Mathematica is a symbolic equation solver. This means that you can type in something like Integrate 2x + 5 and it will spit back x^2 + 5x + C. This is only the simplest example of what it can do. You can give much more complicated equations and ask it to integrate, differentiate, find roots, and many other mathematical operations. All functions can be plotted in many ways, and there are lots of other useful things included (fourier transforms, etc.).

This program has a pretty large learning curve, but once you get over the top of the curve it is a very powerful tool for doing all kinds of modelling. As such, it should be quite useful in an advanced undergraduate course or in graduate courses with an emphasis on modelling biology. For more introductory level courses, the program could probably be used by an instructor to make a model which students could then play with. However, if one of the other programs described in this FAQ includes the desired model then you should probably use the specialized program.

Computer: Macintosh, IBM, UNIX

Source: Available commercially through software stores and mail-order, or from Wolfram Research.

Cost: High

Last update 22nd of January 1996