The mathematical biology concentration consists of five courses, an integrative project, and participation in a Math Biology Symposium. A student may petition to count a course other than the pre-approved electives towards his or her concentration if the student can show and the director concurs that the course includes an integrative component related to mathematical and/or computational biology.
1. Mathematical Biology Core. The core course for the concentration is Math 236: Mathematics of Biology. This course presents the essential modeling techniques of formulation, implementation, validation, and analysis and applies these tools to a wide variety of biological systems and disciplines.
2. Exploring Biomathematics. All concentrators are required to take MaBio 130: Exploring Biomathematics. This 0.25 credit course allows students to work with different faculty each week to explore problems at the interface between mathematics and biology.
3. Mathematics/Computer Science/Statistics Electives. Two electives are required in MSCS that focus on modeling, computational, or statistical techniques. Courses that fulfill this requirement include the following:
Computer Science 125: Computer Science for Scientists and Mathematicians or Computer Science 251: Software Design and Implementation
Computer Science 315: Bioinformatics
Mathematics 230: Differential Equations I
Mathematics 242: Modern Computational Mathematics
Mathematics 330: Differential Equations II
Statistics 212: Statistics for the Sciences or Statistics 272: Statistical Modeling
Statistics 282: Topic: Biostatistics (pending that this will be offered regularly.
4. Biology Electives. Two course electives in biology are required. Courses that fulfill this requirement include the following:
Biology 233: Intermediate Genetics
Biology 247: Animal Physiology
Biology 261: Ecological Principles
Biology 315: Principles of Bioinformatics
Biology 371: Field Ecology
Biology 383: Evolutionary Biology
Biology/Environmental Studies 350: Biogeochemistry: Theory and Application
Neuroscience 239: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
5. Integrative Project. Students are required to work on an independent project that integrates mathematics, computer science, and/or statistics with biology. The project must be approved by the director in order for the student to finish the concentration. The level III biology electives in the concentration all include independent projects that allow a student to work on an integrative project for the concentration. Other experiences that could fulfill this requirement include a research project such as a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU); a project in the expanded Center for Interdisciplinary Research (eCIR); working with faculty to develop a module for a course; an independent research or independent study with a faculty member; or working with a faculty member to develop a computational lab that could be incorporated into an existing course.
6. Senior Math Biology Symposium. Seniors present their independent project in the form of a poster in a Mathematical Biology Symposium held at St. Olaf in the spring. The symposium is open to the public and provides students the opportunity to explain mathematical and biological concepts to a broad audience. In addition, the symposium is an event that brings together all the students in the concentration, thus strengthening the mathematical biology community here at St. Olaf.