BS in Biomathematics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida State University

Program Overview

Florida State University’s BS in Biomathematics is an interdisciplinary major for students who enjoy mathematics and want to apply quantitative methods to biological problems, with preparation for computational biology, bioinformatics, medical school, or graduate study. Students combine advanced mathematics with biology, chemistry, physics, programming, statistics, genetics, and mathematical modeling to develop a quantitative foundation for biological applications.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their mathematical and biological foundation through MAC 2311 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I, BSC 2010 Biological Science I and Lab, and MAC 2312 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II. Programming is introduced through COP 3014 Programming I or ISC 3313 Introduction to Scientific Computing, giving students an early computational component alongside laboratory-based science.

Year 2: The curriculum advances into MAC 2313 Calculus with Analytic Geometry III, MAS 3105 Applied Linear Algebra, and MAP 2302 Ordinary Differential Equations, while students complete CHM 1045/1046 General Chemistry I and II with Labs. This stage strengthens mathematical methods and scientific knowledge needed for later biological modeling.

Year 3: Students begin connecting mathematics directly with biological systems through PCB 3063 General Genetics and MAP 4481 Math Modeling in Biology, supported by STA 3032 Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists. Students also take MAD 2104 Discrete Math I or MGF 3301 Introduction to Advanced Mathematics, plus PHY 2048C General Physics A with Lab, expanding their analytical and quantitative toolkit.

Year 4: The final year provides flexibility through upper-level mathematics electives such as MAP 4341 Partial Differential Equations I, MAA 4226 Advanced Calculus I, MAS 4106 Linear Algebra II, or MAD 4300 Graph Theory and Networks. Students complete additional major electives alongside FSU's upper-division writing, ethics, Scholarship in Practice, and other graduation requirements, allowing them to tailor the degree toward mathematical biology, computational work, or further graduate study.

Focus areas: Biological applications, mathematical modeling, computational biology, bioinformatics, data analysis, statistics, advanced mathematics, pre-medical preparation.

Learning outcomes: Mathematical modeling, quantitative biological analysis, programming, scientific computing, statistics, problem-solving, genetics, laboratory-based scientific knowledge, and preparation for computational biology or bioinformatics graduate study.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official FSU program information does not state a separate professional accreditation for the Biomathematics major. The degree is an interdisciplinary program within FSU’s Department of Mathematics and is designed for biological applications, medical-school preparation, and graduate study.

Reputation (employability rankings): FSU reports that it was ranked No. 1 among public schools in Florida for Best Schools for Internships in The Princeton Review’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings. FSU’s official rankings page also reports that the university is No. 11 among public universities in the United States according to Niche’s 2026 ranking. These are university-wide rankings rather than rankings specifically for Biomathematics.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Florida State University’s BS in Biomathematics combines mathematical modeling, statistics, computation, and biological science, giving students opportunities to apply quantitative methods to real biological problems. Students can strengthen these skills through research, laboratory-based biology courses, computational coursework, and access to FSU’s interdisciplinary research environment, including the Department of Mathematics and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Students can build practical experience through these program-specific opportunities:

Mathematical modeling: The curriculum includes MAP 2302 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling, giving students experience applying mathematical methods to problems beyond purely theoretical mathematics.
Computational methods: MAP 4401 Introduction to Numerical Analysis develops numerical and computational techniques that can support quantitative biological research.
Statistics and data analysis: Coursework in STA 3032 Introduction to Statistics and additional statistics options helps students develop quantitative skills applicable to biological datasets.
Biological laboratory experience: The biology component includes laboratory-based coursework, allowing students to develop practical skills in experimental biology alongside their mathematical training.
Undergraduate research: FSU provides opportunities for undergraduates to participate in faculty research, including research within the Department of Mathematics and biological sciences. Students can work with faculty on projects that connect mathematical and biological concepts.
Research institutes and interdisciplinary work: Students benefit from FSU’s broader research environment, including the Institute of Molecular Biophysics, which supports interdisciplinary research spanning biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computational approaches.
Advanced computational environment: Biomathematics students can develop quantitative and computational skills that can be applied to areas such as biological modeling, mathematical biology, statistics, and bioinformatics.
Academic and research resources: Students have access to FSU Libraries and its research resources for locating scientific literature, datasets, and other materials needed for coursework and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Florida State University’s BS in Biomathematics prepares students to apply mathematical and computational methods to biological and health-related problems, creating pathways into research, biotechnology, healthcare analytics, and quantitative science. The program can also provide a strong foundation for graduate study in mathematics, biology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, or related interdisciplinary fields.

Career roles: Biomathematician, Bioinformatics Analyst, Biostatistician, Quantitative Research Assistant.

Career services: FSU’s Career Center supports students with career advising, résumé and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, career fairs, employer connections, and internship/job resources.
Employment statistics: FSU publishes university-level career outcomes through its Career Center First Destination Survey. Program-specific employment and salary figures for Biomathematics are not stated in the official program information.
Salary information: A Biomathematics-specific salary figure is not stated by FSU. Salaries vary considerably according to the graduate’s occupation, industry, location, and level of further education.
University–industry connections: FSU’s Institute of Molecular Biophysics brings together researchers working across biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computational science, providing an interdisciplinary environment relevant to quantitative biological research.
Research opportunities: Students can gain research experience through FSU’s undergraduate research opportunities and work with faculty on projects that combine mathematical, computational, and biological approaches.
Accreditation value: Florida State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), providing continuing institutional recognition for FSU degrees.
Graduation outcomes: FSU’s official career-outcomes reporting tracks graduates’ employment, continuing education, and other post-graduation destinations; a Biomathematics-specific graduation-outcome percentage is not stated.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Biomathematics, students can continue into graduate-level study in areas such as mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, biology, or biomedical sciences. Students interested in research-intensive careers can also pursue doctoral study, while those targeting professional health careers can use the quantitative and biological foundation of the degree as preparation for further professional education.