Biomathematics

College: Arts and Sciences
Degree: BS or BA
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

Mathematics is a vital foundation for science, social science and technology. A student in mathematics can look forward professionally to employment in an industrial or financial firm, a governmental agency, or teaching in secondary, college or university institutions. Alternatively, a degree in the department can be regarded as the central component of a liberal education, either for its own sake or as preparation for professional study in another field. Biomathematics is designed to prepare the student for admission to medical school.

Note: Prospective transfer students should contact as-admissions@fsu.edu (Arts & Sciences Admissions) with specific questions about admission and mapping requirements.

Prerequisite Coursework

State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites
The state of Florida has identified common program prerequisites for this University degree program. Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program.

Prerequisite Coursework

Students should complete the following prerequisites as possible during the first two years. Prerequisite courses may be used to fulfill the mathematics and science requirements for Liberal Studies.

MAC X311 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MAC X312 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
MAC X313 (4) Calculus with Analytic Geometry III (5 credits @ FSU)
MAP X302 (4) Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits @ FSU)
*XXX XXXX (4-5) One laboratory based science course designed for science majors, BSCX010/X010L or BSCX010C, CHM X045/X045L or CHMX045C, PHYX048/X048L or PHYX048C, or GLYX010/X010L or GLYX010C (PHY X048C or X048 & X048L is strongly suggested as it is required for the major)
*COPX271C, COP2210, COP2270, COP2272C, COP2001, COP1500, or COP2006 (3) A scientific programming course designed for computer science majors

*See major requirements before selecting courses to meet these prerequisites.

A “C” grade or better in all coursework is required for admission.

Students are strongly encouraged to select required lower division electives that will enhance their general education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements

Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include:
The College of Arts and Science requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.

Requirement for Progression to and Continuation in the Upper-Division Major
A final grade of “C minus” or better is required in all courses to be counted toward these degrees. Upon formal admission to the major, a student must not accumulate more than 2 unsatisfactory grades (grades below a "C minus" or grades of "U") in courses required for the major, excluding State Common Program Prerequisites listed as Term 1 - 4 Milestones, taken after enrolling in FSU. For all math majors, collateral courses include COP3014 or ISC3313, PHY2048C and STA3032. For Biomathematics, it also includes the collateral biology and chemistry courses. Exceptions to this policy require a petition to the department.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (41 hours beyond prerequisites)
Courses at the 4000 level applied toward the degree must be taken at FSU unless specifically exempted by the Chair on written request. A final grade of C minus or higher is required in all courses taken for the major.

The following courses are required of all mathematics majors: (18 hours).
MAS 3105 (4) Applied Linear Algebra
MAD 2104 (3) Discrete Mathematics I or MGF 3301 (3) Introduction to Advanced Mathematics
STA 3032 (3) Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists or STA 4322 (3) Mathematical Statistics (requires STA 4321)
COP 3014 (3) Programming I or ISC 3313 (3) Introduction to Scientific Computing. (COP 3014 will satisfy the Digital Literacy requirement and may also be used to satisfy one of the prerequisite requirements).
PHY 2048C (5) General Physics A with Laboratory. This may also apply as prerequisite science.

Biomathematics: (31 hours)

Required mathematics course: (3 hours)
MAP 4481 (3) Mathematical Modeling in Biology

All of the following collateral courses: (19 hours)
BSC 2010 and BSC2010L (3, 1) Biological Science I and Lab
BSC 2011 and BSC2011L (3,1) Biological Science II and Lab
CHM 1045 and CHM1045L (3,1) General Chemistry I and Lab
CHM 1046 and CHM1046L (3,1) General Chemistry II and Lab
PCB 3063 (3) General Genetics

Additional coursework: (9 hours)
Choose from the following list:

MAA 4224 (3) Intro to Analysis or MAA 4226 Advanced Calculus I
MAA 4227 (3) Advanced Calculus II
MAA 4402 (3) Complex Variables
MAD 4300 (3) Graph Theory and Networks
MAP 4180 (3) Game Theory
MAP 4153 (3) Vector Calculus
MAP 4202 (3) Calculus of Variations
MAP 4341 (3) Partial Differential Equations I
MAP 4342 (3) Partial Differential Equations II
MAS 4106 (3) Linear Algebra II
MAT 4934 (3) Honors in the Major
MTG 4302 (3) Topology
CHM 2211 (3) Organic Chemistry II
or other approved 4000-level math courses

Minor Coursework: (0 hours)
A minor is not required for Biomathematics.

Digital Literacy: (0 hours beyond major)
COP 3014 (3) Programming I meets this requirement for this major.

Oral Communication Competency: (0-3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with a University approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
Liberal Studies Education 36
Prerequisite Coursework 24
Major Coursework 41 beyond prerequisites
Minor Coursework 0
Digital Literacy 0 beyond major
Oral Competency 0-3
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Electives to bring total hours to 120

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. Students who plan to earn the B. A. degree must complete both a foreign language through the intermediate (2200 or equivalent) level and nine additional hours in the fields of history and humanities.

Employment Information
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Mathematician; teacher: high school, college, university; statistician, econometrist; operations research analyst; systems analyst; technical writer.

Representative Employers: Engineering and financial firms, high schools, governmental agencies, colleges and universities, research/development firms.