Ph.D. with Certificate in Interdisciplinary Quantitative Biology
Purpose of the Program
The IQ Biology program is designed to prepare graduate students for interdisciplinary and collaborative research at the intersection of mathematics, computational biology, bioengineering, biophysics, and image analysis, fostering an interdisciplinary culture in the early years of training. The Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics with a certificate in IQ Biology will strengthen this training with foundations in numerical and mathematical analysis, probability and statistics, mathematical biology, and network analysis.
Admission to the Program
IQ Biology is currently accepting applications from existing CU Ph.D. students. For more information, visit http://IQBiology.Colorado.edu, and contact Jana Watson-Capps at IQBiology@colorado.edu.
New students apply directly to the IQ Biology program (http://iqbiology.colorado.edu/application), and are first evaluated by the IQ Biology Admissions Committee. An applicant with an interest in Applied Mathematics should indicate this in the application.
Admitted students are nominally enrolled in one of the home departments that pre-approved them. By May of the first year, however, each student must choose a home department among the departments that pre-approved him or her.
IQ Bio Curriculum in Applied Mathematics
IQ Biology students pre-approved by Applied Mathematics may count the IQ Biology Core courses as 12 of the 30 credits required outside Applied Mathematics for the successful completion of the Ph.D.
In addition to Applied Mathematics Ph.D. requirements, the following courses and requirements are mandatory for the Applied Mathematics Ph.D. with a Certificate in IQ Biology:
Year 1:
Quantitative Biology Foundations (IQ Biology Core course, 6 credits)
Statistics and Computations for Genomes and Meta-Genomes (IQ Biology Core course, 3 credits)
Forces in Biology (IQ Biology Core course, 3 credits)
One or two other graduate courses to fill gaps in background related to quantitative biology and pre-approved by the IQ Biology Mentoring Committee
Three 10-week lab rotations with IQ Biology faculty
Years 1-5:
Attend the IQ Biology Seminar and Workshop Series
Year 2:
Start thesis research with IQ Biology faculty in Applied Mathematics (co-advising with mentors outside Applied Mathematics is encouraged), and present at the IQ Biology Symposium. For information about IQ Biology faculty, visit http://iqbiology.colorado.edu/faculty.
Years 2-3:
Applied Analysis series (APPM 5440, APPM 5450; 6 credits)
Numerical Analysis series (APPM 5600, APPM 5610; 6 credits)
Probability and Statistics series (APPM 5520, APPM 5560; 6 credits)
One Science Ethics Course (e.g., CHEM 5776; 1 credit)
Years 2-5:
Attend Applied Mathematics colloquia.
Years 3-5:
Participate on the IQ Biology Symposium Organization Committee.
Preliminary Exams:
Pass at least three of the following preliminary exams in Applied Math, with a Ph.D. Research Pass in at least two of them: Applied Analysis, Numerical Analysis, and Probability & Statistics
Comprehensive Exam:
The comprehensive examination must be completed by the end of Year 3.
Dissertation:
Thesis research needs to be carried out with a faculty advisor in Applied Mathematics, and the Ph.D. thesis committee must include at least one other IQ Biology faculty member.
For details on IQ Biology curriculum, visit: http://iqbiology.colorado.edu/programs/curriculum-overview.
