Quantitative analysis is becoming an increasingly important component of biological research as a result of technological developments, which generate unprecedented amounts of biological data. Recent trends in the way biological research is done have generated rapid growth in the fields of bioinformatics, biostatistics and mathematical modelling of biological systems. This major is designed for students who wish to continue to postgraduate research in one of these areas.
This major will equip students with appropriate skills in mathematics to complement a solid foundation in biology. It is intended to be accompanied by further studies in mathematics, biology, statistics, or computer science.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successfulcompletion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Master the ideas and concepts of Calculus, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations and develop the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to analyse a specific problem and identify the mathematics that is required to find its solution.
- Gain a basic understanding of the ideas and concepts of Probability and Statistics.
- Apply conceptual knowledge of biological principles and processes including evolution and diversity of organisms, inheritance, storage and utilisation of information and the structure and function of molecules, cells and biological systems, to a range of disciplinary and inter-disciplinary contexts.
- Design biological experiments, and analyse and interpret experimental results using appropriate quantitative methods.
- Demonstrate capacity for mathematical reasoning through analysing, proving and explaining concepts from bioinformatics and biological modelling.
- Describe and apply a variety of methods in bioinformatics and functional genomics, including scientific programming, interpret current literature in areas of bioinformatic practice and evaluate research methodology in the context of bioinformatic analysis of DNA sequence data.
Other Information
Advice to StudentsYou need to enrol in MATH1013 (or MATH1115) and MATH1014 (or MATH1116).
If you think you may want to do honours in Mathematics you are advised to take MATH1115 and MATH1116.
You also need to enrol in STAT1003 (or STAT1008) and BIOL1003.
The courses BIOL1004 and COMP1040 (or COMP1730) are recommended and the course MATH2305 is also a requisite for this Major.
This Major can easily be taken in conjunction with either the Advanced Quantitative Biology Specialisation or with a Minor in Mathematics (only two additional MATH coded course needed after completing all the requirements of this Major). Other suggested Minors are in Biology, Applied Statistics, Computer Science or Chemistry.
Students interested in doing a Major in Quantitative Biology but who do not have an appropriate Mathematics background to enrol in MATH1013 may do MATH1003 before beginning MATH1013.
Students who need further information should contact the academic convener of the Quantitative Biology Major.
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Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must consist of:
42 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL1003 | Biology 1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics | 6 |
| BIOL2151 | Genetics | 6 |
| BIOL3157 | Bioinformatics and its Applications | 6 |
| MATH2307 | Bioinformatics and Biological Modelling | 6 |
| MATH3353 | Advanced Mathematical Bioinformatics | 6 |
| MATH3511 | Scientific Computing | 6 |
| STAT2001 | Introductory Mathematical Statistics | 6 |
6 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH1013 | Mathematics and Applications 1 | 6 |
| MATH1115 | Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1 | 6 |
