Truman's Mathematical Biology program is built upon high quality, faculty-mentored interdisciplinary research experiences for our students. Such work leads to learning of a special kind and allows faculty to work with students on cutting-edge questions. Current and Past Projects in Mathematical Biology involving Truman faculty and undergraduates can be found here.

Such research experiences are available to students through Truman's Undergraduate Summer Research Stipend program, for-credit 'classes' such as Undergraduate Research (MATH 473, or BIOL 441/442/443), or Truman's NSF-funded RLC program, below. They have also been made available to community college students from our STEP Office's regional partner institutions.

The Research-focused Learning Community (RLC)

Our NSF UBM project establishes a community of faculty and students from biology and mathematics who work together in teams on questions that exist at the intersection of the life and mathematical sciences. This program has these interdisciplinary quartet of two biologists and two mathematical scientists, one student and one professor in each area, working together for a year or more. Current and past project can be found here.

Each team begins its work in January preparing for an intense 10-week period summer research followed by a Fall semester of writing, presenting, and other follow-up activities. Tying the teams together into community is a biweekly Mathematical Biology seminar and a coordinated series of summer workshops and discussion sessions on research-related skills. Field trips to regional graduate programs, industries, and business that value our skills and habits of mind provide students with opportunities for professional development.

After three years, this program has proved to be an excellent tool for motivating students to pursue interdisciplinary graduate degrees and careers. It has also allowed Truman State University to develop the infrastructure to sustain an undergraduate program in mathematical biology.

Applications for participation in the 2009 program will be available in October 2008.

The 2008 RLC Program

Look here for information for the 2008 RLC program's participants.