Schools with "Applied Math in Biology" majors??

College Search & Selection
#1

I’m having trouble finding enough schools with a sort of “biomathematics” major. An example of an ideal major would be Brown’s “Applied Mathematics-Biology” major because it features a lot of math, but at the same time, gives me the opportunity to knock out some pre-med courses with courses in the bio, orgo, and biochem. It also exposes me to directed-research.

I’m looking for a mix of schools in selectivity with good premed opportunities. Ideally, they’d be on the eastern half of the U.S and have great financial aid available (I live in OH and am in the 95-100k bracket).

#2

You can major in math but use out-of-major elective space to take pre-med courses and other biology courses.

#3

Are you looking for computational biology majors? Brown, CMU, Case, Virginia Tech, MIT, Rutgers.

#4

The Ohio State University has a “math biology track” in its math major:
https://math.osu.edu/undergrad/current-majors/requirements/biology
It does not automatically include all pre-med requirements (e.g. organic chemistry, physics), but those can be added in elective space. Since you will have completed most frosh/soph level math courses before high school graduation (based on your other thread), you should have plenty of elective space in your four year schedule.

#5

@ucbalumnus Compared to pure math, I feel that applied math is more practical and generally has a better job outlook in terms of a “Plan B.” Plus, a pure math major would recognize more theory rather than new data-driven paradigm in the biological sciences. I feel that it is ultimately more efficient too in terms of having more elective space.

#6

Note that some colleges may just have a “math major”, but within it have enough range of options to choose a pure or applied emphasis (and various subareas within pure or applied math), whether they are formalized as options or tracks (as at The Ohio State University) or not.

#7

@NJWrestlingmom Though it sounds similar, computational biology is not the same thing. Brown even has two distinct majors being “Applied Mathematics-Biology” and “Computational Biology.” The latter has far less math and is more computer science-oriented.

#8

This might be in the ballpark:
http://igs.wesleyan.edu/

#9

WPI offers a program in bioinformatics and computational biology “While many schools offer BCB as a concentration within a traditional Biology program, WPI’s program comprises three academic departments: Biology, Computer Science, and Mathematics.” Its project based curriculum, undergrad research opportunities, and proximity to UMASS Medical School make it a good fit for your goals. https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/bioinformatics-computational-biology

#10

Biostatistics (thinking that is similar) is a very common grad major but less common undergrad. But there’s no reason you can’t do statistics and bio double, or minor, or just take a lot of both courses. And take biostatistics if available too.

#11

Perhaps this could be a safer school. OU has very good pre health programs and their own D.O. program. They have a biology track. It’s in Ohio so it’s worth checking out.
https://www.ohio.edu/cas/math/undergrad/appliedmath/index.cfm
It also has a very quintessential college feel.

#12

My D is on this path at an LAC – she’s majoring in bio and will minor in applied math. Currently doing a biomath REU. There are two students from OSU’s biomath program mentioned above in her small cohort.

I think most schools have the bio and math courses to make this work – don’t need a special major. Her bio profs are very positive about math modeling, biostats, and computational science as good skills/tracks within bio.

Good luck!

#13

UMich has a relatively new major called Mathematical Biology under Mathematical Sciences:

https://lsa.umich.edu/math/undergraduates/major-and-minor-programs/mathematical-sciences.html

As does Harvey Mudd:

https://www.hmc.edu/mathematics/program/majors/mathematical-computational-biology-major/

Not sure about financial aid for either though.

#14

Just a fine point - OU is in Athens, Ohio, OSU is in Columbus, Ohio. Not clear if they both have it?

#15

My D is familiar with the students in the Ohio State program.