Biophysics
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
124 Sherman Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3078
Phone: 716.829.2738
Fax: 716.829.2344
Email: pgy-bph@buffalo.edu
Web: www.smbs.buffalo.edu/phb/
Harold C. Strauss
Chair
Shinpei Ohki
Director of Undergraduate Studies
About the Program
Biophysical sciences are a group of subdisciplines in the biological sciences that apply the principles of physics and physical chemistry to the analysis of life processes at a quantitative and mechanistic level. The program in biophysics in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics encompasses instruction and research in experimental biophysics, theoretical biophysics, and application of biophysical methodology to clinical problems.
Students who wish to apply for acceptance into the program should bring a copy of their current UB DARS report directly to the department as soon as they decide to major in biophysics. To obtain the maximum benefit from the program, it is important to begin as early as possible.
Degree Options
The university offers a bachelor of science degree in bioinformatics and computational biology, with options for a concentration in biology, biophysics, computer science and engineering, or mathematics. Please refer to the bioinformatics and computational biology program in this catalog for further details.
Transfer Policy
If prospective majors have taken courses that may be equivalent to required courses of this department, they should contact the program director. Students must provide course descriptions and petition for acceptance of transfer courses as substitutes for required courses.
Biophysics - B.S.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses.
An adequate background to study biophysics; no specific course requirements are set for admission to the major.
Prerequisite Courses
BIO 201 Cell Biology
BIO 205 Fundamentals of Biological Chemistry or BCH 403 Principles of Biochemistry
CHE 101 General Chemistry or CHE 105 Chemistry: Principles and Applications
CHE 102 General Chemistry or CHE 106 Chemistry: Principles and Applications
CHE 203 Organic Chemistry or CHE 201 Organic Chemistry
MTH 141 College Calculus I
MTH 142 College Calculus II
MTH 241 College Calculus III or MTH 306 Introduction to Differential Equations*
PHY 107 General Physics I
PHY 108 General Physics II
PHY 158 General Physics Lab
PHY 207 General Physics III
Required Courses
BPH 303 Principles of Biophysics
BPH 402 Biophysics Problems for Undergraduates
BPH 405 Biophysics Basics: Processes
BPH 458 Experimental Biophysics (Senior Project)
CHE 319 Physical Chemistry or CHE 349 Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major......69-74
At least 10 credit hours of electives must be in upper-level (300 or above) math or science: BCH, BIO, BPH, CHE, MTH, PHY, or other by approval of the department.
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall—CHE 101 or CHE 105; MTH 141, PHY 107
Spring—CHE 102 or CHE 106; MTH 142, PHY 108, PHY 158
SECOND YEAR
Fall—CHE 203 or CHE 201; PHY 207
Spring—BIO 201
Fall or Spring—CHE 204**; MTH 241 or MTH 306*
THIRD YEAR
Fall—BPH 303; CHE 319 or CHE 349
Spring—BIO 205 or BCH 403; BPH 402, BPH 405
FOURTH YEAR
Fall—CHE 320**, PHY 208**
Fall or Spring—BPH 458
*Either MTH 241 or MTH 306 is required for this program; however, the department recommends that students take both courses.
**Recommended but not required courses: CHE 204, CHE 320, MTH 309, PHY 208.
Course Descriptions
BPH 303 Principles of BiophysicsCredits: 3 | BPH 402 Biophysics Problems for UndergraduatesCredits: 1 - 3 | |
BPH 403 Molecular BiophysicsCredits: 3 | BPH 405 Biophysical Basics: ProcessesCredits: 4 | |
BPH 458 Experimental BiophysicsCredits: 3 | BPH 490 ResearchCredits: 1 - 4 | |
BPH 499 Independent StudyCredits: 1 - 4 | ||
Updated: Nov 16, 2005 10:47:29 AM