Overview
UCLA Has a Unique Biomathematics Program that Combines Biology with Mathematics in a Supportive Research Environment
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public research university, with a focus on creating a research atmosphere of free thought and constant inquiry. Students work closely with faculty at a university with a large amount of research funding, and a library system whose collection is second only to the Library of Congress itself. Students at UCLA know that they are in an environment that foments original research by supporting students.
Biomathematics is a unique area of study, combining mathematics and biology. Mathematics is surprisingly essential for understanding many areas of biology, ranging from comparative genetics and population genetics to cellular neurobiology and protein folding. As biology continues to become more complex, especially in its quantitative research methods, the need for mathematically-guided research continues to increase. Biomathematics is on the cutting edge of modern scientific research, and UCLA has one of the few departments in this relatively new, rapidly evolving field.
The Department of Biomathematics at UCLA focuses on the theoretical research needed to push the boundaries of current biomedical research frontiers. The doctoral program reflects this by combining advanced training in a biomedical research specialty with mathematical and computing study. The master's program helps prepare researchers to provide methodological support to researchers in biology or medicine, or gives them a sufficient base in biomathematical training to serve as a stepping stone to the doctoral program.
UCLA's Biomathematics Department Offers a Master's Degree or Doctorate, and a Special Master's in Clinical Research
The Department of Biomathematics offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Biomathematics, as well as a special Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Clinical Research. Students are expected to have exceptional academic achievements in either biology or mathematics to enter the program.
The master's program is primarily to prepare students for the doctorate program in biomathematics, but can also be useful for researchers who desire supplemental biomathematical training for biomedical research.
The doctoral program aims to train fully independent researchers who can create original research and work proficiently in either applied mathematics or their chosen biomedical specialties in which they gain competence during the doctorate program. Substantial training in applied mathematics, statistics, and computing is offered to all students, as well as copious hands-on research experience.
UCLA Offers Fellowships, Assistantships, Grants, Awards, and Work Study to Assist Graduate Students in Affording Tuition
Graduate students at UCLA have a wide variety of supporting funds of which they may avail themselves. Graduate students may receive grants, fellowships, traineeships, teaching assistantships, and graduate student researcher appointments, assigned on the basis of merit and research specialties. Need-based financial aid is also assigned through the financial aid office. The two types of financial support are not mutually exclusive, and students meeting the requirements for both departmental awards and need-based financial support may receive both.
Competitive merit-based awards in the form of fellowships and grants provide stipends in various amounts, and often include tuition. In addition to departmental awards, various national, international, and private foundations offer their own fellowship awards on a competitive basis. These awards are open to all graduate students.
Assistantships are also available for teachers and researchers. Both offer valuable experience in addition to the financial remuneration. Teaching assistantships provide experience in teaching undergraduates under faculty supervision, while researcher assistantships provide experience working on scientific research projects under faculty supervision.
Need-based financial aid is available in the form of loans or federal work-study grants, which allow graduate students to complete part-time paid internships, community service, research projects, and other useful programs related to their degree.
UCLA Students Enjoy Diversity, Cultural Opportunities, Natural Beauty, and Nightlife in America's Second Largest City
UCLA is located in the heart of Los Angeles, the second largest city in America. There are over 16 million people in Los Angeles County, creating a wide ethnic diversity that stretches from Chinatown five miles east of downtown and Koreatown two miles west, to the Mexican-American presence throughout the region. Los Angeles offers not only cultural diversity, but culinary diversity as well, with restaurants including Mexican, Indonesian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and many more.
One of the main attractions in California is the weather. Many students enjoy going to Venice Beach, or the beach in Santa Monica, to walk, jog, or roller-blade along the coast, or simply to enjoy the sun. California is also the movie-making capital of the world. Students often see blockbuster movies being filmed near campus, while on campus the graduate student association shows free movies for students twice a week.
Los Angeles also boasts a number of cultural attractions, including famous museums such as the Getty and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Other more famous cultural attractions include Disneyland in nearby Orange County, Universal Studios, and Six Flags Magic Mountain north of the San Fernando Valley in Valencia. In addition, Los Angeles has nightlife in abundance, with hundreds of bars and dance clubs for the night owl.
