Biophysics is a quantitative science that requires a significant level of competence in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology. These areas therefore form the required background coursework for this program, and serve as a springboard to an advanced focus, developed in consultation with a concentration advisor. Advanced foci may include structure-function relations of macromolecules, biomechanics of cell cytoskeleton, biotechnology for drug and gene delivery, molecular mechanisms of membrane transport, sensory signal transduction, for examples. The program also requires a capstone research project that reflects this focus and may be drawn from collaborative research opportunities offered by faculty in biology, chemistry, or physics departments.
Additional detailed information about the field of Biophysics may be found at: http://www.biophysics.org/AboutUs/Biophysics/tabid/517/Default.aspx .
Standard program for the Sc.B. degree
Requirements
| Select one of the following Series: | 2 | |
| Foundations of Mechanics and Foundations of Electromagnetism and Modern Physics | ||
| Analytical Mechanics and Introduction to Relativity, Waves and Quantum Physics | ||
| PHYS 0470 | Electricity and Magnetism | 1 |
| CHEM 0330 | Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure | 1 |
| CHEM 0350 | Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| CHEM 0360 | Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Biophysical and Bioinorganic Chemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemistry | ||
| Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Biological Physics | ||
| MATH 0100 | Introductory Calculus, Part II (or equivalent) | 1 |
| MATH 0180 | Intermediate Calculus (or equivalent) | 1 |
| BIOL 0200 | The Foundation of Living Systems | 1 |
| Select two additional biology courses chosen with approval of the advisor. Examples include courses in: | 2 | |
Cell Biology | ||
| Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| Biology of the Eukaryotic Cell | ||
| Protein Biophysics and Structure | ||
Physiology | ||
| Principles of Physiology | ||
| Cell Physiology and Biophysics | ||
| Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity | ||
| Principles of Neurobiology | ||
Pharmacology | ||
| Physiological Pharmacology | ||
Biotechnology | ||
| Polymer Science for Biomaterials | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Select six additional intermediate or advanced level courses, chosen from biology (e.g., biochemistry, genetics, physiology, physics, chemistry, and/or computer sciences and mathematics). Examples include: | 6 | |
Biology | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Principles of Physiology | ||
| Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity | ||
Physics | ||
| Advanced Classical Mechanics | ||
| Experiments in Modern Physics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics A | ||
| Quantum Mechanics B | ||
| Biological Physics | ||
Mathematics | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
Applied Mathematics | ||
| Methods of Applied Mathematics I | ||
| Methods of Applied Mathematics II | ||
| Applied Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Applied Partial Differential Equations I | ||
Chemistry | ||
| Chemical Biology | ||
| Advanced Organic Chemistry | ||
A course from the CHEM 1560 series | ||
| Directed Research: Students must take one semester (two recommended) which may be satisfied by any of the opportunities listed below: | 1 | |
Directed Research in Biology (BIOL 1950/BIOL 1960), Chemistry Undergraduate Research (CHEM 0970/CHEM 0980), Physics Senior Conference Course (PHYS 1990), or Independent study course in a related discipline (i.e. STEM disciplines, ENVS, PHP, etc.) if the project is relevant to the student’s learning goals in the concentration | ||
A summer research experience equivalent in scope and scale to work the student would pursue in an independent study course. Examples include UTRAs, LINK awards, approved research programs at other institutions, etc. These experiences do not count as a course in total course requirement, but they can be used to satisfy the one semester of the research requirement. Advisors will work with students to review these experiences - drawing on a range of potential materials including a written summary of the experience, formal work plans, materials produced (i.e. presentations/papers), and in some cases a letter from the supporting advisor. | ||
The following COEX courses: BIOL 0190R, BIOL 0190S, BIOL 0285, BIOL 0440, BIOL 0600, BIOL 0940G, BIOL 1515, BIOL 1555; NEUR 1630, or CLPS 1195. New COEX courses will be considered as they are developed and offered at Brown, and as relevant to the concentration. | ||
Other equivalent opportunities not listed - with approval from the concentration advisor and Dean Smith | ||
| Total Credits | 19 | |