Program Overview

Biophysics, B.S.

The Biophysics, B.S. program at Wake Forest University requires at least 23.5 hours in physics and includes the following courses:

• Required Major Courses:
  • PHY 123: General Physics I - Studio Format (4 hours)
  • or PHY 113: General Physics I
  • or PHY 111: Mechanics Waves and Heat
  • PHY 124: General Physics II - Studio Format (4 hours)
  • or PHY 114: General Physics II
  • PHY 215: Elementary Modern Physics (3 hours)
  • PHY 230: Electronics (3-4 hours)
  • or EGR 311: Control Systems and Instrumentation
  • PHY 262: Mechanics (3 hours)
  • PHY 265: Intermediate Laboratory I (1 hour)
  • PHY 266: Intermediate Laboratory II (1 hour)
  • PHY 381: Research (for a minimum of 1.5 hours) (1.5-3 hours)
  • PHY 325: Biophysical Methods Laboratory (1-1.5 hours)
  • or CHM 370L: Biochemistry Lab
  • or BIO 370L: Biochemistry Lab
• Select two of the following:
  • PHY 307: Biophysics
  • PHY 320: Physics of Biological Macromolecules
  • PHY 341: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
  • or CHM 341: Physical Chemistry I
  • PHY 385: Bioinformatics
  • CSC 387: Computational Systems Biology
• Co-Requirements:
  • MTH 113: Multivariable Calculus (4 hours)
  • MTH 205: Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4 hours)
  • or MTH 121 and MTH 251: Linear Algebra I and Ordinary Differential Equations
  • CHM 111 and 111L: College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Lab (4 hours)
  • CHM 122 and 122L: Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab (4 hours)
  • CHM 280: College Chemistry II (3 hours)
  • BIO 150 and 150L: Biology I and Biology I Lab (4 hours)
  • BIO 160 and 160L: Biology II and Biology II Lab (4 hours)
  • BMB/BIO/CHM 370: Biochemistry I: Macromolecules and Metabolism (3 hours)

Physics Concentrations

Students who wish to focus their coursework in a specific subarea of physics may pursue a Physics Concentration. A concentration requires 3 courses, although some of the courses selected may have additional prerequisite courses.

Quantum Information Sciences Concentration

• PHY 343: Quantum Physics (3 hours)
• Select two of the following options:
  • PHY 345: Introduction to Quantum Computing
  • PHY 352: Physical Optics and Optical Design
  • PHY 354: Introduction to Solid State Physics

Computational Physics

• CSC 102: Problem Solving with Python (3 hours)
• Select two of the following options:
  • PHY 320: Physics of Biological Macromolecules
  • PHY 335: Computational Physics
  • PHY 345: Introduction to Quantum Computing

Honors Program

Highly qualified majors are invited to apply for admission to the honors program in physics. To be graduated with the designation "Honors in Physics," students must:

• pass PHY 381
• write a paper on the results of the research in that course
• pass an oral exam on the research and related topics given by a committee of three physics faculty members
• obtain a GPA of at least 3.3 in physics and 3.0 overall

Additional Requirements

• Students must earn a minimum C grade in MTH 113 as well as MTH 205 or MTH 121/MTH 251.
• Students may substitute CHM 391/CHM 392 or BIO 391/BIO 392/BIO 393/BIO 394 for PHY 381 in consultation with their advisor.
• Students may substitute EGR 211 for the combination of PHY 262 and PHY 266.
• No student may be a candidate for a degree with a major in biophysics with a grade less than C in General Physics without special permission of the department.
• Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in physics courses for graduation.
• All major students must complete a senior survey and participate in a senior focus group held during their senior year.