Concentration
Why Study Biological Physics at K?
Explore the intersections of research across the natural sciences to solve today’s most pressing and complicated medical research questions.
Biological and medical sciences are rapidly changing and increasingly require a firm foundation in physics, mathematics, and computer science. The concentration is designed to supplement your studies, typically in biology, chemistry, or physics, to better prepare you for the interdisciplinary future of medicine. As a biological physics student at K, you will learn how to study biological problems—from the smallest cell to whole ecosystems—using a physics framework.
To gain this holistic view of scientific advancement, you will take courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics—such as Evolution and Genetics; Physical Chemistry; Computational Neuroscience; and Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos. In your classes and research, you will use simple physics tools and strategies to address complicated systems and gain the numerical literacy needed to understand the time and size of living things. Our students will also benefit from our 3D printing machines that make the micro, macro.
By investigating phenomena from multiple scientific disciplines and putting them into perspective, you will be more adept and creative in your future research and applied work. Notably, alumni have utilized their biological physics concentration to enhance their careers in medicine and engineering.
What can you do with a biological physics concentration?
Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our biological physics alumni.
Careers
- Medical Doctor
- Research Associate
- Veterinarian
- Chemical Engineer
Employers
- Merck
- UCLA Health
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- National Institute of Health
Graduate Schools
- University of Michigan
- University of California, Berkley
- Penn State University
- Ohio State University
Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisor
Jenny Nguyen (She/Her/Hers)
Major: Biochemistry
Concentration: Biological Physics
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
The best thing about my department is that you can see the same biological system from different perspectives.
What has been your favorite class at K? Why?
Biophysics (PHYS-205) with Dr. Wilson is definitely my favorite class at K. Not just because I am the Biophysics DSA [Departmental Student Advisor], but also because the class has the right amount of challenge. The material was hard but also incredibly interesting at the same time. With Dr. Wilson’s patience and encouragement, I learned a lot from that class!!
How have you taken advantage of the open curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
Being at K allows me to branch out of my major and balance both the science and art parts of my life. Besides being a biochemistry major with a biological physics concentration, I’ve also participated a fair amount in the theatre department as the stage manager for a few shows.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
Right now, my plan is to pursue a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and/or Biological Physics after K.