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Bachelor of Science Bio-Med Option
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The brain scans from a clinically depressed person |
This interdisciplinary program is designed for students who are adept at the mathematical problem solving and conceptual aspects of physics, and who are interested in careers in medicine, biology or biological physics, or medical physics. Premedical students interested in cardiology, neurology, opthalmology, and radiology should find the program particularly attractive.
Sophisticated biophysical technologies are increasingly employed in medicine and other health professions. The brain scans illustrated above are from a clinically depressed patient. The images originate from the mutual annihilation of an electron and a positron (the antiparticle of an electron.) When the two particles annihilate, they create a pair of high energy photons (light particles) which are detected and analyzed. Images like these are revolutionizing medicine; other examples include ultrasound, computed tomography (CAT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fiber-optic endoscopy, and laser surgery.
The rapidly advancing knowledge in the biomedical fields depends upon biophysical concepts and methods. There is a need for health care professionals and life scientists with ample training in the physical as well as biological sciences.
Sample Curriculum
The following is the normal course sequence leading to the B. S. degree (biological and medical physics option). The sequence and variations meet the general prerequisites for medical school admission established by the Association of American Medical Colleges (http://www.aamc.org/). Formally, the B. S. degree is awarded by petition to the physics faculty based on the program developed by you and your advisor.
Courses shown in red are minimum requirements for medical school admission; the requirements of individual medical schools and in some cases for the MCAT (medical college admissions test) can exceed these.
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Sample Course Sequence for Bacherlor of Science - Biomed Option
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| Time |
Prefix |
Credits |
Full Name |
Notes |
|
Freshman |
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|
Fall |
PHY 211 |
3 |
General Physics I |
|
| PHY 221 | 1 | Physics Lab | ||
| MAT 295 | 4 | Calculus I | ||
| CHE 106 | 4 | General Chemistry I | ||
| CHE 107 | 1 | General Chemistry I lab | ||
|
Spring |
PHY 212 |
3 |
General Physics II |
|
| PHY 222 | 1 | Physics Lab II | ||
| MAT 296 | 4 | Calculus II | ||
| CHE 116 | 4 | General Chemistry II | ||
| CHE 117 | 1 |
General Chemistry II lab |
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Sophomore |
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Fall |
PHY 250 | 1 | Physics Journal Workshop | |
| BIO 121 | 4 | General Biology - with lab | ||
| CHE 275 | 3 | Organic Chemistry | ||
| CHE 276 | 2 | Organic Chemistry lab | ||
| MAT 397 | 4 | Calculus III | ||
|
Spring |
PHY 250 | 1 | Physics Journal Workshop | |
|
BIO 123 |
4 |
General Biology - with lab |
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| CHE 285 | 3 | Organic Chemistry | ||
| CHE 286 | 2 | Organic Chemistry lab | ||
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Junior |
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Fall |
PHY 360 | 3 | Vibrations, Waves & Optics | |
|
ELE 291 |
2 |
Electronics lab |
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| CHE 375 | 3 | Physical Biochemistry | ||
| BIO 325 | 3 | Molecular and Cell Biology | ||
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Spring |
PHY 344 | 4 | Experimental Physics I | |
| PHY 361 | 3 | Modern Physics | ||
| PHY 315 | 3 | Biological and Medical Physics | ||
| Electives | See below. | |||
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Senior |
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Fall |
PHY 424/ ELE 324 |
3 | Electromagnetism I | |
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PHY 531 |
3 |
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics |
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Spring |
MAT 485 | 3 | Differential Equations and Matrix Algebra | |
| Electives | See below. | |||
The physics elective is selected with approval of your advisor; the following courses are presently recommended as electives:
- BIO 575 (3) Biochemistry I
- BIO 576 (3) Biochemistry II
- ELE 524 (3) Applied Optics
- PHY 423 (3) Mechanics II
- PHY 462 (4) Experimental Physics II
- PHY 425/ELE 325 (3) Electromagnetics II
- PHY 567 (4) Quantum Mechanics I
- PHY 576 (3) Solid-state Physics
- MAT 517 (3) Partial Differential Equations and Fourier Series
- BIO 475 (2) Biochemistry Lab
