Mathematics BS / Biostatistics MS

Major: Mathematics (BS) / Biostatistics (MS)
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 227.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Five years); No Co-op (Five years);
BS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code:
 27.0101
BS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 15-2021
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code:
 26.1101
MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9121

About the Program

The College of Arts and Sciences and the Dornsife School of Public Health offer an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Master of Science in Biostatistics. Participants can earn both a BS degree in Mathematics and a MS degree in Biostatistics in five years.

In this accelerated degree program, students participate in the undergraduate program for four full years (with or without one co-operative experience). After two years of undergraduate study, students begin their graduate studies in the Master of Science in Biostatistics program. The third and fourth year are a mix of undergraduate and graduate courses. After the successful completion of their fourth year, students receive their BS. When students successfully complete the remainder of their graduate studies (typically two graduate quarters), they will receive the MS degree.

Students in the Master of Science in Biostatistics program complete 47.0 graduate quarter credits to meet the requirements of the master's program.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please visit the Mathematics web page.

Admission Requirements 

Application to the BSMS program begins after a student has completed at least 90 credits and no more than 120 credits. A freshman student can be designated as a BSMS Provisional Admit but is not officially accepted into the BSMS program until the student completes at least 90 credits and meets the admissions criteria.

Acceptance to the Drexel MS in Biostatistics is conditional upon a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA, a 3.5 GPA in math, and a minimum grade of B in Linear Algebra and Calculus courses. Applicants who meet the GPA and grade criteria will be evaluated by the MS in Biostatistics admissions committee in order to be considered for admission.

Students must verify their intent to continue or enroll in the accelerated program with their advisor by the end of the spring term of year one. Students must submit a SOPHAS Express application to the graduate Master of Science in Biostatistics program during their third year.

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
UNIV S101The Drexel Experience1.0
UNIV S201Looking Forward: Academics and Careers1.0
College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum
Engaging the Natural World **6.0-8.0
Analyzing Cultures & Histories **6.0-8.0
Understanding Society & Human Behavior **6.0-8.0
Cultivating Global Competence **6.0-8.0
Perspectives in Diversity **3.0-4.0
Any BIO, CHEM, PHYS, or PHEV course3.0-4.0
Undergraduate Free electives45.0
Computer Science Sequence
CS 150Computer Science Principles3.0
or CS 164 Introduction to Computer Science
CS 171Computer Programming I3.0
CS 172Computer Programming II3.0
Mathematics Requirements
MATH 121Calculus I ***4.0
MATH 122Calculus II4.0
MATH 123Calculus III4.0
MATH 200Multivariate Calculus4.0
MATH 201Linear Algebra4.0
MATH 210Differential Equations4.0
MATH 220 [WI] Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning3.0
MATH 331Abstract Algebra I4.0
MATH 332Abstract Algebra II3.0
MATH 401Elements of Modern Analysis I3.0
MATH 402Elements of Modern Analysis II3.0
Math Major Electives 40.0
Select a minimum of 40.0 credits from the following:
Combinatorics
Math Competition Problem Solving Seminar
Mathematics of Investment and Credit
Differential Equations II
Numerical Analysis I
Numerical Analysis II
Introduction to Optimization Theory
Probability and Statistics I
Probability and Statistics II
Probability and Statistics III
Mathematical Applications of Symbolic Software
Mathematical Applications of Statistical Software
Techniques of Data Analysis
Actuarial Mathematics
Vector Calculus
Complex Variables
Partial Differential Equations
Linear Algebra II
Introduction to Topology
Mathematical Finance
Introduction to Graph Theory
Cryptography
Introduction to Monte Carlo Methods
Tensor Calculus
Required MS Biostatistics Courses
BST 551Statistical Inference I3.0
BST 553Longitudinal Data Analysis3.0
BST 555Introduction to Statistical Computing3.0
BST 557Survival Data Analysis3.0
BST 567Statistical Collaboration3.0
BST 569Linear Statistical Models4.0
BST 570Generalized Linear Models4.0
BST 675Statistical Collaboration Lab3.0
BST 701Advanced Statistical Computing3.0
EPI 570Introduction to Epidemiology3.0
MATH 510Applied Probability and Statistics I3.0
PBHL 501Introduction to Public Health0.0
Master's Project
BST 698Statistical Collaboration in Practice3.0
or BST 699 Data Analysis Project
Graduate Electives9.0
Any BST and EPI course at the 500-999 level
Total Credits227.0-237.0
*

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of Free Elective instead of COOP 101.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

***

Math majors must pass MATH 121 with a grade of B or higher.

MATH special topics courses may be substituted for Mathematics Electives with departmental permission.

MATH 100, MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 110, MATH 119, MATH 180, MATH 171, MATH 172, MATH 173, and MATH 239 do not count towards the degree unless approved by the department.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

4+1, 1 co-op (Accelerated program completed in 5 years)

Students complete undergraduate requirements in four years, then convert to graduate status in the fifth and final year.

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CS 150 or 1643.0CIVC 1011.0CS 1723.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0COOP 101*1.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
MATH 1214.0CS 1713.0MATH 1234.0 
UNIV S1011.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0MATH 2004.0 
(UG) Engaging the Natural World**3.0-4.0MATH 1224.0(UG) Any BIO, CHEM, PHYS, or PHEV course3.0-4.0 
 (UG) Engaging the Natural World**3.0-4.0  
 14-15 15-16 17-18 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COM 2303.0MATH 2104.0(UG) Analyzing Cultures & Histories**3.0-4.0(UG) Analyzing Cultures & Histories**3.0-4.0
MATH 2014.0(UG) Cultivating Global Competence**3.0-4.0(UG) MATH Electives6.0(UG) Cultivating Global Competence**3.0-4.0
MATH 2203.0(UG) MATH Electives6.0(UG) Understanding Society & Human Behavior**3.0-4.0(UG) MATH Electives3.0
(UG) Understanding Society & Human Behavior**3.0-4.0(UG) Perspectives in Diversity**3.0-4.0(UG) Free Electives4.0(UG) Free Electives9.0
(UG) Free Electives6.0   
 19-20 16-18 16-18 18-20
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 4013.0MATH 4023.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
(UG) Free Electives9.0UNIV S2011.0  
BST 5553.0(UG) Free Electives9.0  
BST 5694.0BST 5513.0  
 BST 5704.0  
 19 20 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 3314.0MATH 3323.0(UG) Free Electives8.0BS Degree Awarded
(UG) Math Electives9.0(UG) MATH Electives12.0(UG) MATH Electives4.0Student converts to Graduate status
BST 5573.0BST 5533.0BST 7013.0 
MATH 5103.0 EPI 5703.0 
 19 18 18 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCredits  
BST 5673.0BST 698 or 6993.0  
BST 6753.0(GR) Graduate Electives6.0  
PBHL 5010.0   
(GR) Graduate Electives3.0   
 9 9  
Total Credits 227-237
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

4+1, no co-op (Accelerated program completed in 5 years)

Students complete undergraduate requirements in four years, then convert to graduate status in the fifth and final year.

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CS 150 or 1643.0CIVC 1011.0CS 1723.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CS 1713.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
MATH 1214.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0MATH 1234.0 
UNIV S1011.0MATH 1224.0MATH 2004.0 
(UG) Engaging the Natural World*3.0-4.0(UG) Engaging the Natural World*3.0-4.0(UG) Any BIO, CHEM, PHYS, or PHEV3.0-4.0 
 14-15 14-15 17-18 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COM 2303.0MATH 2104.0(UG) Cultivating Global Competence*3.0-4.0VACATION
MATH 2014.0(UG) Cultivating Global Competence*3.0-4.0(UG) MATH Electives3.0 
MATH 2203.0(UG) MATH Electives7.0(UG) Understanding Society & Human Behavior*3.0-4.0 
(UG) Analyzing Cultures & Histories*3.0-4.0(UG) Perspectives in Diversity*3.0-4.0(UG) Free Electives8.0 
(UG) Understanding Society & Human Behavior*3.0-4.0   
 16-18 17-19 17-19 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 3314.0MATH 3323.0(UG) Analyzing Cultures & Histories*3.0-4.0VACATION
(UG) Free Electives9.0UNIV S2011.0(UG) MATH Electives6.0 
BST 5553.0(UG) Free Electives9.0(UG) Free Electives10.0 
BST 5694.0BST 5513.0  
 BST 5704.0  
 20 20 19-20 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 4013.0MATH 4023.0(UG) MATH Electives3.0BS Degree Awarded
(UG) Math Electives9.0(UG) MATH Electives12.0(UG) Free Electives10.0Student converts to Graduate status
BST 5573.0BST 5533.0BST 7013.0 
MATH 5103.0 EPI 5703.0 
 18 18 19 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCredits  
BST 5673.0BST 698 or 6993.0  
BST 6753.0(GR) Graduate Electives6.0  
PBHL 5010.0   
(GR) Graduate Electives3.0   
 9 9  
Total Credits 227-237
*

See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

Sample Plan of Study  

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