# Brown University
**Source**: https://bulletin.brown.edu/the-college/concentrations/biop/
**Parent**: https://bulletin.brown.edu/azindex/
Biophysics is a quantitative science at the intersection of the life and physical sciences. It requires a significant level of competence in physics, chemistry, biology and math as reflected in the concentration requirements. Students should work with their concentration advisor to develop a focused academic plan that complements the required research component of the concentration and allows students to develop analytical and quantitative skills.
Student Goals:\
Students in this concentration will:
- Explore the relationship between biological and physical principles by successfully completing foundational courses in biology, physics, math and chemistry
- Gain an in-depth knowledge of the interdisciplinary nature of life and physical sciences by selecting and successfully completing advanced courses in biology, physics, math, chemistry or related fields
- Develop skills to identify and analyze critical questions central to biophysics
- Apply quantitative methods to problems at the interface of life and physical sciences
- Complete a research project with a faculty advisor that focuses on a particular theme or problem in the field of biophysics where students apply knowledge gained throughout the curriculum.
Additional detailed information about the field of Biophysics may be found at: <https://www.brown.edu/academics/biology/undergraduate-education/undergraduate/biophysics>
## **Standard program for the Sc.B. degree**
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Physics | | |
| One of the following series: | | 2 |
| [PHYS 0030](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=PHYS%200030 "PHYS 0030") & [PHYS 0040](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=PHYS%200040 "PHYS 0040") | Basic Physics A and Basic Physics B 1 | |
| [PHYS 0050](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=PHYS%200050 "PHYS 0050") & [PHYS 0060](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=PHYS%200060 "PHYS 0060") | Foundations of Mechanics and Foundations of Electromagnetism and Modern Physics | |
| [PHYS 0070](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=PHYS%200070 "PHYS 0070") & [PHYS 0160](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=PHYS%200160 "PHYS 0160") | Analytical Mechanics and Introduction to Relativity, Waves and Quantum Physics | |
| [PHYS 0470](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=PHYS%200470 "PHYS 0470") | Electricity and Magnetism | 1 |
| Chemisty | | |
| [CHEM 0330](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=CHEM%200330 "CHEM 0330") | Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure | 1 |
| [CHEM 0350](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=CHEM%200350 "CHEM 0350") | Organic Chemistry I | 1 |
| Select one other advanced Chemistry Course | | 1 |
| Math | | |
| [MATH 0090](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=MATH%200090 "MATH 0090") | Single Variable Calculus, Part I (or equivalent) | 1 |
| [MATH 0100](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=MATH%200100 "MATH 0100") | Single Variable Calculus, Part II (or equivalent) | 1 |
| [MATH 0180](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=MATH%200180 "MATH 0180") | Multivariable Calculus (or equivalent) | 1 |
| Biology | | |
| [BIOL 0200](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=BIOL%200200 "BIOL 0200") | The Foundation of Living Systems (or equivalent) | 1 |
| Select four additional biology or neuroscience courses chosen with approval of the advisor. | | 4 |
| Directed Research: Students must take two semesters of research which may be satisfied by any of the opportunities listed below: | | 2 |
| Directed Research in Biology ([BIOL 1950](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=BIOL%201950 "BIOL 1950")/[BIOL 1960](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=BIOL%201960 "BIOL 1960")), Chemistry (CHEM 0970/[CHEM 0980](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=CHEM%200980 "CHEM 0980")), or Physics ([PHYS 1980](https://bulletin.brown.edu/search/?P=PHYS%201980 "PHYS 1980")) | | |
| A summer research experience in equivalent scope and scale to an independent study, but this would not count as course credit toward the concentration | | |
| Electives: Four electives in biology, physics, math/applied math, chemistry, neuroscience, engineering or computer science; at least 2 courses must be above the introductory level 2 | | 4 |
| Total Credits | | 20 |
1
: The PHYS 0050/0060 or 0070/0160 sequences are preferred to PHYS 0030/0040.
2
: Sample electives can be found on the [Biology Undergraduate Education page](https://www.brown.edu/academics/biology/undergraduate-education/undergraduate/biophysics).