Biophysics, BS

The Biophysics major is designed to prepare a student to apply the physical and mathematical sciences to problems arising in the life sciences and medicine. By choosing proper electives, the student can prepare to enter graduate study of biophysics, medical physics, biomedical engineering, medicine, optometry, or dentistry.

For more information about the Physics and Engineering department, visit its website.

Biophysics Curriculum

	Department and Number - Descriptive Title of Course	*Fall Cr.*	*Spr. Cr.*
First Year
MAJOR	PHYS 140/PHYS 140L - (E) Elements of Physics I — PHYS 141/PHYS 141L - (E) Elements of Physics II	4	4
MAJOR	BIOL 141/BIOL 141L (E) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology — BIOL 142/BIOL142L (E) (FYOC, FYDT Lab only) General Biology ¹	4.5	4.5
COGNATE	MATH 109 - (Q) Pre-Calculus Mathematics – MATH 114 - (Q) Calculus I or MATH 114 - (Q) Calculus I – MATH 221 - Calculus II ²	4	4
GE EP - GE WRTG	PHYS 150 - (FYOC, FYDT) Foundations of Physics and Engineering or ENGR 150 - (FYOC, FYDT) Foundations of Physics and Engineering — WRTG 107 - (FYW) Composition	3	3
GE FSEM	First Year Seminar ³
		15.5	15.5
Second Year
MAJOR	PHYS 270/PHYS 270L - (EPW: Lab only) Elements of Modern Physics — PHYS 352 - Statistical and Engineering Thermodynamics	4	3
MAJOR	CHEM 112-113 - (E) General and Analytical Chemistry /CHEM 112L-113L	4.5	4.5
COGNATE	EE 241/EE 241L - (EPW) Circuit Analysis		4
COGNATE	EE 250/EE250L - Computational Tools for Physics and Engineering	4
COGNATE	MATH 221 - Calculus II – MATH 222 - Calculus III or MATH 222 - Calculus III – MATH 341 - Differential Equations	4	4
GE PHIL	PHIL 120 - Introduction to Philosophy	3
		19.5	15.5
Third Year
MAJOR/COGNATE	PHYS/BIOL/CHEM ELECT – Physics, Biology or Chemistry Elective	3
MAJOR	CHEM 232/CHEM 232L (E) Organic Chemistry — CHEM 233/CHEM 233L (E) Organic Chemistry ⁴	4.5	4.5
GE T/RS	T/RS 121 - (P) Theology I: Introduction to the Bible — T/RS 122 - (P) Theology II: Introduction to Christian Theology	3	3
GE PHIL	PHIL 210 - Ethics	3
GE PHIL or T/RS	PHIL ELECT - Philosophy Elective or T/RS ELECT Theology Elective		3
GE S/BH	S/BH ELECT – Social/Behavioral Electives	3	3
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT – Humanities Elective		3
		16.5	16.5
Fourth Year
MAJOR	PHYS/BIOL/CHEM ELECT – Physics, Biology or Chemistry Electives⁵	6	6
GE HUMN	HUMN ELECT – Humanities Electives	6	3
GE ELECT	FREE ELECT – Free Electives	3	6
		15	15
	Total: 129 Credits

¹EP requirement is met through successful completion of BIOL 141L and BIOL 142L .

²Math placement may affect the order in which these classes are taken.

³The selection of a First Year Seminar is likely to fulfill requirements both for the First Year Seminar and a General Education Requirement. Thus, the First Year Seminar will not add to the total credits for the semester. Talk with your advisor if you have any questions.

⁴May include elective in Engineering, Math or Computer Sciences.

⁵Recommended PHYS 493 - PHYS 494 .

Biophysics, BS

Biophysics Curriculum

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Total: 129 Credits