1. Undergraduate Mathematical Biology Krešimir Josić University of Houston

2. Mathematics is biology’s new microscope – only better…* *Joel E. Cohen, PLoS Biol Lee, et al. Data is being generated at an increasing rate The algorithms to analyze this data are also improving – does this mean that science is at an end? No! – creative and theoretically sound approaches will be even more important to our understanding of biological systems

3. OK - let’s educate the next generation of scientists! Goal: Introduce current theoretical and computational tools, and provide opportunities to do research Reality: Traditional departmental structure; lack of faculty to teach interdisciplinary courses Student recruitment is an issue (“Will I be able to go to med school?”) Not all students can do research, and there is no time/funding for everybody

4. Work with what you have (What I’ve learned from Math-Bio degree at UH) Traditional courses can be redesigned to incorporate new technology Matlab Leave room for electives (Organic Chemistry) Do introduce new undergraduate courses (Biostatistics & Math Biology)

5. Undergraduate research in lab for some, class projects for everyone! People will judge you by the quality of: Your presentations Your writing Your work In that order! We assume we need to teach them math and science. Others will take care of the rest.

6. Make a research project part of your course My initial mistakes Too unstructured and too few deadlines Insufficient guidance on project topics Insufficient feedback on the writing Insufficient attention to the presentation Ask your students to do some independent research write a report, and give a presentation

7. Too unstructured and too few deadlines Insufficient guidance on project topics Insufficient feedback on the writing Give them several deadlines and lots of feedback September 17 - Topic Proposal October 6 - One page synopsis October 27 - First draft November 17 - Second draft

8. Final paper

9. Be prepared for pushback and plagiarism … … but it’s worth it – offer the best students a place in your lab. They may continue as your grad students.