a tool that can be used to assess strategies in dealing with potential attacks on civilians and military. We will give examples of how game theory can be used to create and assess strategies for preventive defense.
Week 4 State vs. Terrorist attacks
Defending against accidental and unauthorized attacks vs. deliberate attacks. What are the differences and similarities?
Week 5 Nature of chemical/biological agents
References for this part will be current material on the web.
Week 6 Nature of radiological/nuclear agents
References for this part will be current material on the web.
Week 7 Methods of delivery
The mathematics of ballistic and cruise missile flight will be discussed. The discussion will consider times and distances of flight and the possibility of interception. National missile defense for the United States and theater missile defense for forces in theater will be reviewed.
Week 8 Estimates of likelihood of attacks at home and abroad
Estimating the likelihood of attack is of major concern in shaping defense and response strategies. We will attempt to understand how such estimates are made and shape policy.
Spring Break Students prepare talks and papers.
Week 9 First responders and their preparedness
Summary of current preparedness for WMD.
Week 10 Public Health System and Biological Attacks
The public health system's response to infectious disease outbreaks; its role in dealing with a biological incident; and the epidemiological investigation.
Week 11 Probabilistic approaches to threat assessment
Week 12 Mathematics of detection and epidemiology for biological incidents
Week 13 Student presentations
Week 14 Student presentations
Week 15 Student presentations
Math 276 Homepage
Links to Websites
Reference List
Reading List
Last modified September 9, 2003