Biophysics (BS)
The Biophysics major is an interdisciplinary program on the cutting edge of new developments in the biosciences. Offered by the Departments of Physics and Biology, the biophysics major provides rigorous training in biosciences, mathematics, and lab skills. The degree prepares students for research careers in biophysics, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and physics. Biophysics is an ideal major for students considering careers in medicine, optometry, dentistry, and other applied health sciences.
Curriculum
This course of study prepares one for careers in medicine, medical research, nano-sciences, biophysics, medical physics, biomedical engineering, and biotechnology. A strong physics and mathematics background is fortified with biology and chemistry classes. A minimum grade of C- must be earned to satisfy a course requirement and a 2.0 minimum overall GPA is required for each
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Physics | ||
| PHYS 121 | College Physics I Lec/Dis | 3 |
| PHYS 111L | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHYS 122 | College Physics II Lec/Dis | 3 |
| PHYS 126F | Freshman Projects | 1 |
| PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
| PHYS 235 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 235L | Modern Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 301 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 314 | Theoretical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 351 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| Physics Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Optics | ||
| Thermal Physical & Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Biology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1-3 | |
| General Biology I | ||
| General Biology I Lab | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Biophysics Elective Options | ||
| Students must complete 10 credit hours to fulfill this requirement from the following: | 10 | |
| General Biology II 1 | ||
or COMP 180 | Computing and Data Analysis for the Sciences | |
| General Biology II Lab | ||
| Cell Biology Laboratory | ||
| Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Models of Human Disease | ||
| Intro to Biostatistics | ||
| Cell Physiology & Biochemistry | ||
| Cell Physiology & Biochemistry Lab | ||
| Genomics | ||
| Bioinformatics | ||
| Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Computing and Data Analysis for the Sciences 1 | ||
| Introduction to Computational Physics 1 | ||
| Optics Lab | ||
| Advanced Physics Laboratory | ||
| Biophysics | ||
| Research 2 | ||
| General Chemistry A: Lecture, Discussion & Lab | ||
| CHEM 101 & CHEM 111 | General Chemistry A Lecture/Discussion and General Chemistry Lab A | 4 |
| General Chemistry B: Lecture, Discussion & Lab | ||
| CHEM 102 & CHEM 112 | General Chemistry B Lecture/Discussion and General Chemistry Lab B 3 | 4 |
| Organic Chemistry A: Lecture, Discussion & Lab | ||
| CHEM 223 & CHEM 225 | Organic Chemistry A Lec/Disc and Organic Chemistry Lab A 4 | 4 |
| Organic Chemistry B: Lecture, Discussion & Lab | ||
| CHEM 224 & CHEM 226 | Organic Chemistry B Lec/Disc and Organic Chemistry Lab B 5 | 4 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 263 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 264 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Total Hours | 67-69 | |
- 1
Students may receive degree credit for only one of the following: BIOL 102, COMP 180, or PHYS 130.
- 2
Students may only count 1 credit hour of PHYS 391 Research toward the degree.
- 3
CHEM 106 Basic Inorganic Chemistry may be substituted
- 4
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I Lec/Disc may be substituted
- 5
CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II Lec/Disc may be substituted
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| PHYS 121 | College Physics I Lec/Dis | 3 |
| PHYS 111L | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| MATH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| UCWR 110 | Writing Responsibly | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 122 | College Physics II Lec/Dis | 3 |
| PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
| PHYS 126F | Freshman Projects | 1 |
| MATH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| Core | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 235 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 235L | Modern Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 263 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 264 | Ordinary Differential Equations 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 240 | Chemical Reactivity II | 3 |
| CHEM 241 | Chemical Reactivity II Laboratory | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 301 | Mathematical Methods in Physics | 3 |
| CHEM 260 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 261 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| Core | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 351 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| BIOL 251 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 282 | Genetics | 3 |
| Core | 3 | |
| Core | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 314 | Theoretical Mechanics I | 3 |
| BPHY 300-Level Elective | 3 | |
| PHYS 310 | Optics 2 | 3 |
| PHYS 310L | Optics Lab 2 | 1 |
| Core | 3 | |
| Core | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BPHY 300-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Core | 3 | |
| Core | 3 | |
| Core | 3 | |
| Core | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BPHY 300-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Core | 3 | |
| Core | 3 | |
| Core | 3 | |
| General Elective | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
- 1
Students can take MATH 264 in the spring semester of their second year, but it would be best taken before PHYS 301.
- 2
PHYS 310 Optics/PHYS 310L Optics Lab can be taken in the spring of the fourth year
College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to take two Writing Intensive courses (6 credit hours) as well as complete a foreign language requirement at 102-level or higher (3 credit hours) or a language competency test. More information can be found here.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge in physics and biology, and the acquisition of new knowledge via the scientific method.
- Develop a deeper understanding of the connection between the biological and the physical sciences.
- Understand and be able to employ laboratory techniques and computer skills used in biological and physical science labs.
- Possess an understanding of the intermediate level mathematics needed to model and solve problems based in the physical and biological sciences.
- Collect and analyze data to develop, refine, or falsify scientific theories.
- Learn effective and ethical methods for collaborating with others on scientific and technical projects.