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: 229.0
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 48.0 graduate quarter credits to meet the requirements of the master's program.

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

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

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.

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

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Up to three mathematics-related courses from other departments may be substituted for Mathematics Electives with departmental permission. 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

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Any ARTH, ENGL, COM, HUM, MUSC, PHIL, and WRIT courses at the 100-499 level.

††

Any ANTH, ECON, HIST, INTR, PSCI, PSY, and SOC courses at the 100-499 level.

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.

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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.

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.

Sample Plan of Study