Mathematical Biology

An interdisciplinary minor that provides a background of courses at the intersection of Mathematics and Biology. Analysis of large quantative data sets is an increasingly essential skill in Biology, and through this minor, the student will gain a strong foundation in computational analysis. Biology courses can be completed via two paths, the Biomedical Path (Path A) or Ecological Path (Path B). Path A prepares a student for a career or further study in areas such as bioinformatics, biostatistics, biotechnology, or with opportunities in many biomedical-related fields including pharmaceuticals and genetic counseling. Path B prepares the student for a career or further study in environmental and ecology-related fields such as population genetics or mathematical ecology and modeling.

Technical Requirements:

Technical Requirements are courses identified by the program as required courses and will count in the BELL Core or as General Electives.

MTH 1210 Calculus I 4 Hours and
Path A:
BIO 1150 Principles of Biology I Lecture 3 Hours
BIO 1155 Principles of Biology I Lab 1 Hours
Or

Path B:
BIO 1160 Principles of Biology II Lecture 3 Hours
BIO 1165 Principles of Biology II Lab 1 Hours

Tool Courses:

MTH 1151 Elementary Statistics for the Sciences 3 Hours
MTH 1160 Data Analysis Lab for the Sciences 1 Hours

Core Math Courses, 10 Hours:

MTH 1220 Calculus II 4 Hours
DSC 1010 Introduction to Data Science 3 Hours
DSC 2010 Statistical Computing 3 Hours

Math / CSC Elective: 3 Hours

Select one of the following:

MTH 2151 Statistical Modeling 3 Hours
MTH 2240 Differential Equations 3 Hours
MTH 2260 Linear Algebra 3 Hours
MTH 3210 Probability 3 Hours
MTH 3270 Combinatorics 3 Hours
MTH 4170 Modeling and Simulation 3 Hours

Biology Courses, 7-8 Hours:

Select two classes from one of the following paths:

(must take at least 1 4-hour lab course)

Path A:

BIO 2330 Genetics 4 Hours
And one of the following:
BIO 3040 Cancer Biology 3 Hours
BIO 3140 Immunology 3 Hours
BIO 3760 Virology 3 Hours
BIO 3800 Molecular Genetics 4 Hours
BIO 3900 Bioinformatics/Genomics 4 Hours

Path B:

BIO 2500 Botany 4 Hours
BIO 3030 General Ecology 4 Hours
BIO 3070 Urban Ecology 3 Hours
BIO 3300 Animal Behavior 4 Hours
ENV 3200 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3 Hours

Mathematics Placement Test

Placement into Mathematics courses will be determined by the student’s Math ACT or Math SAT scores. Alternatively, students may take the Belmont Math placement exam, which is available on-line to all incoming first-year and transfer students during Towering Traditions. Math faculty members will be available to advise students about their Math courses during Towering Traditions, as well.

Questions about which courses taken at other colleges and universities may be substituted for Math requirements at Belmont should be directed to the chairperson of the Department of Mathematics/Computer Science or the associate dean of the School of Sciences.