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Interdisciplinary Training in Mathematical Biology through Team-based Undergraduate Research and Courses

Jason E. Miller
Timothy Walston

Jason E. Miller

Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501

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Timothy Walston

Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501

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John Jungck, Monitoring Editor

Published Online:13 Oct 2017https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.10-03-0046

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Abstract

Inspired by BIO2010 and leveraging institutional and external funding, Truman State University built an undergraduate program in mathematical biology with high-quality, faculty-mentored interdisciplinary research experiences at its core. These experiences taught faculty and students to bridge the epistemological gap between the mathematical and life sciences. Together they created the infrastructure that currently supports several interdisciplinary courses, an innovative minor degree, and long-term interdepartmental research collaborations. This article describes how the program was built with support from the National Science Foundation's Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biology and Mathematics program, and it shares lessons learned that will help other undergraduate institutions build their own program.

Vol. 9, No. 3

September 01, 2010

141-377

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Downloads: 176

Citations: 13

History

Submitted: 23 March 2010

Revised: 12 June 2010

Accepted: 20 June 2010

Information

© 2010 J. E. Miller and T. Walston CBE-Life Sciences Education © 2010 The American Society for Cell Biology. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The following colleagues deserve credit for the development of Truman's undergraduate interdisciplinary Mathematical Biology Program: Jon Beck (Computer Science), Brent Buckner (Biology), Scott Ellis (Dean of Science, retired), Jon Gering (Biology and Dean of Science and Mathematics), Pam Ryan (Mathematics), Michael Kelrick (Biology), Lanny Morely (Dean of Mathematics and Computer Science, retired), Jeffrey Osborn (Biology, now Dean of Science at the College of New Jersey), Laura Fielden (Biology). Very little of this would be possible without support from the NSF UBM program (NSF DUE 0436348, NSF DBI 0926737). Also mentioned was our PRISM award, Scientists Prepared, Enriched, and Challenged Through Research-Based Activities (NSF MPS 0928013). The Program Officers supporting the UBM program should be celebrated for their passion and support for those of us who were walking into the unknown, and the other UBM PIs deserve recognition for their enthusiasm for the program, their willingness to share, and the work they have done to create a community of PIs and their colleagues. Finally, folks at the BioQuest Consortium (http://bioquest.org) and at the HHMI kept us going by giving us an external perspective on what we were building.

More information about Truman State University's Mathematical Biology Program can be found at http://mathbio.truman.edu. Information about the portfolio-based minor can be found at http://mathbio.truman.edu/minor.

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