The Physics with Emphasis in Biophysics is an interdisciplinary program for students who love physics and math and who want to work on the complex problems related to biology and medicine. Biophysics involves the frontiers of both physics and biology, where the toolbox of physics and math is applied to quantitative problems in biology. This program provides excellent undergraduate preparation for graduate work in biophysics, bioengineering, biology, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, computational biology, medical physics, and neurobiology. The chemistry courses comprise a minor in chemistry. Students considering the MCAT should consult with the JAMP faculty advisor early in and throughout their course of studies.
| Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| See the Core Curriculum Requirements | 42 | |
| Required courses in the major | ||
| PHYS 101 | Physics and Astronomy Seminar | 1 |
| University Physics I * | ||
| PHYS 2426 | University Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 317 | Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering | 3 |
| PHYS 321 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 333 | Wave Motion, Acoustics, and Optics | 4 |
| PHYS 335 | Advanced Physics Laboratory | 3 |
| Choose two from the following: | 6 | |
| Classical Mechanics | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | ||
| Support courses | ||
| Calculus I * | ||
| MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 2415 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Emphasis Courses | ||
| PHYS 119 | Introduction to Python Computer Programming for the Physical Sciences | 1 |
| PHYS 319 | Computational Physics with Python | 3 |
| PHYS 401 | Current Topics in Physics and Astronomy (1 sh, must be repeated for total of 2 sh) | 2 |
| 6 SCH additional PHYS 400-level courses | 6 | |
| BSC 1406 | Introductory Biology I | 4 |
| BSC 1407 | Introductory Biology II | 4 |
| BSC 303 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| BSC 304 | Genetics | 4 |
| BSC 401 | Research Literature and Seminar | 3 |
| General and Quantitative Chemistry I * | ||
| General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I * | ||
| CHEM 1112 | General and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CHEM 1312 | General and Quantitative Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 2323 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 351 | Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 2123 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| Electives: Choose 8 credit hours from the following | 8 | |
| Organic Chemistry II ** | ||
| Organic Chemistry Laboratory II ** | ||
| Physical Chemistry | ||
| Applied Microbiology | ||
| Electronics for Scientists and Engineers | ||
| Total Hours | 125 | |
This course should be taken to fulfill Core Curriculum Requirements.
Students considering taking the MCAT are encouraged to take this elective.
A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in all courses in this Major.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHYS 101 | 1 | MATH 2414 | 4 |
| PHYS 119 | 1 | PHYS 2426 | 4 |
| MATH 2413 | 4 | CHEM 1312 | 3 |
| PHYS 2425 | 4 | CHEM 1112 | 1 |
| CHEM 1311 | 3 | CID 2301 | 3 |
| CHEM 1111 | 1 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MATH 2415 | 4 | BSC 1407 | 4 |
| PHYS 333 | 4 | PHYS 321 | 3 |
| BSC 1406 | 4 | CHEM 2323 | 3 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | CHEM 2123 | 1 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | Core Requirement | 3 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | ||
| 18 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHYS 317 | 3 | PHYS 401 | 1 |
| PHYS 335 | 3 | PHYS 412 or 420* | 3 |
| PHYS 411 or 414* | 3 | BSC 304 | 4 |
| BSC 303 | 4 | Core Requirement | 3 |
| Core Requirement | Core Requirement | 3 | |
| 13 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHYS 401 | 1 | PHYS 420 or 412* | 3 |
| PHYS 414 or 411 | 3 | BSC 401 | 3 |
| CHEM 351 | 4 | CHEM, BSC, or PHYS Elective | 3 |
| CHEM BSC PHYS Elective | 4 | Core Requirement | 3 |
| Core Requirement | 3 | Core Requirement | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 121 | |||
PHYS 400-level courses only taught on alternate years
