Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biophysics, offered by the Department of Physics, explores the fundamental principles of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics and how these fields work together to advance scientific discovery. Biophysics students are prepared to pursue professional degrees in medicine and pharmacy, or advanced degrees in biology, biophysics, molecular biology or neuroscience, as well as the combined MD/PhD degree in medical physics, health physics or nuclear medicine.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-BIOP-BS

Distinction in Major

To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:

  • achieve a minimum 3.5 major GPA and
  • carry out an independent study or undergraduate thesis project.

Consult the undergraduate physics faculty advisor for more details.

Undergraduate Contact Information

Peter Riseborough, Chair
Science, Education and Research Center, Room 444
215-204-5655

Zbigniew Dziembowski, Faculty Advisor
Science, Education and Research Center, Room 412
215-204-7639
zbig.dziembowski@temple.edu

Angela Bricker, Faculty Advisor for Biology Majors - junior and senior
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248C
215-204-8578
abricker@temple.edu

Jay Lunden, Faculty Advisor for Biology Majors - first and second year
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248M
215-204-8524
jlunden@temple.edu

Evelyn Vleck, Faculty Advisor for Biology Majors - transfer students
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 333
215-204-8842
evleck@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Biophysics.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2023-2024. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2023 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
    • All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      BIOL 2297Research Techniques in Genetics (S)3
      BIOL 3396Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating3
      BIOL 4396Advanced Study in Biology3
      CHEM 3398Physical Chemistry Laboratory II2
      CHEM 4196Techniques of Chemical Measurement II5
      MATH 3098Modern Algebra (F)3
      MATH 4096Senior Problem Solving3
      PHYS 2796Introduction to Modern Physics (S)4
      PHYS 4796Experimental Physics3
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements	
    • A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
      • A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
    • Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
      • SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (77-81 s.h.)
    At least 10 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 3 Biology and 4 Physics courses must be completed at Temple.

    Biology
    BIOL 2112Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology4
    or BIOL 2912 Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    BIOL 2207Genetics (S) 13
    BIOL 2297Research Techniques in Genetics (S) 13
    BIOL 3204Cell Structure and Function (F)4
    Physics
    Select one of the following: 4
    Elementary Classical Physics I
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F)
    General Physics I
    Honors General Physics I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    Elementary Classical Physics II
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S)
    General Physics II
    Honors General Physics II (S)
    PHYS 2502Mathematical Physics (S)4
    PHYS 2796Introduction to Modern Physics (S)4
    PHYS 3301Electricity and Magnetism (F)4
    PHYS 4101Thermal Physics (F)3
    Chemistry
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry Laboratory I
    Honors General Chemical Science I
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    Honors General Chemical Science II
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
    Select one of the following:4
    Organic Chemistry I
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    Organic Chemistry for Majors I
    and Organic Majors Laboratory I (F)
    Organic Chemistry for Honors I
    and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    Organic Chemistry II
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    Organic Chemistry for Majors II
    and Organic Majors Laboratory II (S)
    Organic Chemistry for Honors II
    and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
    Mathematics
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    MATH 1042Calculus II4
    or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II
    MATH 2043Calculus III4
    or MATH 2943 Honors Calculus III
    Biophysics Electives
    Four 2000+ Biophysics Electives chosen in consultation with the Physics faculty advisor. At least two of the electives must be Physics courses.12-16
    Total Credit Hours77-81
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
    1

    This course has a co-requisite of BIOL 2207.

    The research and independent study courses shown below do not count as Biology electives, but they may count as free elective credits toward graduation. Most research courses can only be taken ONCE for a letter grade. Check individual course descriptions for details and/or exceptions.

    BIOL 2082Independent Research I1 to 4
    BIOL 3082Independent Research II1 to 4
    BIOL 3181Cooperative Research in Biochemistry3
    BIOL 3681Cooperative Studies2 to 4
    BIOL 3685Externship Studies3
    BIOL 4291Extradepartmental Research1 to 4
    BIOL 4391Accelerated Research in Biology1 to 4
    BIOL 4483Accelerated Research in Biochemistry3
    BIOL 4491Research in Biochemistry3
    BIOL 4591Research in Neuroscience1 to 4

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Biophysics

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2023-2024 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
Select one of the following: 4
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
Honors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
MATH 1041
Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
4
SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar 1
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL
or Honors Writing About Literature
4
Elective 2
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Select one of the following: 4
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II
Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
MATH 1042
Calculus II
or Honors Calculus II
4
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
3
Elective 5
 Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following: 4
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Organic Chemistry for Majors I
and Organic Majors Laboratory I (F)
Organic Chemistry for Honors I
and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
MATH 2043
Calculus III
or Honors Calculus III
4
Select one of the following: 4
Elementary Classical Physics I
Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F)
General Physics I
Honors General Physics I (F)
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Select one of the following: 4
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
Organic Chemistry for Majors II
and Organic Majors Laboratory II (S)
Organic Chemistry for Honors II
and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
Select one of the following: 4
Elementary Classical Physics II
Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S)
General Physics II
Honors General Physics II (S)
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
Elective 5-4
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
BIOL 2112
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
or Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
4
PHYS 3301 Electricity and Magnetism (F) 4
2000+ Biophysics Elective 1 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 1-0
 Credit Hours15
Spring
PHYS 2502 Mathematical Physics (S) 4
PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics (S) 4
2000+ Biophysics Elective 1 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 1-0
 Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
BIOL 3204 Cell Structure and Function (F) 4
PHYS 4101 Thermal Physics (F) 3
2000+ Biophysics Elective 1 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 2-1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 2207 Genetics (S) 3
BIOL 2297 Research Techniques in Genetics (S) 3
2000+ Biophysics Elective 1 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 4-3
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours123
(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course
1

Four electives must be chosen in consultation with the physics advisor. All courses must be 2000-level or above. At least two electives must be Physics courses. Choose courses in Physics, Biology (Neuroscience, Genetics, Cell Structure, Physiology), Chemistry (Physical Chemistry), Biochemistry and Biophysics. Recommended for graduate school in Physics: PHYS 2101, PHYS 3302, PHYS 3701 and PHYS 4796 and as much of the BS program in Physics as time allows. Students planning to go to medical school should complete BIOL 1111 Introduction to Organismal Biology.