Program Design

Course Requirements for B.S. in Biophysics

The Biophysics curriculum is designed for students who seek intensive and broad training in the wide range of natural sciences that pertain to understanding how living systems operate.  These disciplines include physics, chemistry, biology, and the supporting areas of mathematics and computer science.  The flexibility of the curriculum permits student to emphasize training leading to advanced study in any of the major levels of biophysics, including the molecular, cellular, or organismal aspects.  This degree is administered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Undergraduate students in Biophysics are encouraged during their junior and senior years to undertake research projects in one of the nationally recognized biophysics research laboratories in the department.  This research expertise in the department is particularly deep in the areas of molecular structure determination and characterization of the physical nature of interactions between molecules.

Career Opportunities

The Biophysics major is excellent preparation for graduate studies in most biological, biophysical, or physical science fields where a broad preparation in natural sciences is needed.  Students who receive the B.S. degree in Biophysics usually continue in such graduate programs or in professional programs such as medicine or dentistry.  The sophisticated biophysical techniques that are emphasized in the curriculum are widely applied in the biomedical industry.