PennCourses

Biophysics Undergraduate Major

Course Requirements

Complete Course List Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics CoursesChemistry Courses

Math Courses Physics Courses

Course Requirements:

BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (2 c.u.)
Biology 202 Cell Biology and Biochemistry

Biology 402 Biological Chemistry

or -- Chemistry 251 Principles of Biological Chemistry

**BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (2 c.u.)**
Biology 202	Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Biology 402	Biological Chemistry
or -- Chemistry 251	Principles of Biological Chemistry

PHYSICS (5 c.u.)
Physics 150 Principles of Physics I. Mechanics and Wave Motion

Physics 151 Principles of Physics II. Electromagnetism and Radiation

Physics 361 Electromagnetism I. Electricity and Potential Theory

Physics 362 Electromagnetism II. Magnetism, Maxwell's Equations, and Electromagnetic Waves

**PHYSICS (5 c.u.)**
Physics 150	Principles of Physics I. Mechanics and Wave Motion
Physics 151	Principles of Physics II. Electromagnetism and Radiation
Physics 361	Electromagnetism I. Electricity and Potential Theory
Physics 362	Electromagnetism II. Magnetism, Maxwell's Equations, and Electromagnetic Waves

CHEMISTRY (7 c.u.)
Chemistry 101 General Chemistry

Chemistry 102 General Chemistry II

Chemistry 053 General Chemistry Laboratory I

Chemistry 054 General Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM245 may be substituted for 053/054, for students with advanced placement credit in Chemistry)

Chemistry 221 or

Physics 230

Physical Chemistry I

Waves and Thermodynamics

Chemistry 222 or

Physics 240

Physical Chemistry II

Wave Mechanics

Chemistry 241 Principles of Organic Chemistry

Chemistry 242 Principles of Organic Chemistry

**CHEMISTRY (7 c.u.)**
Chemistry 101	General Chemistry
Chemistry 102	General Chemistry II
Chemistry 053	General Chemistry Laboratory I
Chemistry 054	General Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM245 may be substituted for 053/054, for students with advanced placement credit in Chemistry)
Chemistry 221 or Physics 230	Physical Chemistry I Waves and Thermodynamics
Chemistry 222 or Physics 240	Physical Chemistry II Wave Mechanics
Chemistry 241	Principles of Organic Chemistry
Chemistry 242	Principles of Organic Chemistry

MATHEMATICS (4 c.u.)
Mathematics 104 Calculus for the Natural Sciences, Part I

Mathematics 114 Calculus for the Natural Sciences, Part II

Mathematics 240 Calculus, Part III

Mathematics 241 Calculus, Part IV

**MATHEMATICS (4 c.u.)**
Mathematics 104	Calculus for the Natural Sciences, Part I
Mathematics 114	Calculus for the Natural Sciences, Part II
Mathematics 240	Calculus, Part III
Mathematics 241	Calculus, Part IV

BIOPHYSICS (2 c.u.)
Physics 280 or 580 Biological Physics (note: 580 not offered every year)

PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

One credit unit of electives from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics department. Course offerings vary each year. Just a few examples:

Physics 529 Modern Optics

BE 480 Introduction to Medical Imaging

Chemistry 666 Biological Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

**BIOPHYSICS (2 c.u.)**
Physics 280 or 580	Biological Physics (note: 580 not offered every year)
PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
One credit unit of electives from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics department. Course offerings vary each year. Just a few examples:
Physics 529	Modern Optics
BE 480	Introduction to Medical Imaging
Chemistry 666	Biological Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Independent Research Project:

Though not a requirement of the major, participation in independent research project is strongly encouraged (via BMB 599). Independent Study offers direct exposure to the discipline as well as laboratory experience. The Biophysics Program Director will help interested students find suitable laboratories in which to work. Alternately, students may contact directly any of the faculty in biophysics, including those listed at this website and the members of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, whose names can be found in the University of Pennsylvania Graduate Catalog.
Students with a GPA of 3.3 or more in major courses may use an independent research project to apply for honors. Please consult with the Program Director if you are interested in this program.

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