Combined M.S. and M.A. Program with MCD Biology
Purpose of the Program
This three-year interdisciplinary program offers two masters’ degrees, an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and an M.A. in MCD Biology.
The goal of the program is to produce well-trained applied mathematics students who are capable of making serious contributions leading to advancements in molecular biology. Such students will be well educated in computational sciences, statistics, probability, and molecular biology.
Admission to the Program
Students are expected to meet all requirements for admission to the graduate program in the Department of Applied Mathematics and to possess a basic science background suitable for pursuit of this dual degree. Students also are expected to meet minimum requirements for admission to the graduate program in MCD Biology.
Adequate undergraduate preparation consists of successful completion of basic courses on cell and molecular biology. Any student deemed deficient in either of these areas will be required to take Molecular Cell Biology I and II (MCDB 3135 and MCDB 3145) after enrollment.
Students will be required to apply to both programs, with Applied Mathematics designated as the primary program. Subject to joint recommendation and approval by both programs, incoming students will be admitted to this dual degree program as a regular part of the Applied Mathematics recruitment process.
Interested students should apply to the Applied Mathematics program and indicate their interest in the concurrent degree on their application.
The student will be expected to start both programs simultaneously, except in unusual cases when clearly nothing would be compromised. Continuation of the student beyond the first year is subject to approval by both programs.
Curriculum
The required curriculum in Applied Mathematics includes the following seven 3-credit courses: Methods of Applied Mathematics: Partial Differential and Integral Equations (APPM 5470), Numerical Analysis 1 and 2 (APPM 5600 and APPM 5610), Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (APPM 5520), Statistical Applications: Software and Methods (APPM 5580), Numerical Methods for Unconstrained Optimization (CSCI 6676), and two semesters of Independent Study in Applied Mathematics (APPM 6900).
One semester of APPM 6900 (2 credits) for this program will focus on a basic study of the principles of genetics. The second semester of APPM 6900 (1 credit) will focus on oral student presentations on thesis research, including fielding questions, responding to critiques, and presenting background information. Both sections of APPM 6900 will be arranged in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor, who will nominally serve as the course instructor.
This package of 21 credits provides the necessary background in general applied mathematics, computational mathematics, and statistics/probability for students to address challenging problems at the interface of applied mathematics and biology. This preparation is appropriate for either an academic or a commercial setting, especially in the emerging area of bioinformatics.
In MCD Biology, the core curriculum consists of 21 credits as follows. A student takes three 3-credit courses, usually during the second year: Cell Structure and Function (MCDB 5210), Gene Expression (MCDB 5230), and Topics in Developmental Genetics (MCDB 5250). In the third year, a student takes either Molecular Genetics (MCDB 5220) or Cell Signaling and Developmental Regulation (MCDB 5426). In addition, the student takes one 3-credit graduate elective in MCDB and 6 credits of Master’s Thesis (MCDB 6950). The graduate elective course can be the other of the two required courses listed above.
Master’s Prelim and Thesis Requirements
Within each department, 21 credits of core courses are required. The proposed MCD Biology courses fulfill the current Applied Mathematics requirement of an outside sequence and election of a third course. Similarly, the APPM courses serve as outside and elective courses to fulfill MCDB requirements.
Requirements for the Applied Mathematics master’s degree will be fulfilled by the non-thesis (Plan II) option.
Meanwhile, the requirements for a thesis (Plan I) program will apply to the MCDB master’s degree. Thesis hours count only toward the MCDB degree. A student must pass the MCDB preliminary exam (consisting of the exams in MCDB 5210 and MCDB 5230). Further, the student must successfully complete 6 credits of MCDB 6950 by writing a master’s thesis on original research in an area at the interface between Applied Mathematics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.
The graduate chairs of both departments must approve successful completion of their departments’ respective degree requirements before either degree is conferred.
Leaving the Program
A student will be terminated from the dual degree program if he/she is terminated from either individual program. The student may petition the Applied Mathematics graduate committee to remain in the Applied Mathematics master’s degree program if he/she was terminated from the MCDB program.
Students who are not making adequate progress (See M.S. Degree Requirements section) may be terminated from the Applied Mathematics program.
