Course description
The Penn Undergraduate Biophysics Major is designed to provide education in depth in the physical sciences in association with an understanding of biological phenomena and problems, and to provide the background necessary for understanding the sophisticated methods of contemporary biophysical and biomedical research.
The goal is to prepare graduates who can go on for graduate or professional study, or who can enter immediately into professional positions in biomedical research and development and in biotechnology. The choices made by past biophysics majors reflect the breadth of the major. Some have pursued doctoral study in areas of biological research such a biophysics, biochemistry, chemistry, marine biology, molecular biology, neurobiology, physics and physiology. Others have attended professional schools in business, education, law, and medicine. The biophysics program is best suited for students with keen interest and ability in the physical sciences combined with the desire to explore fascinating and important topics in the life sciences.
Course Requirements:
BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (2 c.u.)
Biology 202
Cell Biology and Biochemistry Biology 402
Biological Chemistry or -- Chemistry 251 Principles of Biological Chemistry
PHYSICS (5 c.u.)
Physics 150
Principles of Physics I. Mechanics and Wave Motion Physics 151
Principles of Physics II. Electromagnetism and Radiation Physics 361
Electromagnetism I. Electricity and Potential Theory Physics 362
Electromagnetism II. Magnetism, Maxwell's Equations, and Electromagnetic Waves
CHEMISTRY (7 c.u.)
Chemistry 101
General Chemistry Chemistry 102
General Chemistry II Chemistry 053
General Chemistry Laboratory I Chemistry 054
General Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM245 may be substituted for 053/054, for students with advanced placement credit in Chemistry)
Chemistry 221 or
Physics 230
Physical Chemistry I
Waves and Thermodynamics
Chemistry 222 or
Physics 240
Physical Chemistry II
Wave Mechanics
Chemistry 241 Principles of Organic Chemistry Chemistry 242 Principles of Organic Chemistry
MATHEMATICS (4 c.u.)
Mathematics 104
Calculus for the Natural Sciences, Part I Mathematics 114
Calculus for the Natural Sciences, Part II Mathematics 240
Calculus, Part III Mathematics 241 Calculus, Part IV
BIOPHYSICS (2 c.u.)
Physics 280 or 580 Biological Physics (note: 580 not offered every year)
PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: One credit unit of electives from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics department. Course offerings vary each year. Just a few examples: Physics 529 Modern Optics BE 480 Introduction to Medical Imaging Chemistry 666 Biological Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
