Extremely limited or even no math requirements may be a more common feature of biology programs than you realize. For example, up until recently, my program required only a stats course. It is my understanding that this is an increasingly common approach for biology programs.
Partially as a result of my efforts, all our biology students now require a math course, but it is not necessarily a calculus course (linear algebra is an option, and non-calculus physics for some reason). Don't get me wrong, I think linear algebra is equally necessary, but many of our ecology students opt for the easier algebra course. Students from another environmental campus program on campus require no math course at all. Therefore, when I explain concepts as basic as exponential growth in a 4th year ecology course, I also have to explain the meaning of a derivative. Needless to say, I find the situation ludicrous. Educated students in ANY science need to know what a derivative is, and educated citizens, regardless of what their university major, REALLY need to understand exponential population growth. Math is not an optional part of any education, let alone a science education, but I've seen it being treated that way at at several institutions. Kim Cuddington University of Waterloo (BTW this is a notoriously "mathy" school)
