California Polytechnic State University, Pomona

Programme overview

The Biophysics Minor introduces physical-science concepts and quantitative techniques applied to biological problems, reflecting the growing role of physics in areas such as cellular mechanics, regulatory-network modeling, and molecular transport. It is designed as supplemental, advanced training for students pursuing careers or graduate study at the interface of biology and the physical sciences.

What you'll study

The curriculum requires foundational physics, biology and mathematics, plus advanced elective topics in physical chemistry, optics, computational biochemistry and biophysics. Core and elective courses listed in the programme map include:

• PHY 1510/L + 1520/L (calculus-based freshman physics series) OR PHY 1210/L + 1220/L (freshman physics series for Life Sciences majors) — 8 units total
• BIO 1210/L + 1220/L (Foundations of Biology series) — 8 units total
• MAT 1140 + 1150 + 2140 (Calculus I, II, III) — 12 units total
• MAT 2250 (Linear Algebra with Applications to Differential Equations) — 4 units
• PHY 2530/A (Introduction to EM Radiation and Special Relativity) — 3 units
• PHY 2540/A (Introduction to Thermal and Quantum Physics) — 3 units
• At least 6 units chosen from: CHM 3040, CHM 3050, CHM 3110, CHM 3120, CHM 4160, CHM 4170, PHY 3440/A, BIO/PHY 4100, PHY/BIO 4610+4620 (Elements of Physical Chemistry I & II, Classical and Quantum Physical Chemistry, Macromolecular Modeling, Computational Biochemistry, Applied Optics, Biophysics, Senior Project)
• At least 3 units chosen from: BIO 3220, BIO 4240, BIO 4380/L, BIO 5810/L (Cell and Molecular Biology; Neuromuscular Physiology; Bioinformatics/Laboratory; Transport Across Cell Membranes/Laboratory)

Entry requirements

The programme map lists the courses and unit expectations; for information on enrolling in the Biophysics minor students are instructed to contact Prof. Nina Abramzon. (Course content descriptions are available in the university Catalog listings.)

Career prospects

The minor provides a quantitative foundation useful for careers and graduate study at the intersection of physics and biology—examples include research areas using biomechanical models, statistical-physics approaches to regulatory networks, and molecular-transport modeling beyond classical diffusion.

Scholarships & funding angle

Scholarships and funding opportunities are not specified on the programme map; interested students should consult university financial-aid resources and departmental advisors to identify scholarships, research assistantships, or grants that support interdisciplinary preparation in biophysics.