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Biophysics

As a biophysics major, you'll use the framework of physics to describe biological systems. You'll build models to understand how these systems work, from the smallest molecules to the largest populations.

Three students perform an experiment

Â鶹ԭ´´ Our Biophysics Program

  • Learn how to describe and understand biological systems using the language of physics, test your descriptions using physical experiments, and translate those descriptions into mathematical models.
  • Your biophysics major gives you skills you can leverage to continue your studies in graduate school or pursue a range of careers, from medicine to engineering.
  • Take classes through the intercollegiate Department of Natural Sciences, working with world-class faculty from Â鶹ԭ´´ and Scripps Colleges.
  • Take advantage of labs, classrooms, offices, and even a community greenhouse, in the 65,000 square-foot Nucleus, our brand-new science building.
     

At a Glance

Degree Awarded

  • Bachelor of Arts

Field Group

Program Type

Area of Study

This program is offered through the Department of Natural Sciences

Biophysics & Our Values

Interdisciplinary Learning

“If we are to prepare students to work on these problems and questions, then we must help them develop the capacity to think beyond the boundaries of traditional disciplines. Of all liberal arts institutions, we are remarkably well positioned to make this effort because of the multidisciplinary nature of the [Department of Natural Sciences].â€

Newton Copp

Professor Emeritus of Biology

5 Fields of Study

Â鶹ԭ´´'s biophysics curriculum blends core classes in biology and physics, and draws on tools and methods from various other scientific fields.

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Student Engagement

At Â鶹ԭ´´, learning biophysics means getting out of the classroom and participating in hands-on work. You'll have the chance to work closely with professors in their research groups, develop practical lab skills in lab courses, and complete original research as part of your senior thesis.

26 Research Groups

Students in the Department of Natural Sciences have the opportunity to contribute to 26 different research groups across several disciplines

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Â鶹ԭ´´ Voices

Â鶹ԭ´´ biophysics alumnus Karl Kiser's '16 major took him on a research trip to the Phoenix Islands, deep in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Where will it take you?

Â鶹ԭ´´ biophysics alumnus Karl Kiser '16
"Myctophids, Heteropods, and Pteropods were among the ranks of critters we examined in a small aliquot from the tow’s haul. Even after learning about the small organisms which dominate the world’s oceans, I was simply dumbfounded by what we hauled out of the middle of the Pacific."

Karl Kiser '16

he/him

Biophysics major

Get Involved

Â鶹ԭ´´ alumnus Julian Cohen '22

Research

Julian Cohen ’22, a biophysics major, received a New Harvest Seed Grant for his research into techniques for creating lab-grown meat. His work aims to make our food system more sustainable and humane by helping us transition away from traditional, animal-intensive agriculture.

Â鶹ԭ´´'s brand-new science building, Nucleus West

Resources

Â鶹ԭ´´â€™s Biophysics major is offered through the Department of Natural Sciences, a joint department that serves students from Â鶹ԭ´´ and Scripps Colleges. The Department has 50+ full-time faculty, and places an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and research.

Biophysics Program Details

Biophysics teaches you how to apply the tools of physics to biological systems, giving you the skills to model the behavior of systems from the molecular to the physiological level.  

What You'll Learn

  1. How to create frameworks that identify the key physical principles, relationships, and constraints underlying biological systems.
  2. How to develop experiments to test these frameworks on a practical level.
  3. How to translate conceptual frameworks into mathematical models.
  4. How to use standard methods of data analysis.
  5. How to analyze, interpret, and assess the reasonableness of your answers.
  6. How to effectively communicate your findings to diverse audiences.
     

Learn More

Visit the Department of Natural Sciences website for more information and resources.

Next:

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 -PHYS 031L KS -General Physics Life Sciences , or Principles of Physics (two semesters: PHYS 033L KS -Principles of Physics -PHYS 034L KS -Principles of Physics ), 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.

Biophysics Program Faculty

Woman in white science coat with glasses and brown hair.

Jennifer Armstrong

  • Professor of Biology
Tiziana Di Luccio

Tiziana DiLuccio

  • Physics Education Specialist
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Scot A.C. Gould

  • Professor of Physics
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Adam Landsberg

  • Professor of Physics
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Sarah Marzen

  • Associate Professor of Physics
Trung Average Phan wearing button up and black glasses

Trung (Average) V. Phan, PhD

  • Assistant Professor of Physics
No profile image for Kevin Setter

Kevin Setter

  • Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics
Woman in black top wearing glasses with black short hair.

Janet Sheung

  • Associate Professor of Physics

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  • Bachelor of Arts

Biochemistry

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  • Bachelor of Arts

Contact Us

Office of Admission

(909) 621-8129