Interdisciplinary Statistics and Biology

Mathematics and Statistics Courses required:

• MA 251, MA 252, MA 351: Calculus I-III
• ST 265 Biostatistics (or ST210 Introduction to Statistics)
• MA 301 Linear Algebra
• MA 395 Discrete Methods or MA 304 Ordinary Differential Equations (depending on track selected)
• Four 400 level Mathematical Sciences courses depending on track selected (see below)

Biology Courses required:

• BL 118, 119 Cellular and Molecular Biology and Lab       
• BL 121, 126 Organismal Biology and Lab
• BL 201, 202 Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity and Lab
• Five upper level (200 level or higher) Biology courses.

Note:
BL122 may be substituted for BL 201, 202.  BL 123 may be substituted for BL118, 119.  (Please consult the Biology dept. chair.)

Other Requirements:

• CS 151: Computer Science through Programming

Notes:
CS212: Object-Oriented Data Structures is strongly encouraged as an elective.
CH 101: General Chemistry I, is strongly encouraged as an elective.

Statistics Track

The discipline of biostatistics applies statistical theory and methodology to the biological sciences. Based in the mathematical sciences, biostatistics is concerned with developing an empirical basis for understanding biological mechanisms and for medical and health policy decisions that profoundly affect our lives.

Examples include:

• Designing and analyzing studies to determine if new drugs and medical devices are safe and effective (at a pharmaceutical company, medical research center, or the Food and Drug Administration)
• Designing studies for and analyzing data from agricultural experiments to increase productivity and yield (at an agricultural college or agribusiness corporation)
• The search for improved medical treatments rests on careful experiments that compare promising new treatments with the current state of the art. Statisticians work with medical teams to design the experiments and to analyze the complex data they produce.
• Studies of the environment require data on the abundance and location of plants and animals, on the spread of pollution form its sources, and on the possible effects of changes in human activities. The data are often incomplete or uncertain, but statisticians can help uncover their meaning.

Required Courses:

MA395: Discrete Methods
ST310: Statistical Computing
ST461: Elements of Statistical Theory: Distributions
ST465: Experimental Research Methods

Additional 400-level MA/ST course from:

ST462: Elements of Statistical Theory: Inference
ST466: Experimental Design
ST471: Statistical Quality Control
ST472: Applied Multivariate Analysis
MA/ST485: Stochastic Processes
ST491: Statistical Special Topics -when applicable