The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2024-2025 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
This concentration may interest students majoring in physics, biology, kinesiology, chemistry, biochemistry (BCMB), psychology, neuroscience, pharmacy, health sciences, and any student interested in the application of physics to biological systems. It provides a good background for further studies in biophysics, biomechanics, and biomedical fields and provides background for additional graduate or professional level work.
|
Course |
Credits |
|
PHY 001 (with lab and discussion) - Intro to Physics I, or |
4 |
|
PHY 002 (with lab and discussion) - Intro to Physics II, or |
4 |
|
PHY 003 - Contemporary Topics in Physics and Astronomy Seminar |
1 |
|
CHEM 001 and 003 - General Chemistry I and lab, or |
4 |
|
CHEM 002 and 004 - General Chemistry II and lab, or |
4 |
|
BIO 165 - Cell Biology, or |
4 |
|
PHY/BIO 132 - Medical Biophysics |
3 |
|
BIO 137/137L - Medical and Sports Biomechanics |
4 |
|
Electives - choose at least one from |
3-4 |
|
CHEM 161 - Biophysical Chemistry |
4 |
|
BIO 188 - Structural Biology |
3 |
|
BIO/CS 116 - Bioinformatics |
3 |
|
PHY 197/198 - Research I/II (Senior Capstone)* |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
30 |
Requirements for the program also include prerequisite/co-requisite courses in mathematics. Depending on the student’s career goals, the academic advisor may recommend other courses chosen from electives.
3.0 minimum (B) average is required in all biophysics-credit courses.
* Research Participation (Capstone): At least 3 cr of research participation at Drake and/or at least one REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates). A paper and an oral presentation are required. The topic must be related to biophysics and be approved by the student’s advisor in advance.
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.