The Department of Mathematics of the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb is preparing a new graduate study in biomedical mathematics, which is the first such study program in this part of Europe.
The study program is prepared through work on the BioMedMath project, funded by the European Union under the Operational Program Effective Human Resources, European Social Fund. Project manager Prof. Hrvoje Šikić points out that the basic idea of the need for such a study has been present for some ten years, but that the support of the ESF has given a great impetus to the realization of this project, which comes at the right time:
"The growing role of mathematics in biology and medicine is already noticeable to the general public, largely due to the realization of the famous Human Genome project. Recent developments related to this year’s pandemic and daily reporting on various predictions based on mathematical models highlight the need for collaboration between biologists, medical professionals, and mathematicians. Among other things, sophisticated mathematical methods are present today in genetics, bioinformatics, tumor growth modeling, brain research, cardiovascular system, organ growth processes, aging processes, evolutionary processes, ecology, to name a few. ”
The project leader also notes that the lecturers at the study will be experts in the field of mathematics, biology and medicine:
"Fortunately, we managed to gather an excellent group of associates from the Department of Biology and Mathematics, Faculty of Medicine and the Ruđer Bošković Institute, and we can offer a modern, globally competitive program, which is largely based on research that project associates regularly conduct in their scientific work. ”
Since this is the first such study program in Croatia and beyond, the project has established cooperation with an institution that has many years of experience in this field, the University of Oxford, one of the world's leading centers for biomedical mathematics.
The study of biomedical mathematics is a two-year international program that will be taught entirely in English and is primarily intended for students who have completed university undergraduate study of mathematics or equivalent study anywhere in the world, but with additional mathematics courses, students will be able to attend with completed various other related undergraduate studies. Work on the project ends at the end of this year, when the program goes into the accreditation process. Since the University of Zagreb already has significant experience with the influx of international students (student visas, organization of stay, accommodation, learning about the Croatian language and culture), it is expected that the study will start very soon after the international evaluation.