Mathematical modeling - the didactical connection between mathematics and the subject of natural science

The absence of strong curricular ties between mathematics and the subjects of natural science misrepresents contemporary research in science, and the need for more mathematics in science education should therefore be addressed. The method of mathematical modeling applies very broadly in many fields of physics, chemistry and biology. This paper focus on how to strengthen the educational relations between mathematics and the subjects of natural science by interdisciplinary teaching centered on modeling activities. As background interdisciplinary aspects of the scientific practice of mathematics and science is shortly addressed. The main part of the presentation consists of presentations of modeling as a core element in a framework for interdisciplinary teaching and illustrative examples of how this framework is implemented in undergraduate courses at University of Southern Denmark. It is concluded, that modeling activities provides a generic methodology serving as a common denominator for learning disciplines, such as mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics.