Interdisciplinary Courses and Initiatives
In an effort to forge new and stronger links between Biology and other disciplines our 1998 and 2002 grants focused on developing a vibrant program in Biological Mathematics and strengthening our interdisciplinary Neuroscience major. These initiatives included new faculty positions in Biological Mathematics and substantial curricular changes associated with Biological Mathematics and Neuroscience. In addition, a new undergraduate Applied Science minor has been established. These programs have been remarkably successful and popular with students.
The 2006 HHMI grant to W&M continues the emphasis on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to science education and research. For additional detail on interdisciplinary offerings and initiatives, follow the links provided below.
For examples of ongoing undergraduate research opportunities that bridge biology and mathematics or biology and physics, please feel free to contact:
- Dr. Eric Bradley (Applied Science, Biology): In vivo gene imaging
- Dr. Nikos Chrisochoides (Computer Science): Algorithm development for medical imaging
- Dr. Bill Cooke (Physics): Application of lasers to enhancing mass spec.
- Dr. Christopher Del Negro (Applied Science): Neural modeling; rhythm-generation in the mammalian brain
- Dr. Jun-Ping Shi (Mathematics): Mathematical biology and modeling
- Dr. Greg Smith (Applied Science): Cellular Biophysics; Computational Biology
- Dr. Gene Tracy (Physics):
- Dr. Bob Welsh (Physics): Construction of detectors algorithms for SPECT in vivo gene imaging
In addition, opportunities are available for students to work on innovative projects in the field of bioinformatics with Incogen, a Williamsburg-based bioinformatics company involved in developing software for a variety of applications including mass spectrometry.