Why Major in Biophysics?
At Belmont, we encourage students to get involved in research early on. You'll be mentored to conduct your own, original research, learn to use state-of-the-art equipment and learn to become an independent researcher, not unlike an early career graduate student.
This major lends itself to customizable career tracks that allow you to take courses that will prepare you for your future goals and interests.
You'll do this alongside our dedicated faculty who really invest time to get to know their students. These relationships are vital for advising, mentoring and recommendations for employers and graduate schools. Our faculty teach all classes and labs, grade their own exams, run their office hours and review sessions and labs. They will be your main resource during your undergraduate experience!
We understand that you may not have everything about your passions or future career figured out. That’s OK! As a Belmont Biophysics major, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in almost any technical career at the intersection of biology, medicine and physics.
What You'll Learn
- Interdisciplinary Courses: A core set of science courses, including coursework in physics, biology and chemistry, provides students with a strong foundation to understand the physics taking place at the center of biological applications.
- Customizable Curriculum Tracks: With emphases in Pre-Health and Biophysics, this major allows students to tailor their curricular path to obtain the foundation and background knowledge necessary for the workforce or future study.
- Research Emphasis: Completion of an original research project on a topic related to Biophysics provides an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experiential knowledge of the field of Biophysics.
- Mentoring Opportunities: Mentoring by faculty advisors helps students become competitive candidates to enter the workforce after graduation or pursue further study across an assortment of graduate programs, including engineering programs, bio-physical research programs, medical school and other pre-health programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and more.
Career Possibilities
The Biophysics major is designed to give students a strong foundation in the subjects of physics, chemistry and biology to prepare them for entry into the workforce or future study across a variety of graduate programs. Our small class sizes and research-intensive focus prepares students for careers in:
- Academic Research
- Neuroscience
- Bioengineering & Nanotechnology
- Medical Imaging
- Environmental Research
- Medical School
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
Program Details
Curriculum
The biophysics major leads to either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science. It requires 128 hours of coursework:
- BELL core requirements: 53 hours
- Major requirements: 56-57 hours
- Career Track: 12-13 hours
- General electives: 18-19 hours
The Biophysics curriculum consists of the same foundational courses as our general Physics major. Specifically, students take a traditional introductory physics sequence, the core physics courses found at most universities, a freshmen seminar and an undergraduate research sequence. Additionally, all students take introductory biology, chemistry and organic chemistry. Students can customize the major by choosing an appropriate career track, including:
• Biophysics: This track includes upper-level courses in biophysics and electives from across the college.
• Pre-health: This track allows students to fulfill any science prerequisites for medical, dental, physical therapy, optometry or other health-related professional training program.
Each track consists of a combination of required courses and electives.
- PHY 2230 Introduction to Modern Physics
- PHY 2240 Introductory Medical Physics
- PHY 2295 Biomechanics
- PHY 3110 Analytical Mechanics
- PHY 3120 Electricity and Magnetism
- CEM 3510 Biochemistry I
- PHY 4210 Quantum Mechanics I
- BIO 1150 Principles of Biology I Lecture
- BIO 1155 Principles of Biology I Lab
- BIO 3160 General Physiology
- Society for Physics Students
- Belmont’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs) program
- Study abroad
- Community outreach
- Our students have been accepted to competitive summer research programs (REUs) and internships at universities and companies nation-wide.
- Many of our students have attended or presented their research at regional, national or international physics conferences.
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Contact Us
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Spencer Hayes
Admissions Coordinator
(615) 460.6489
Email Spencer