Biophysics Major

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.

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

Three (3) upper-division courses from Biology, 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: PHYS101 KS , PHYS102 KS , PHYS114 KS , PHYS115 KS

3. Senior Thesis

One- or two-semester senior thesis

Note: A study abroad experience is strongly encouraged but not required.

Honors Requirements (All Tracks, where applicable)

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.
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.