Document Actions
Mathematical Biology Curriculum
Truman State University is one of the few schools in the state to offer an undergraduate program in mathematical biology. What makes it stand out from all other programs, nationwide, is the way the program relies on high-quality, faculty mentored undergraduate research experiences to deliver students the training and knowledge that they will need to be professionals in this highly interdisciplinary field. Such research experiences are the centerpiece of a new minor that is in development and that we anticipate being able to offer starting in Fall 2008.
Program Courses
While we recognize that interdisciplinary research experiences offer unique and important learning experiences for students seeking interdisciplinary training, the Mathematical Biology Program also provides students with a more traditional introduction to the subject through lecture and lab (and combination) courses. These 'traditional' courses, described below, are interdisciplinary by design. These special courses include:
- Topics: Intro to Scientific Programming (MATH 288)
- The ability to leverage the computational and analytic power of computers is becoming increasingly important to those working in all scientific areas. This course aims to introduce students of science (and other data intensive majors) to the virtue of using computers in a scientific context. The course expects no previous programming experience. This course is generally offered each fall, but the introduction of CS 170 (Introduction to CS with python) has provided a viable alternative programming course for mathematics and science majors. (See the program's course site for More Info.)
- Topics in Statistics: Biostatistics (STAT 380)
- Biostatistics is a rapidly growing field within statistics, with specialists working for pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, environmental non-profits, and a variety of other industries. Completion of this class will prepare you for a variety of graduate school opportunities or for many popular jobs in industry. NOTE: This course is comparable in scope and level to other STAT courses taught at the 300-level. This course is generally offered each fall. (See the program's course site for More Info.)
- Bioinformatics (CS 325 and BIOL 518)
- A hands-on, project-oriented interdisciplinary introduction to molecular bioinformatics. The course defines bioinformatics as the science of examining the structure, function, and evolution of biological molecules (especially nucleic acids and proteins) through the use of computational analysis, statistics, visualization, and pattern recognition. This course is designed for sophomore through senior level biology and computer science students. The course may also be taken by mathematics students with programming skills and by chemistry students with interest and prior coursework in genetics. Each course unit will begin with a biological system from which quantitative information can be extracted, use the techniques of bioinformatics to analyze the data, and finally return to the original system to understand or interpret the biological significance of the results. Whenever possible, students will work in interdisciplinary teams on problem sets and will help each other learn the language and techniques of their respective disciplines. This course is generally offered each spring. (See the program's course site for More Info.)
- Introduction to Mathematical Biology (MATH 345 and BIOL 345)
- Students will study papers drawn from research literature in which mathematics is used to model biological systems, encompassing the molecular level to the community level of organization. Topics from matrix algebra, differential equations, discrete mathematics, probability and statistics will be introduced and developed through lectures, readings, and a computer lab. Data will be drawn from a variety of sources, including student laboratory experiments, research papers, and scientific databases. The course meets for two hours of lectures and two hours of biology or computer lab each week. Cross-listed as BIOL 345 and MATH 345, this course will be team-taught by a biologist and a mathematician. Prerequisites: MATH 198 and a biology course, each with a grade of C or better , or permission of instructors. This course is offered each spring. (See the program's course site for More Info.)
Generally, these courses are intended for students in their second or later year of college.
The Mathematical Biology minor
The Mathematical Biology Program anticipates having the ability offer an interdisciplinary minor in mathematical biology starting in the Fall of 2008. This would be the first such minor available to undergraduates in the state of Missouri.
For students majoring in biology, the proposed minor degree will certify a mastery of mathematical and computational approaches to questions arising in the life sciences as well as an ability to communicate with mathematical scientists. For students majoring in mathematics or computer science, the minor degree will certify an ability to apply their skills to questions arising in the life sciences and to collaborate with life scientists. For students of other majors (e.g., physics) the minor will certify an ability to do technical interdisciplinary work that involves the life and mathematical sciences. Use of an electronic portfolio and evidence-based minor requirements allows the minor to maintain high academic standards of quality while giving it the flexibility to support and accommodate students with widely varying backgrounds.
Minor Philosophy and Requirements
To earn the proposed minor degree in mathematical biology, an undergraduate student will seek out experiences that lead to the following key proficiencies:
- Data Acquisition: Acquiring data on biological phenomena in a lab, in the field, or both.
- Modeling: Developing or applying mathematical models in a biological context.
- Computation: Developing or applying computational tools in a biological context.
- Statistical Analysis: Applying statistical testing of biological hypotheses.
- Research: Investigating an open-ended question by conducting research at the intersection of the life and mathematical sciences.
Evidence for each of these should be roughly equivalent to what might be done for a substantial end-of-term project in a three-credit course. A minor will be awarded to those students who design a learning plan for the courses and experiences that will, when taken as a whole, provide evidence of acquiring the above key proficiencies. At its most basic, a minor learning plan will show when and how students will satisfy the minor’s course-based requirements. But beyond this, the learning plan will require the students to explain how the courses and experiences they select for their minor relate to one another and how they will provide the evidence required for the minor. The plan will require students to anticipate how they will use the courses to come to a deeper understanding of how to conduct interdisciplinary work at the interface of the life and mathematical sciences.
A form for drafting a student's learning plan is being developed for Fall 2008.
Basic Minor Requirements
The most basic requirements of the minor are the following:
- a minimum of 15 credit hours in residence at Truman with at least 9 credit hours at or above the 300 level, including
- Introduction to Mathematical Biology (co-listed as BIOL 345 and MATH 345; 3 credits)
- at least two MABI Seminar courses (1 credit each) [these seminars will be developed starting in the Fall of 2008]
- at least one credit-bearing interdisciplinary research experience (3 credits),
- all courses must count toward a biology, mathematics, or computer science major or minor (or their required support), with no more than one course “double-counted” for the requirements of a single major, and
- attendance at a combination of 10 meetings (over two semesters) of interdisciplinary professional seminars of the Mathematical Biology program and its allied programs.
All minor requirements and their satisfaction will be tracked using a portfolio system (which is in development). Portfolio categories will reflect the five key proficiencies central to the minor program as well as the expectation of seminar attendance, the existence of a learning plan that (largely) precedes pursuit of the minor, and a reflective statement written at the end of the student’s time at Truman. The freedom afforded by a portfolio approach embraces the many kinds of opportunities provided by Truman’s curriculum, as well as by experiences like internships and undergraduate research programs (both on- and off-campus).
Possible sources of evidence
A student interested in earning the minor in mathematical biology will be asked to demonstrate proficiency in each of the five areas described above. One demonstrates proficiency by providing evidence of proficiency. Evidence may come from any number of sources, including (multiple) research experiences, courses, internships, and independent study. The minor does not put constraints on how a student gains these proficiencies. For example, a student might take Ecology (BIOL 510) and learn enough statistical modeling to demonstrate a proficiency in the 'Statistical Analysis' proficiency. Or a student might take Topics in Mathematical Modeling (MATH 530) and learn how to use mathematical models in a biological context. Neither of these courses are interdisciplinary by design, but they could be taught in ways that lend themselves directly to the minor.
Official Paperwork
For those interested in knowing more about what has gone in to creating this minor, we provide some documents for your reading pleasure. These documents include the formal proposal for the minor along with two 'one-pagers' used to give faculty colleagues and members of faculty governance and overview of the program as they prepared to decide on its fate.
