Biomathematics

Biomathematics

MISSION STATEMENT
An increasing number of problems in the biological sciences are being solved using sophisticated mathematical and computational tools. The biomathematics degree blends mathematics, biology, and computer science in preparation for continued graduate studies and for careers in the quantitative life sciences. The degree's mission is to provide a world class undergraduate education in applied mathematics used in support of the life sciences.

The degree's mission is supported and motivated by these facts:

• Biological data is being generated with unprecedented precision and in unfathomable volumes.
• Quantifying biological observations requires mathematical and statistical analysis.
• The basic principles of complex biological systems support mathematical and computational modeling, which can lead to testable hypotheses and new discoveries.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The biomathematics degree will provide a broad based undergraduate experience that 1) prepares students with a rigorous education in applied mathematics, 2) educates students in the fundamental principles of biology, 3) trains students to work in a computational arena, 4) introduces students to several of the sister disciplines of computational biology, mathematical biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, and biostatistics, and 5) guides students through an advanced undergraduate research project. The degree will also liberally educate students through the study of the humanities and social sciences. Students of the program will be encouraged to participate in external and internal research programs and industrial internships and/or co-ops.

Graduates of the biomathematics program will have an ability to:

1. Mathematically model, solve, and analyze problems in biomathematics.
2. Implement computational approaches to solve and analyze problems in biomathematics.
3. Write lucidly about biomathematics.
4. Speak fluently and coherently about biomathematics.
5. Synthesize new and previous knowledge through a capstone experience.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Graduates will be prepared for graduate study in any of the sister fields as well as for careers in the quantitative life sciences. Each graduate will complete a capstone research experience that will culminate in a written report and a public presentation.

 *Requirements: 3 Free Electives 12 hours, 3 MA Electives 12 hours, 5 Tech Electives 20 hours, 1 Domain Elective  4 hours

SUMMARY OF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
HSSA	Standard requirement, one course must be ENGL H290	36 hours
RHIT	RHIT 100	1 hour
Math Core	MA 111, 112, 113, 200, 221, 222, 332, 371 or 373, 381, and 223 or 382	40 hours
Biomath Core	BMTH 311, BMTH 312, BMTH 413, and one of BMTH 301 OR BMTH 302	16 hours
Basic Science	BIO 110, 130, 120 or 210, 220, and 230 CHEM 111, 113 PH 111, 112 one of CHEM 251 or PH 113	40 hours
Computer Science	CSSE 120	4 hours
Capstone Experience	BMTH 496, 497, 498	8 hours
Domain Elective	Any of the following, with no course substitutions permitted. BIO 330 Evolutionary Biology 4R-0L-4C W (alternate years) Prereq. BIO 130 CHEM 330 Biochemistry I 4R-0L-4C F,S Prereq. CHEM 251 CSSE 304 Programming Language Concepts 4R-0L-4C W Prereq. CSSE 230 and CSSE 280 MA 366 Introduction to Real Analysis 4R-0L-4C W Prereq. MA 371 and either MA 275 or MA 276	4 hours
Math Electives	Any mathematics course numbered 300 or above, or MA 275, or MA 276	8 hours
Biomathematics  Electives	Any BMTH course numbered 300 or above, or MA 482	4 hours
Technical Electives	Courses numbered 200 or above in the physical sciences, life sciences, computer science, or engineering. Coursework in mathematics and biomathematics is not allowed.	20 hours
Free Electives		12 hours
Total		193 hours

FOCUS AREAS

Students earning a major in Biomathematics are encouraged to gain depth in a particular mathematical or scientific area. By pursuing focused coursework in the following suggested areas, students will advance their preparation for graduate studies or careers in mathematical life sciences. Gaining depth through advanced electives also provides biomathematics students with an opportunity to apply knowledge gained through BMTH coursework. The following focus areas are illustrative examples to consider.

Applied Mathematics

BE 350 Biocontrol Systems
MA 275/375 Discrete and Combinatorial Algebra I/II
MA 332 Intro. to Computational Science [required for major]
MA 330 Vector Calculus
MA 342 Computational Modelings
MA 366 Real Analysis
MA 367 Functions of a Complex Variable
MA 436 Introduction to Partial Differential Equations
MA 472 Graph Theory
MA 491 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling

Biochemistry

BMTH 312 Bioinformatics
BMTH 310 Mathematical Biology
CHEM 251/252/253 Organic Chemistry I/II/III
CHEM 326 Bioanalytical Chemistry
CHEM 330/331 Biochemistry I/II
CHEM 430 Advanced Biochemistry

Bioinformatics & Biostatistics

BMTH 312 Bioinformatics
MA 381 Intro. to Probability with Statistics [required for major]
MA 382 Intro. to Statistics with Probability
MA 382 Engineering Statistics II
MA 386 Statistical Programming
MA 482 Bioengineering Statistics

Biomechanics

BE 361 Biomaterials
BE 525 Biomedical Fluid Mechanics
BE 534 Soft Tissue Mechanics
BE 539 Multiscale Biomechanics
BE 545 Orthopedic Biomechanics

Biophysics

PH 302 Biophysics
BE 525 Biomedical Fluid Mechanics

Cellular and Molecular Biology

BIO 220/230 Prokaryotic/Eukaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology [required for major]
BIO 205 Cellular Physiology
BIO 411 Genetic Engineering
BIO 421 Applied Microbiology
BIO 431 Genomics and Proteomics
BMTH 310 Mathematical Biology
CHEM 455 Natural Products [offered irregularly]

Computational Biology

BMTH 310 Mathematical Biology
BMTH 413 Computational Biology
CSSE 220 Object Oriented Software Development
CSSE 333 Database Systems
CSSE 403 Programming Language Paradigms
CSSE 431 Artificial Intelligence
MA/CS 335 Introduction to Parallel Computing
MA 342 Computational Modeling
MA 433 Numerical Analysis
MA 435 Finite Difference Methods
MA/CS 473 Design and Analysis of Algorithms

Ecology

BIO 130 Evolution and Diversity
BIO 264 Introduction to Environmental Science
BIO 320 Ecology
BMTH 310 Mathematical Biology

CHEM 371 Environmental Analytical Chemistry

Epidemiology & Pathology

BE 310/320 Analysis of Physiological Systems I/II
BIO 410 Infection and Immunity
BIO 441 Virology
BIO 451 Cancer Biology
BIO 461 Evolutionary Medicine
BIO 471 Genetic and Molecular Analysis of Inherited Human Disease
BMTH 310 Mathematical Biology

 

Evolution

BIO 130 Evolution and Diversity
BIO 330 Evolutionary Biology
BIO 461 Evolutionary Medicine
SV 386 Human Evolution

Imaging and Optics

BE 435 Biomedical Optics
ECE 480 Introduction to Image Processing
BE 541 Medical Imaging Systems
MA 429 Mathematical Methods of Image Processing
PH 302 Biophysics

 

Medicine

BIO 120 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
BIO 410 Infection and Immunity
BIO 441 Virology
BIO 451 Cancer Biology
BIO 461 Evolutionary Medicine
BIO 471 Genetic and Molecular Analysis of Inherited Human Disease
BE 541 Medical Imaging Systems
CHEM 251/252/253 Organic Chemistry I/II/III
CHEM 330/331 Biochemistry I/II

CHEM 420 Advanced Biochemistry

Physiology

BIO 120 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
BIO 205 Cellular Physiology
BE 310/320 Analysis of Physiological Systems I & II
BE 520 Introduction to Brain Machine Interfaces
 

SECOND MAJOR IN BIOMATHEMATICS
The second major in biomathematics is open to all majors with the following requirements and restrictions. Eligibility and limitations

• The MA/BMTH double major must be separated by at least 24 hours.

REQUIREMENTS (72 HOURS)
Math Core	MA 221. 332, 371 or 373, 381, and 223 or 382	20 hours
Biomath Core	BMTH 311, BMTH 312, BMTH 413, and one of BMTH 301 OR BMTH 302	16 hours
Math Electives	Any mathematics course numbered 300 or above, or MA275, or MA 276	8 hours
Biomathematics Electives	Any BMTH course numbered 300 or above, or MA482	4 hours
Biology	BIO 110 and three courses from different categories described below BIO 130 BIO 120 or 210 BIO 205 or 230 BIO 220	16 hours
Senior Capstone Experience	BMTH 496, 497, 498	8 hours

 MINOR IN BIOMATHEMATICS

Any student not pursuing a major or second major in biomathematics may obtain a minor in biomathematics by taking the following courses:

REQUIREMENTS (47 HOURS)
Math Core	MA 111, 112, 113, 221, 222, and 223 or 382	27 hours
Biomath Core	any three BMTH courses numbered 300 or above	12 hours
Biology	BIO 110 and one of BIO 205, 210, 220, 230	8 hours

Approval and Biomathematics Minor Form
All minors must be approved by the biomathematics minor advisor and the student’s advisor. The department has a form for the planning and approval of a biomathematics minor.

Notes and Limitations on Requirements:

• Almost all students are required to take six foundational courses as a requirement for their major; therefore only five "extra courses" are required for most students.
• Only MA 111, MA 112, MA 113, MA 221, MA 222 and one of MA 223, MA 381, or MA 382 can be counted towards any combination of the multiple minors offered by the mathematics department.
• Biomathematics courses cannot be used to count toward both Free Mathematics Electives for a mathematics major and also towards a biomathematics minor.