Biophysics Major

Learning Outcomes

Students who have completed a major in Biophysics, when confronted with a natural phenomenon, should be able to examine, model and analyze the system and effectively communicate the findings.

Specifically, students should be able to:

1. Develop a conceptual framework for understanding the system by identifying the key physical principles, relationships, and constraints underlying the system.
2. If required, develop a physical experiment to analyze the system within the framework. This includes:
   • Designing the experiment;
   • Making basic order-of-magnitude estimates;
   • Working with standard data-measuring devices such as oscilloscopes, digital multi-meters, signal generators, etc.;
   • Identifying and appropriately addressing the sources of systematic error and statistical error in their experiment.
3. Translate that conceptual framework into an appropriate mathematical format/model.
   • If the mathematical model/equations are analytically tractable, carry out the analysis of the problem to completion (by demonstrating knowledge of and proficiency with the standard mathematical tools of physics and engineering).
   • If the model/equations are not tractable, develop a computer code and/or use software/programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, Maple, Python) to numerically simulate the model system.
4. Use with proficiency standard methods of data analysis (e.g., graphing, curve-fitting, statistical analysis, Fourier analysis, etc.).
5. Intelligently analyze, interpret, and assess the reasonableness of the answers obtained and/or the model’s predictions.
6. Effectively communicate their findings (either verbally and/or via written expression) to diverse audiences.

Requirements for the Major

1. Foundation Courses:

• Introductory Biology (two semesters: BIOL 043L KS Introductory Biology  - BIOL 044L KS Introductory Biology , or BIOL 042L KS -Integrated Biology & Chemistry  and BIOL 044L KS -Introductory Biology , or equivalent);
• Basic Principles of Chemistry (two semesters: CHEM 014L KS  -CHEM 015L KS -Basic Principles of Chemistry , or Accelerated General Chemistry with Lab CHEM 029L KS , or CHEM 042L KS -Integrated Biology & Chemistry , or equivalent);
• General Physics for the Life Sciences (two semesters: PHYS 030L KS  -PHYS 031L KS , or Principles of Physics (two semesters: PHYS 033L KS  -PHYS 034L KS ), or equivalent);
• PHYS 035 KS  - Modern Physics with Computational Applications;
• PHYS 178 KS   - Biophysics
• MATH 032 PZ  - Calculus III; MATH 111 CM  or equivalent;
• MATH 032 PZ -Calculus III ; MATH 111 CM  or equivalent);
• One computer programming course (CSCI 005 HM , CSCI 051 CM , or PHYS 108 KS );

2. Five Additional Advanced Courses:

• Three (3) upper-division courses from Biology, at least one of which must include a laboratory component. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 116L KS ) may be substituted for one of the three upper-division Biology courses, but one of the remaining two upper-division Biology courses must still include a laboratory component.

• At least two of the following four courses: PHYS 101 KS , PHYS 102 KS , PHYS 114 KS , PHYS 115 KS .

3. Senior thesis (one- or two-semester).

• A study-abroad experience is strongly recommended but not required.

NOTE: For Biophysics majors, PHYS 030L KS -PHYS 031L KS  may substitute as a prerequisite for PHYS 033L KS -PHYS 034L KS .