Biophysics

Our master’s in science (MS) program combines a set of core and student directed-courses with an original research project. The courses can be designed to match the academic interests of the student. A research project is selected from among the ongoing projects of the faculty. The program is normally completed in two years or less.

The program in biophysics is interdisciplinary and draws on the diverse resources throughout the university’s scientific community, notably with the Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the School of Dental Medicine, and crystallographic center at the Hauptman-Woodward Institute. It is designed for students seeking a career in academia, industry, or government.

Students admitted to the program commonly have a science background that may include biomedical, physical, chemical, or mathematical sciences. Candidates enjoy a high degree of independence in development of research programs, choice of major advisors, and pursuit of dissertation research.

The graduate program leading to the MS degree in Biophysical Sciences is intended to provide a sound scientific foundation for those planning to pursue a career in research, teaching, administration, or applied biomedical fields. In order to promote the achievement of this objective, the following program requirements have been adopted:

A total of at least 30 credit hours are required for completion of the MS degree. Of this total, at least 20 credit hours must be earned in formal didactic coursework, excluding credits for Research and Thesis Guidance. Students are required to complete 9 credits of core courses and 4 credits of laboratory techniques as described below. Other courses can be tailored to the individual interests of the student, with guidance from the Director of Graduate Studies and the mentor. Where appropriate and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, didactic course credits not exceeding 6 hours may be transferred from other graduate programs.

The following courses, in addition to electives, must be successfully completed with the achievement of a grade of B or better:

• BPH 601 Seminar (2 semesters), 2 credits*
• BPH 505 Cellular and Molecular Biophysics I, 4 credits
• BPH 510 Quantitative Biology and Systems Biophysics II, 3 credits
• BPH 511/512 Biophysical Techniques, 4 credits**

Note: BE 502 may be substituted for BPH 510 with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies.

• BMS 501 Cell Biology I, 4 credits
• BMS 502 Cell Biology II, 4 credits
• BMS 503 Structure & Function in Genes and Proteins, 4 credits
• BMS 504 Regulation of Metabolism, 4 credits
• BPH 501 Biomaterials: Cell-Surface Phenomenon, 3 credits
• BPH 603 Medical Biophysics, 3 credits
• BE 500 Neural Engineering, 3 credits
• BE 502 Quantitative Analysis in Biomedical Imaging, 3 credits
• BE 561 Intro to Biomedical Image Analysis, 3 credits
• CSE 503 Computer Science for Non-Majors, 3 credits
• GGB 519 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• MAE 578 Cardiovascular Biomechanics, 3 credits
• MDY 504 Physics of Medical Imaging, 3 credits
• MDY 522 Image Form & Processing, 3 credits
• STA 502 Intro to Statistical Inference, 3 credits
• STA 511 Advanced Statistical Computing, 3 credits

Qualified students may petition for waiver of the requirement for any specific course based on prior completion of an equivalent course with a grade of B or higher. This will not reduce the didactic course credit requirement (20 credits). Students may select courses that are not on the Required or Elective Course lists with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

Master’s students are required to register for Seminar credit for at least 2 semesters. In addition, attendance at the Departmental seminar series is expected of all students throughout the duration of their graduate programs.

Completion of the Master’s degree requires either a) submission of a thesis based on original research completed by the candidate; or b) completion of a project exploring an area or technique of biophysics in depth, and must include a research component.

The thesis research is conducted by the graduate student under the tutelage of his/her Major Professor and Thesis Advisory Committee. A Major Professor and a minimum of two members of the Department’s Graduate Faculty form the Thesis Advisory Committee. All should hold the rank of Assistant Professor or above in the University Graduate faculty. A faculty from outside the Department can serve as one of the Advisory Committee members with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.

The research will culminate in a written thesis, which is an original contribution, written in English. Thesis preparation is critically monitored and supervised by the Major Professor and the Thesis Advisory Committee, who must approve the thesis prior to the oral defense. The thesis is presented as a seminar to the Department and guests, followed by an oral defense to the Thesis Committee.

Applicants must have a strong science background and is contingent upon attainment of the baccalaureate degree.

• Department Code: 0222

• Department Code: 36