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Aug 31, 2024
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2023-2024 Scripps Catalog THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. LINKS MAY NO LONGER BE ACTIVE AND CONTENT MAY BE OUT OF DATE!
Biophysics Major
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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.
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Requirements for the Major
A major in Biophysics requires a minimum of 16 courses (15 courses* if CHEM029L taken), plus a senior thesis.
1. Foundation Courses
- Introductory Biology (two semesters: BIOL043L KS and BIOL044L KS , or BIOL042L KS Integrated Biology and Chemistry and BIOL044L KS or equivalent);
- Introductory Chemistry (two semesters: CHEM014L KS and CHEM015L KS , or *CHEM029L KS Accelerated General Chemistry with Lab , or CHEM042L KS , or equivalent);
- General Physics for the Life Sciences (two semesters: PHYS030L KS and PHYS031L KS ), or Principles of Physics (two semesters: PHYS033L KS and PHYS034L KS ), or equivalent;
- Modern Physics with Computational Applications PHYS035 KS ;
- Biophysics PHYS178 KS , or equivalent;
- Calculus III MATH032 SC ;
- Differential Equations MATH111 SC , or equivalent;
- One computer programming course ( CSCI051 CM , CSCI005 HM , or PHYS108 KS ).
2. Five Additional Advanced Courses
3. Senior Thesis
- One- or two-semester senior thesis
Note: A study abroad experience is strongly encouraged but not required.
Honors Requirements (All Tracks)
To be considered for departmental honors in one of the science majors, a student must:
- Achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.67 in courses in the major.
- Achieve a minimum grade of A- on the thesis.
- Complete a one- or two-semester thesis project in which the student has demonstrated excellence by making a significant contribution to the progress of the research and by producing a thesis document judged to be of honors quality by the department.
- Present an oral progress report at the end of the first semester of a two-semester thesis and a poster at the conclusion of either a one- or two-semester thesis in which the student clearly explains the rationale for the project and the conclusions drawn, engages the listener, and knowledgeably answers questions.
- Attend at least six scientific seminars during the semester (each semester for a two-semester thesis) and submit a brief and clear summary of each.
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