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The Faculty of Science (FOS) at Ryerson has come into its own.

This year, the foundational science disciplines of biology, chemistry, computer science, math and physics, previously housed in the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, now form the basis of the only new faculty to have launched in more than 40 years at Ryerson. The new Faculty of Science reflects the university’s robust and growing academic presence in the sciences. Two new undergraduate programs will launch in fall 2013: financial mathematics, and biomedical sciences.

The Bachelor of Science in financial math is aimed at students who like both business and math and aren’t able to combine both interests in a business degree. Anthony Bonato, Department of Mathematics chair, helped create the upcoming financial math program to meet that need and provide expertise on the subject.

“We found that there was a need for this program, both at the societal level and from the finance sector,” Bonato said. “Finance as a field is becoming increasingly analytic, using advanced mathematical tools and models not typically taught in a business degree. We have a strong research group in financial mathematics so an undergraduate degree was a natural offspring.”

Ryerson’s financial math program will be the only one in the GTA and will integrate a number of finance courses from the Ted Rogers School of Management. The university’s proximity to the financial district gives students access to industry partnerships.

Kim Gilbride, biology program director, helped develop the biomedical science program, which is an offshoot of the current Bachelor of Science in biology.

“The Bachelor of Science in biology is a diverse program that introduces students to all aspects of biology. Biomedical science is assigned to have a more cell and molecular focus and the program will delve deeper into the medical and clinical aspects of science,” Gilbride said.

Gilbride worked with faculty members and industry professionals to create a program that was competitive with biomedical science programs offered elsewhere and more visible to incoming students interested in a career in professional schools such as medicine, pharmacy, veterinary school, or in biomedical research. She says research was another factor in determining the program’s direction.

“We’ve had lots of new faculty come on board in recent years who have expertise in the biomedical sciences so teaching and research continues to grow in that field,” Gilbride said. “The program is meant to cultivate that relationship between students and faculty who might work well together in boosting research studies. “

FOS has more than 80 faculty members and approximately 1,650 undergraduate and 200 graduate students. Although the faculty is new, it has been providing leading-edge education for many years at its former home, the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science. FOS also has a long history of outstanding, nationally and internationally recognized research and hosts two Government of Canada Research Chairs: Michael Kolios in biomedical applications of ultrasound; and Gideon Wolfaardt in environment interfaces and biofilms.