UBM: Foundation in mathematical biology through interdisciplinary research, training, and curriculum development

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This proposal enables faculty at Washington State University to develop an interdisciplinary program in mathematical biology for undergraduates. This program increases participation and provides solid training for students in this interdisciplinary field. The program includes cross-disciplinary training in mathematics and biology, collaborative research projects in biomathematics, and curriculum development. The research projects will address emerging questions in modern mathematical biology. Sample projects include population growth, tumor formation, and analyses of gene expression patterns. Projects will typically involve working with members of senior investigators' laboratories and contribute to research publications. The new undergraduate mathematical biology course combined with research projects will strengthen connections between classroom learning, research methods, and the scientific literature. This program expands a pilot training program in mathematical biology funded by NSF. A new course and new seminar in mathematical biology will be developed, and research opportunities for undergraduates expanded. The program will build a foundation for comprehensive undergraduate education in mathematical biology. Faculty efforts will be informed by consulting nationally recognized experts in mathematical biology training. Proposed course changes include a biology-motivated calculus course sequence, a freshman quantitative biology course, an advanced mathematical modeling course for biologists, and a laboratory course for both math and biology majors.