Mathematical Systems Biology Minor

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This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2024-25.

Holm (Chair of the Department of Biology)
Robertson (Chair of the Department of Mathematics)

Mathematical systems biology describes a field of inquiry in which mathematical and computational methods are used to examine complex, large-scale interactions between components of biological systems and to predict how these interactions influence the properties of those systems. The systems examined may range in scale from molecular through cellular and tissue levels to the scale of organisms and entire ecosystems. The unifying feature of this field is quantitative description of interactions between components of biological systems.

The interface between mathematics and biology is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of research in the sciences. The technological development of methods for generating large amounts of biological data — including genome sequence information, total protein analysis, metabolic information, etc. — demands the development of mathematical and computational methods for analyzing these data and for developing predictive models that use such large data sets. The multidisciplinary field of systems biology requires an understanding of both mathematical and biological concepts, insights into interesting questions in biology, and comprehension of the mathematical methods that can be used to address many of those questions. The mathematical systems biology minor provides students with the coursework in mathematics and biology required to begin to gain insights and experience in this important new field.

Minor Requirements

Course requirements are described below (six courses)

Required Courses

Both of the Following
One of the Following
One of the Following

Biology

One additional biology course from the following:

Mathematics

One additional mathematics course from the following:

Note:

Students declaring a minor in mathematical systems biology select an adviser from either the mathematics department or biology department. Those students minoring in mathematical systems biology who have declared a major in either biology or mathematics are required to choose a minor adviser from the department in which they are not majoring. The chair of the minor adviser's department approves and signs the mathematical systems biology minor declaration form. As with any minor at Colgate, no more than two of the courses applied to the minor may also be used for a major.

Biology Department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.

Mathematics Department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.