BS in Biophysics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

George Washington University

Program Overview

The BS in Biophysics at The George Washington University combines physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics and computing to help students understand biological systems quantitatively, from molecular interactions and protein networks to larger life processes. It is particularly suited to students interested in biomedical science, biological research, computational science or advanced study, with the curriculum culminating in a mentored research project, capstone experience and research presentation.

Curriculum Structure

Early study: Students build a strong scientific foundation through courses such as Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules, General Chemistry I, Single-Variable Calculus I, and University Physics I with Biological Applications. The curriculum also introduces computational skills through Introduction to Programming with Python, alongside further mathematics and physics preparation.

Developing the interdisciplinary foundation: Students progress into subjects that connect molecular biology with quantitative science, including Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Linear Algebra I, and Multivariable Calculus. They also develop a stronger physics foundation through University Physics II with Biological Applications and Modern Physics.

Advanced study: At the upper level, students explore the central biophysics subjects Biophysics: Macroscopic Physics in the Life Sciences and Biophysics: Microscopic Physics in the Life Sciences, supported by Intermediate Laboratory I: Techniques and Methods, Mechanics, Thermal and Statistical Physics, and Electromagnetic Theory I. This stage moves students from foundational science into the quantitative analysis of physical processes in living systems.

Research and capstone: In the later stage of the degree, students complete Physics Capstone (PHYS 4195/4195W) and a three-credit research course such as Undergraduate Research in Biophysics (PHYS 4196). Through Physics Symposium (PHYS 4200), students prepare a final research report, poster and oral presentation, giving them experience communicating scientific work to different audiences.

Focus Areas

Biophysics, physics of living systems, molecular biology, biological applications of physics, computational science, mathematical modeling, biochemistry, laboratory techniques, research and scientific communication.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop quantitative problem-solving, mathematical, laboratory, computational, research and scientific communication skills, while learning to design and conduct physics research ethically and communicate findings to different audiences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

GW's official BS in Biophysics page does not identify a separate professional accreditation for this undergraduate program. The curriculum instead emphasizes research preparation, laboratory methods, quantitative analysis, programming, scientific communication and a supervised research project.

Reputation / Employability

GW's Physics Department reports that its graduates work across corporations, government agencies and research organizations, with recent undergraduate alumni employers including the National Institutes of Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, General Dynamics, Accenture, Netflix, the National Security Agency, the U.S. Navy and the World Bank Group. The department also reports graduate-school destinations including Harvard University, Clemson University, Rutgers University and the University of Colorado.

A program-specific QS or Guardian ranking is not stated on GW's official BS in Biophysics page, so no ranking has been attributed to the program here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Biophysics gives students substantial opportunities to move beyond classroom theory into research, laboratory work and scientific communication. Every student completes a required three-credit undergraduate research course and a major faculty-supervised research project, while GW encourages students to participate in additional faculty research, summer internships and research experiences outside the department. The program is supported by facilities including the Science and Engineering Hall biophysics laboratories, Corcoran Hall, SCALE-UP active-learning classrooms and the Physics Computing Cluster (Gamow).

Students gain practical experience through:

Faculty-supervised research project: Each BS in Biophysics student completes at least one substantial research project, beginning around the third year and finalized in the fourth year.
Undergraduate Research in Biophysics (PHYS 4196): Students can complete a dedicated three-credit research course as part of the degree.
Biophysics laboratories: GW's Science and Engineering Hall houses the department's biophysics group and research laboratories, where students can engage with experimental and theoretical work on living systems.
Physics Computing Cluster (Gamow): The department operates a computing cluster with CPU and GPU nodes, an InfiniBand switch for parallel computing, and Linux-based software including SLURM, providing infrastructure for teaching and research.
Computational biophysics: GW research includes biomolecular modeling, drug design, computational simulations and deep-learning applications, providing opportunities to connect physics with modern computational approaches.
SCALE-UP classrooms: Students use computers, whiteboards and other equipment in an active-learning environment designed for collaborative problem solving and hands-on education.
Physics Capstone (PHYS 4195W): Students develop research skills, write a formal research report, work on scientific communication and receive feedback from instructors and peers.
Physics Symposium (PHYS 4200): Students present their research through a poster at the CCAS Research Showcase and an oral presentation at Physics Undergraduate Symposium Day.
Summer research and internships: The department supports students applying for external summer research opportunities, including NSF REU programs, NASA internships and U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM internships.
Biophysics research groups: Students can work with faculty research groups investigating areas such as protein functionality, chromatin dynamics, biomolecular modeling and other physics-of-living-systems topics.
Research institutions: The department identifies affiliated institutions including the Naval Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NASA and Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biophysics develops a combination of quantitative science, laboratory, computational and research skills that can support careers across biomedical science, research, technology, government and related scientific fields. GW's Physics Department reports that its undergraduate alumni have moved into organizations including the National Institutes of Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, General Dynamics, Accenture, Netflix, the National Security Agency, the U.S. Navy and the World Bank Group, while others have continued to graduate study.

Typical career directions include: Biophysics Researcher, Biomedical Research Assistant, Laboratory Researcher, Computational Biology Researcher

Employment & Career Development

Career preparation: The Physics Capstone specifically addresses career preparation and includes work on employment and graduate-school applications, including resumes and cover letters. Students also interact with GW Career Services during the capstone.
Research experience: Students receive structured opportunities to develop research experience through faculty projects, the required research course, the capstone and the Physics Symposium.
External research opportunities: The department supports applications to summer programs such as NSF REUs, NASA internships and Department of Homeland Security STEM internships.
Industry and institutional exposure: GW's Physics Department reports undergraduate alumni working at organizations such as NIH, Brigham and Women's Hospital, General Dynamics, Accenture, Netflix, NSA, the U.S. Navy and the World Bank Group.
Research environment: Students can participate in faculty research spanning experimental and theoretical physics of living systems, with collaborations involving GW's chemistry, biology and School of Medicine and Health Sciences communities as well as federal laboratories.
Employment statistics and salary: GW's official BS in Biophysics and Physics Department pages reviewed for this program do not publish a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for BS Biophysics graduates. Therefore, no salary or employment percentage has been inserted.

Further Academic Progression:

The degree provides a strong foundation for students who want to continue into graduate or professional education. Depending on their interests and academic preparation, graduates can pursue advanced study in areas such as biophysics, physics, biological sciences, biomedical sciences, computational science or related fields; GW's Physics Department also offers graduate study in physics, while its alumni outcomes show graduates progressing to institutions including Harvard University, Clemson University, Rutgers University and the University of Colorado.