An interdepartmental program
Biological Physics

Courses of Study:
Major (BS)

Objectives
The undergraduate major in biological physics is designed to provide the quantitative skills and background in chemistry and biology for students interested in the study of the physics of biological systems, especially on the molecular scale. This program provides a strong foundation in the physical sciences that underpin much of the modern revolution in biology. It should be of particular interest to students wishing to pursue careers in fundamental or applied research in biophysics, quantitative biology, and biotechnology.

For a related graduate program, please see the Biophysics and Structural Biology Program elsewhere in this Bulletin.

How to Become a Major

The major requires a large number of science courses, some of which are prerequisites for more advanced courses. Therefore, it is important to start taking these courses in the first year. Students are advised to meet with the biological physics chair as soon as possible to plan their schedule. It is most advantageous to take physics and math in the first year, but starting with chemistry and math in the first year is also adequate.

BIPH 11a,b (Seminar in Biological Physics) is recommended for first-year students, but can be taken in the second year. Students interested in the honors program, involving a senior research thesis, should begin to seek a faculty mentor by the end of their second year, with the prospect of starting research as early as possible.

Committee

Robert Meyer, Chair (on leave spring 2010)
(Physics, Volen National Center for Complex Systems)

Jané Kondev, Chair (spring 2010)
(Physics)

Bulbul Chakraborty
(Physics)

Zvonimir Dogic (on leave fall 2009)
(Physics)

Seth Fraden (on leave spring 2010)
(Physics, Volen National Center for Complex Systems)

Jeff Gelles
(Biochemistry)

Anne Gershenson
(Chemistry)

Michael Hagan
(Physics)

Dorothee Kern
(Biochemistry, Volen National Center for Complex Systems)

Gregory Petsko
(Biochemistry and Chemistry; and Director, Rosenstiel Center)

Dagmar Ringe
(Biochemistry and Chemistry; and Rosenstiel Center)

Azadeh Samadani
(Physics)

Requirements for the Major

Degree of Bachelor of Science
To satisfy the requirements for the major in biological physics leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science, students must successfully complete the foundation of this program, which is a set of required courses in the physical and life sciences. The core courses, divided by fields, are:

Physics: PHYS 11a,b or PHYS 15a,b; PHYS 19a,b; PHYS 20a; PHYS 31a (formerly PHYS 30b); PHYS 39; PHYS 40

Mathematics: MATH 10a,b

Chemistry: CHEM 11a,b and CHEM 18a,b or equivalents

Biology: BIOL 18a,b and BIOL 22a,b

Biological Physics: BIPH 11a,b

BIPH 11a,b (Seminar in Biological Physics) should be taken in the first or second year. Students who enter the program after their first year may find it convenient to replace BIPH 11a,b with PHYS 105a (Biological Physics), which covers the same material at a higher level of both mathematics and physics.

Students with high enough Advanced Placement Examination scores may place out of some of the elementary courses. See the Advanced Placement Credit chart in an earlier section of this Bulletin for details concerning the equivalent Brandeis courses for sufficient scores in the tests in Mathematics (AB or BC), Physics (C), and Chemistry. Credit toward the major is given for all these tests except for Physics C: Electrical. Students who take advanced placement credit for PHYS 15b will be required to take PHYS 30a, the intermediate-level course in this subject.

Beyond the core curriculum, students are expected to explore areas of further inquiry by taking at least two elective courses. Possible topics and related courses are listed in the following sections. Other courses can be taken as electives with approval of the program advisor.

Molecular structure: The use of physical techniques including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance to elucidate the structure of bio-molecules. Electives: BIOL 102b, BCHM 171b*, BIOL 126b, BCHM 104b*.

Single molecule biophysics: The study of biological processes on the single molecule scale, such as enzyme function, ion transport through membranes, protein folding, molecular motors. Electives: BIOL 25a, BCHM 101a*.

Modeling of biological structure and function: The development and analysis of mathematical models for elucidating biological structure and function. Electives: CHEM 144a, PHYS 105a, NPHY 115a*, NBIO 136b, QBIO 110a.

Systems and networks: Study of topics including bioinformatics, neural networks, and networks of genes and proteins. Electives: BCHM 170b*, NBIO 140b.

*Required prerequisites for this course are not included in the core curriculum.

A student starting the biological physics major in the first year, with no advanced placement, should follow the recommended sequence:

Year 1: BIPH 11a,b; MATH 10a,b; PHYS 15a,b; PHYS 19a,b
Year 2: CHEM 11a,b; CHEM 18a,b; PHYS 20a, PHYS 40a
Year 3: BIOL 18a,b; BIOL 22a,b; PHYS 39a
Year 4: PHYS 31a (formerly PHYS 30b); two electives

A student with advanced preparation in math, physics, and chemistry who wants to emphasize biochemistry might take the following program:

Year 1: BIPH 11a,b; MATH 15a; MATH 20b; PHYS 19b; PHYS 20a; PHYS 40a
Year 2: BIOL 18a,b; BIOL 22a,b; CHEM 25a,b; CHEM 29a,b
Year 3: BCHM 100a; PHYS 39a, one elective
Year 4: PHYS 30a; PHYS 31a (formerly PHYS 30b); one elective

Students with advanced preparation might choose additional courses in other areas rather than organic and biochemistry. A student who has started as a premed and switched to biological physics (not completing the premed program) might have the following program:

Year 1: CHEM 11a,b; CHEM 18a,b; MATH 10a,b
Year 2: BIOL 18a; BIOL 22a; BIPH 11a,b; PHYS 11a,b or PHYS 15a,b; PHYS 19a,b
Year 3: BIOL 18b; BIOL 22b; PHYS 20a; PHYS 40a; one elective
Year 4: PHYS 31a (formerly PHYS 30b); PHYS 39a; one elective

In addition to the required courses, students are urged to learn the necessary topics in organic chemistry as preparation for biochemistry. This opens up additional options for undergraduate research and graduate programs in the life sciences. For medical school, a year of organic chemistry with laboratory, in addition to the required courses for biological physics, will complete the premed program requirements.

An important component of the program is the opportunity for students to participate in research. Opportunities exist for research in the laboratories of physics, chemistry, neuroscience, biochemistry, and biology faculty.

Honors Program
Graduation with honors requires completion of a senior research thesis. Students must enroll in BIPH 99d in their senior year to carry out a research project. Students wishing to join the honors program should apply to the honors advisor in the program in the spring of their junior year.

Special Notes Relating to Undergraduates

Students majoring in biological physics may not count required courses toward a minor in physics. By completing other required courses, they can complete a second major in physics. However, for the preparation for a career in biological physics, it might be more valuable to devote extra science courses to deeper preparation in chemistry and biochemistry.