The Dynamical Modeling track seeks to provide students a strong foundation in the use of mathematical and computational models for analyzing biological systems. The modeling approaches are based on a varied set of approaches, such as partial differential equations, stochastic equations, dynamical systems theory, stability theory and linear algebra, network theory, cellular automata, and numerical methods. Dynamical models are the heart of evolution that underpin all of biology and can be applied to disease spread, tumor growth and treatment, wound healing, cell migration, blood flow, ecology, climate change biology, population genetics, evolutionary theory, game theory, and scaling theory. Models are tailored based on the biological and physical details of the system and can often be simplified or used to build intuition based on the associated timescales and spatial dimensions—from cellular signaling and transcriptional regulation, to communication between organs via hormones, to consumer-resource interactions among species. The track will allow students to develop quantitative approaches to interpret complex biological systems and will be a gateway towards careers in biotechnology and academia.
Track Curriculum
Dynamical Modeling Track Requirements (effective 22 Winter): 5 upper division courses
| 3 Courses from C&S BIO M186 OR COM SCI M182; EC ENGR 102; EC ENGR 113; EE BIOL C119A; EE BIOL C119B; MATH 134 OR MATH 135; MATH 136; MATH 142; MATH 146; MATH 168; MATH 171
At most two courses may be from Mathematics 2 Courses from list of Life Science courses (see below) |
| Life Science Courses (select any two; courses can be from different areas) | |
| Biochemistry | CHEM 153A; CHEM 153B |
| Ecology | EE BIOL 100; EE BIOL 116; EE BIOL 120; EE BIOL 129; EE BIOL 161; EE BIOL C172; EE BIOL C174 |
| Epidemiology | EPIDEM 100; MIMG 101; MIMG 102; MIMG 168; MIMG C185A |
| Genetics & Molecular Biology | LIFESCI 107; MCD BIO 138; MCD BIO 140; MCD BIO 144; MCD BIO 165A OR 100 |
| Neurosystems | NEUROSC M101A OR PSYCH 115; NEUROSC M101B; NEUROSC 102; NEURO 205; NEURO 260; PHYSCI C144;PHYSICS C186; PSYCH 119M |
| Physiology | BIOENGR C102; BIOMATH 206; EE BIOL 170 OR PHYSCI 166; PHYSCI 149 |
Additional Prep for the Major:
The following courses do not have to be completed prior to admission into the major.
Dynamical Modeling Track: MATH 32A is a recommended pre-req depending on chosen track courses.
All Tracks: LIFESCI 23L and/or CHEM 14C/30A are recommended pre-reqs depending on chosen Life Science courses.
NOTE: Additional pre-reqs (beyond the required and recommended courses above) may be required for certain track courses. Students should check pre-reqs on the Schedule of Classes.
Track Course Planning
When planning track coursework, students must be mindful of pre-requisites. Some courses for the Dynamical Modeling track have additional pre-requisites that are not part of the CaSB major or pre-major curriculum. Additionally, students must be mindful of when classes are offered (i.e., which quarters).
The Track Course Planning document below is meant to help students plan out track coursework by providing course descriptions, requisite info, and tentative course offering info for each course option. This document was last updated October 2021. This document is provided as a tool, but requisites and course offerings can change. Planned course offerings, in particular, are tentative and subject to change by the departments offering each course. Students should check the Schedule of Classes or with respective departments for the most up-to-date course offerings. Students should also always check the Registrar’s Course Descriptions for the most up-to-date requisites.
It is recommended that students meet with their Departmental Counselor regularly to plan out major coursework.
All major courses must be taken for a letter grade, C or better.
^CaSB made a temporary exception allowing pre-major courses taken between Spring 2020 and Summer 2021 to be taken for a Pass grade. More details on this exception can be found here.
Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA in upper-division major coursework to graduate.
Students who receive a C- or below in a major course must either repeat the course or petition to have the lower grade count for the major. More information on petitioning can be found here.
Students are subject to any requirement changes in the major, including concentrations/tracks, until they are officially admitted to the major.
