Mathematical Biology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Mathematical Biology is an interdisciplinary field that integrates advanced mathematical modeling, computational techniques, and quantitative analysis to explore complex biological systems. This program equips students with the tools to address pressing questions in life sciences through rigorous mathematical frameworks, enabling deeper insights into biological processes at molecular, cellular, and ecological scales.
- Computational Mathematics: The development and application of algorithms and numerical methods to solve biological problems that are too complex for analytical solutions.
- Chaos and Nonlinear Systems: The study of dynamic behaviors in biological systems where small changes in initial conditions lead to vastly different outcomes, such as in population dynamics or neural activity.
- Perturbation Methods: Mathematical techniques used to approximate solutions to complex equations by analyzing small deviations from simpler, solvable models.
- Evolutionary Biology: The application of mathematical models to understand the mechanisms of natural selection, genetic drift, and the dynamics of species divergence over time.
- Molecular Biology: The use of mathematical approaches to analyze molecular interactions, gene regulation, and protein folding at the biochemical level.
- Genomics: The quantitative analysis of genetic data using statistical and computational tools to uncover patterns in DNA sequences, gene expression, and genome evolution.
- Structural Biology: The modeling of biomolecular structures using mathematical and computational methods to predict function and interaction at atomic resolution.
- Neurobiology: The application of mathematical models to understand neural circuits, signal transmission, and brain dynamics in both healthy and pathological states.
- Physiology and Metabolism: The use of systems-level modeling to simulate and analyze metabolic pathways, homeostatic regulation, and physiological responses in living organisms.
- Bioinformatics: The integration of mathematics, computer science, and biology to manage, analyze, and interpret large-scale biological datasets, especially in genomics and proteomics.
Mathematical Biology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Mathematical Biology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Mathematical Biology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Mathematicians and Data Scientists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 449,720 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Mathematicians 15-2021 | $121,680 | $63,430 - $187,660 | 2,220 | $58.50 |
| Data Scientists 15-2051 | $112,590 | $63,650 - $194,410 | 233,440 | $54.13 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1022 | $79,350 | $48,150 - $161,020 | 48,820 | N/A |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other 15-2099 | $71,490 | $40,330 - $154,140 | 4,660 | $34.37 |
Mathematical Biology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $70,950 in Delaware to $150,453 in California—a 112% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 449,720 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Mathematical Biology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 4 institutions offering Mathematical Biology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Mathematical Biology is found at University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (8 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (5 graduates), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (2 graduates), and University of Idaho (U of I) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 16 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Mathematical Biology programs
How much can I earn with a Mathematical Biology degree?
Salaries for Mathematical Biology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Mathematicians earn around $121,680. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $150,453 compared to $70,950 in Delaware. Approximately 449,720 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Mathematical Biology programs?
Currently 4 accredited institutions offer Mathematical Biology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (8 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (5 graduates), and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (2 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Mathematical Biology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Mathematicians, and Data Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 449,720 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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