Biophysics Major

Biophysics

The biophysics major integrates the physical principles that are part of the core material found in a traditional physics major with areas of interest in the life sciences. Offering many possible avenues via molecular/cellular, biomechanical, organismal and/or physiological sequences, the major is appropriate for students interested in attending graduate school in physics or biophysics and provides a solid background for students planning a career in the health fields.

Learning Outcomes

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

Specifically, students should be able to: 

1. Deveopl a conceptual framework for understanding the system by identifying the key phsyical principles, relationships, and constraints underyling the system. 
2. If required, develop a physical experiment to analyze the system within the framework. This includesl 
   • 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 answer obtained and/or the model’s predictions.
6. Effectively communicate their findings (either verbally and/or via written expression) to diverse audiences. 

Advisors: S. Marzen and J. Sheung

Major Requirements

The major in Biophysics requires the completion of outlined coursework below and a senior thesis. 

Required Courses

Foundation Courses (11-13)

• 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 -Basic Principles of Chemistry  -CHEM 015L KS -Basic Principles of Chemistry , or Accelerated General Chemistry with Lab CHEM 029L KS -Accelerated General Chemistry  , or CHEM 042L KS -Integrated Biology & Chemistry , or equivalent);
• General Physics for the Life Sciences (two semesters: PHYS 030L KS -General Physics Life Sciences I  -PHYS 031L KS -General Physics Life Sciences II  , or Principles of Physics (two semesters: PHYS 033L KS -Principles of Physics I  -PHYS 034L KS -Principles of Physics II  ), or equivalent);
• PHYS 035 KS -Mdrn Physics Computational Appls  
• PHYS 178 KS -Biophysics  
• MATH 032 PZ -Calculus III ; MATH 111 CM -Differential Equations  or equivalent;
• MATH 032 PZ -Calculus III ; MATH 111 CM -Differential Equations  or equivalent);
• One computer programming course (CSCI 005 HM -Introduction to Computer Science  , CSCI 051 CM -Introduction to Computer Science  , or PHYS 108 KS -Programming for Science+Engineer  );

Advanced Courses (5)

• Three (3) upper-division courses in Biology, at least one of which must include a laboratory component. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 116L KS -Organic Chemistry  ) 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 -Classical Mechns Computal Appls  , PHYS 102 KS -Electromagnetism  , PHYS 114 KS -Quantum Mechanics Computal Appls  , PHYS 115 KS -Statistical Physics Computal App  .

Senior thesis (1-2)

• PHYS 190L KS -Sr Thes Rsrch Proj Phys-2nd Sem  
• PHYS 191 KS -One-Semester Thesis in Physics  

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 .