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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: Lauren Childs, Stanca Ciupe, and Omar Saucedo

  • 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:
    • 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.
    • 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: Nicole Abaid, John Burns, Layne Watson. More information can be found here.

  • 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).