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Math Biology at VT

FAQ on Studying Math Biology


in the

Department of Mathematics at Virginia Tech

  • Where can I find out more about Math Biology at Virginia Tech?
    The flyer contains information about studying Math Biology in the Department of Mathematics at Virginia Tech. You can also reach out to any of the Math Biology Faculty:
  • Where can I find out more about graduate school in Mathematics at Virginia Tech?
    The brochure contains a lot of information on graduate school in Mathematics at Virginia Tech.

  • What research in Math Biology is currently on-going in the Department of Mathematics at Virginia Tech?
    We have several faculty primarily working in the area of Mathematical Biology:
    • Nicole Abaid is interested in dynamical systems and control theory, with a focus on biologically inspired problems and multi-agent systems and their collective behavior.
    • Lauren Childs develops and analyzes mathematical and computational models to examine biologically-motivated questions, with particular interest in bridging immunology with ecology and epidemiology.
    • Stanca Ciupe studies systems of delay differential equations and their application to biology and medicine, with applications to characterization of immune system onset and reaction against viral diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, HIV, Hepatitis B and Dengue.
    • Michael Robert investigates ecological, evolutionary, and anthropological drivers of emergence, spread, and control of infectious diseases through the development and analysis of mathematical models.
    • Omar Saucedo focuses on modeling infectious diseases, with an emphasis on using deterministic dynamical systems to address various epidemiological questions.
    Beyond our primary faculty, the math department has other affiliated MathBio faculty.

  • I want to be admitted into a Ph.D program. Virginia Tech asks me to obtain an M.S. degree first. Will I have to restart the application process upon obtaining the M.S. degree?
    Students in their second year of the M.S. program may apply for admission to the Ph.D. program. The criteria for admission are performance in the M.S. program and either a faculty's recommendations on the student’s preparedness for doctoral studies or a faculty's willingness to chair the student’s dissertation. No additional application materials are needed.

  • Will I be supported financially while on the M.S. program?
    Most graduate students in both the M.S. and Ph.D program in the Mathematics Department are supported by Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs). Some are supported on faculty's grants as Graduate Research Assistanships (GRA).

  • What courses in MathBio are offered by the Math Department?
    • MATH 5515 - Mathematical Methods for Modeling and Simulation of Biological Systems I
      Introduction to mathematical techniques for modeling and simulation, parameter identification and analysis of biological systems from a continuous perspective. Emphasis on both theoretical and practical issues and methods of computation, with concrete applications.
      Offered: Most Fall semesters
      Pre-requisites: Basic multivariate calculus and ordinary differential equations.
    • MATH 5516 - Mathematical Methods for Modeling and Simulation of Biological Systems II Introduction to mathematical techniques for modeling and simulation, parameter identification and analysis of biological systems from a discrete perspective. Emphasis on both theoretical and practical issues and methods of computation, with concrete applications.
      Offered: Most Spring semesters
      Pre-requisites: Basic multivariate calculus and ordinary differential equations.
    • MATH 5514 - Topics in Mathematical Biology
      Various graduate level topics in mathematics as they apply to biological problems. Representation of biological phenomena as mathematical models, and derivation of model features with analytical techniques and numerical simulation. Example topics include network systems (Fall 2022) and dynamics of infectious disease (Spring 2023).
      Offered: Most semesters
      Pre-requisites: Graduate standing.