BA in Biomathematics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida State University

Program Overview

The BA in Biomathematics at Florida State University combines advanced mathematics with biological and physical sciences, making it particularly suitable for students interested in applying mathematical methods to biological systems, computational biology, bioinformatics, or medical study. Students develop a foundation in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, programming, statistics, biology, chemistry, genetics, physics, and mathematical modeling, with the program specifically designed to support preparation for medical school and graduate study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their mathematical and biological foundations through MAC 2311 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I, MAC 2312 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II, and BSC 2010 Biological Science I and Lab, followed by BSC 2011 Biological Science II and Lab. The first year also introduces programming through COP 3014 Programming I or ISC 3313 Introduction to Scientific Computing, connecting mathematical study with computational applications.

Year 2: Students progress into higher-level mathematics and the physical sciences with MAC 2313 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III, MAS 3105 Applied Linear Algebra, and MAP 2302 Ordinary Differential Equations. Chemistry becomes an important part of the interdisciplinary foundation through CHM 1045 General Chemistry I and Lab and CHM 1046 General Chemistry II and Lab, giving students the scientific background needed for biomathematical applications.

Year 3: The program moves more directly into the intersection of mathematics and biology through MAD 2104 Discrete Math I or MGF 3301 Introduction to Advanced Mathematics, PCB 3063 General Genetics, and MAP 4481 Mathematical Modeling in Biology. Students also complete PHY 2048C General Physics A with Lab and STA 3032 Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists, strengthening their ability to use mathematical and statistical approaches to understand biological systems.

Year 4: Students deepen their mathematical specialization through approved upper-level electives such as MAA 4226 Advanced Calculus I, MAP 4341 Partial Differential Equations I, MAD 4300 Graph Theory and Networks, MAP 4153 Vector Calculus, or MTG 4302 Topology. Students can also select MAT 4934 Honors in the Major, while completing FSU's remaining degree requirements and applying their interdisciplinary preparation toward further study or professional pathways.

Focus areas: Mathematical modeling, biological sciences, genetics, computational biology, bioinformatics, statistics, differential equations, programming, and interdisciplinary mathematical applications.

Learning outcomes: Apply mathematical and statistical methods to biological problems; develop computational and quantitative skills; integrate mathematics with biology, chemistry, and physics; and build preparation for medical school, computational biology, bioinformatics, or graduate study.

Professional alignment (accreditation): No specialized professional accreditation is stated by Florida State University for the Biomathematics major; the program is offered through the College of Arts and Sciences and does not require an additional minor.

Reputation (employability rankings): Florida State University's official Biomathematics information does not publish a program-specific QS, Guardian, or other employability ranking. The university instead identifies representative career pathways including mathematician, statistician, operations research analyst, systems analyst, and technical writer, with potential employers including engineering and financial firms, government agencies, research and development organizations, and educational institutions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Florida State University’s BA in Biomathematics combines quantitative mathematics with biological applications, giving students opportunities to apply mathematical modeling, data science, and computational methods to biological problems. The program is supported by interdisciplinary faculty working across the Department of Mathematics, Department of Biological Science, and Institute of Molecular Biophysics, while undergraduate students can also participate in research and present their work through FSU’s undergraduate research programs.

Students can develop practical, research-oriented skills through these opportunities:

Mathematical modeling: Biomathematics coursework allows students to emphasize biological modeling or data science, applying quantitative methods to biological questions.
Undergraduate research: FSU students can participate in faculty-led research, including projects involving mathematical models of biological systems. A current Biomathematics undergraduate, for example, presented research at FSU’s 2026 Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Research laboratories: The Department of Mathematics has faculty whose work connects mathematical modeling with experimental biological research. Professor Richard Bertram’s research includes neural models, pancreatic beta cells, biological networks, and disease-related systems, with computational work and software resources supporting these research areas.
Interdisciplinary facilities: The Institute of Molecular Biophysics provides an important interdisciplinary environment for biomathematics research. FSU faculty work across mathematics, molecular biophysics, neuroscience, biophysics, and bioengineering.
Computational research: Students are exposed to computational approaches used to investigate biological systems, including data science, network science, dynamical systems, differential-equation modeling, and computational analysis.
Research presentation: FSU’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement provides a platform for students to present research at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, giving Biomathematics students experience communicating scientific work.
Honors research: The Department of Mathematics offers Honors in the Major, which is designed to introduce students to independent and original research.
Faculty research opportunities: Undergraduate students have worked in mathematics research laboratories, including projects involving mathematical modeling of biological structures and processes. FSU's Hurdal Research Lab documents Biomathematics undergraduate honors projects involving cortical folding and biomedical imaging.
Career-linked research: Documented FSU Biomathematics research spans areas such as biology, medicine, neuroscience, microbiology, physiology, and bioengineering, helping students connect mathematical skills with real scientific applications.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Biomathematics combines mathematics with biological science and is designed to prepare students for employment involving biological applications, medical pathways, and graduate study in mathematical biology or related sciences. FSU specifically identifies areas such as mathematical biology, scientific analysis, pharmaceutical research, and computational biology as relevant directions for students with this interdisciplinary background.

Career roles: Mathematician, Statistician, Operations Research Analyst, Systems Analyst. FSU also identifies teachers, econometrists, and technical writers among representative job titles related to the major.

Career support: The FSU Career Center provides a dedicated Biomathematics Career Liaison who supports career exploration, internships, job searches, résumé development, and industry-specific guidance. Students can also use NoleNetwork for internships and employment opportunities and attend career, internship, and graduate-school fairs.
Employment opportunities: FSU identifies representative employers and settings for Biomathematics students including Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Health Diagnostic Laboratory, HCA Florida Capital Hospital, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Florida State University, pharmaceutical manufacturers, research and development firms, government agencies, and financial institutions.
Employment statistics: FSU's Career Center reports an average alumni salary of $88,738 across FSU alumni and that 75% of graduating seniors engage with Career Services. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to Biomathematics. FSU's Biomathematics program guide does not publish a program-specific salary figure.
Industry connections: The Career Center's Biomathematics resources identify employers across chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, research/development, financial services, government, engineering, and computer/software firms, giving students several industry contexts in which quantitative biological skills can be applied.
Research progression: FSU's Biomathematics pathway connects undergraduate study with research in biological modeling and data science. Recent FSU Biomathematics graduates have progressed into postdoctoral research, academic positions, pharmaceutical-related roles, and other quantitative careers.
Accreditation value: Florida State University is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, which reaffirmed FSU's accreditation in December 2024; the next reaffirmation is scheduled for 2034. This provides continuing institutional accreditation for FSU's bachelor's degrees.
Graduation outcomes: FSU maintains graduating-senior destination data by college and major through its Career Center. For Biomathematics specifically, the university's program guide identifies employment in biological applications, medical-school preparation, and graduate study as major post-graduation pathways.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can pursue FSU's M.S. in Biomathematics or Ph.D. in Biomathematics, both offered through the Department of Mathematics. The graduate program emphasizes biological modeling and data science, while doctoral students undertake research across biological topics and may interact with experimental laboratories; the BA can also support progression toward medical school or other graduate programs in the sciences.