It has been predicted that the 21st century will be “the century of biology.” And as biology and biotechnology become more important in the coming decades, so will the application of quantitative methods to biological science. Mathematical and computational components are vital to many areas of contemporary biological research, such as genomics, molecular modeling, structural biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and systems analysis of neurobiology, physiology and metabolism. HMC students interested in the interface between biology and mathematics may pursue the Mathematical Biology Major, which is jointly administered by the Biology and Mathematics Departments.

This major prepares students for graduate studies in either biology or applied mathematics or for employment in industry. HMC’s technical core provides mathematical biology majors with a strong multidisciplinary foundation, and the college offers many opportunities for students to engage in interdisciplinary research in biomathematics and quantitative biology. Students who choose this major become immersed in the scientific and intellectual cultures of both biology and mathematics, and the major is sufficiently flexible to allow students to concentrate in a particular area of mathematical biology. Students in this major have both a Biology advisor and a Mathematics advisor, who will help them plan a program tailored to the their interests and goals.

For additional information, please contact the mathematical biology advisors:
• Dr. Stephen Adolph, associate professor of biology
• Dr. Lisette dePillis, professor of mathematics

Requirements for the Mathematical Biology Major