The Quantitative Biology Institute provides unique opportunities for interdisciplinary graduate undergraduate education. Students with undergraduate degrees in physics, mathematics or engineering who want to pursue graduate studies in biology often lack the biological background to be considered for admission by ordinary Biology departments. Students with traditional Biology degrees who want to formally pursue more quantitative interests in mathematics, physics, computer science, or engineering face similar problems.

The Quantitative Biology Institute provides such students an academic program that allows them to develop the necessary interdisciplinary expertise. Students have the option of entering the Graduate programs of individual participating departments, or entering the Individual Interdisciplinary Program (IIP) at either the master's or doctoral level. Students admitted into the IIP are able to tailor their course of study to suit their individual interests.