Biophysics B.S.

SMU's B.S. in Biophysical Sciences combines mandatory laboratory coursework with computational training and opportunities to work directly with faculty research groups. Students can begin research as early as their first year through the First Year Research Experience (FYRE), while selected students can undertake a full-time semester of biomedical research at UT Southwestern under joint SMU and UTSW faculty mentorship.

The program's practical opportunities and facilities include:

• Mandatory laboratory experience: The program incorporates laboratory courses throughout the curriculum, giving students hands-on experience alongside the theoretical study of biology, chemistry and physics.

• Computational modeling: Students receive hands-on training in computer modeling and simulations, supporting the quantitative approach used in modern biophysics.

• Molecular modeling and drug design: CHEM 4317 – Introduction to Molecular Modeling and Computer-Assisted Drug Design provides specialized training in computational approaches to drug discovery.

• Protein research: CHEM 4382 – Physical Chemistry of Proteins introduces techniques for studying protein conformational changes, including thermodynamics, kinetics and atomic-resolution structural approaches.

• First Year Research Experience (FYRE): Biophysical sciences majors can begin working as research assistants as early as their first undergraduate year through the FYRE program.

• Faculty research: Students can participate in faculty-mentored research through the Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Drug Discovery, Design and Delivery, including research areas such as cancer and neuroscience.

• SMU-UT Southwestern Undergraduate Research Fellowship: Selected students conduct a full-time semester of research at the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences while remaining full-time SMU students. Fellows complete a defined research project and produce a research paper and poster presentation.

• Dedman Life Sciences Building: This facility contains classrooms, research and teaching laboratories, computer laboratories and Biological Sciences faculty offices, as well as SMU's pre-health program offices.

• Fondren Science Building: The building houses SMU's Physics and Chemistry departments and teaching laboratories used by Biological Sciences and Earth Sciences.

• Internships and study abroad: The program's official page highlights internships for industry experience and networking, as well as study-abroad opportunities for broader academic and cultural experience.

The B.S. in Biophysical Sciences prepares graduates for pathways across medicine, biotechnology, biomedical research and the chemical and medical industries, while also providing a foundation for advanced study. SMU specifically identifies career directions including biological technician, medical and clinical laboratory technician, clinical research coordinator, medical scientist, physicist, biochemist/biophysicist and science policy advisor.

Typical career directions include: Biological Technician, Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Research Coordinator, Medical Scientist, Biochemist, Biophysicist, Physicist, Radiology Professional, Technical Specialist, Science Policy Advisor.

Career & Employment Opportunities

• Career development: SMU collects graduate outcomes through its Graduation Survey and reports employment, continuing education, job titles, industries, salaries, locations and further-study institutions.

• University career outcomes: SMU reports an 86.7% university-wide career outcomes rate for 2023–24, defined as students who were employed, engaged in military or volunteer service, or continuing education six months after graduation. This is an institutional figure and is not specific to the Biophysical Sciences major.

• Salary information: SMU's official career-outcomes system reports salary information by university and school, but the public sources reviewed do not provide a current salary figure specifically for B.S. Biophysical Sciences graduates.

• Research partnership: The SMU-UT Southwestern Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program provides a direct research pathway between SMU and UT Southwestern, with students conducting full-time research at UTSW under UTSW and SMU faculty mentorship.

• Research institutes: Students can engage with faculty research groups in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Drug Discovery, Design and Delivery, including research related to cancer and neuroscience.

• Professional preparation: The curriculum includes the complete SMU pre-health curriculum, making it applicable to students preparing for medical school and other health-professional pathways.

• Graduate preparation: SMU states that graduates are prepared for advanced study in biochemistry, biophysics, neurobiology, pharmacology, physics and radiology, as well as M.D.-Ph.D. and other graduate pathways.

• Graduation and retention: SMU reports a 91% retention rate for the 2024 cohort, while its university-wide six-year graduation and career-outcome measures are tracked through the Office of the Provost.

• University employment reputation: SMU reports that it ranks No. 34 worldwide for alumni employment according to the Center for World University Rankings 2026. This is a university-level indicator, not a major-specific employment ranking.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into M.D., M.D.-Ph.D., master's or doctoral programs in areas including biophysics, biochemistry, neurobiology, pharmacology, physics and related biomedical sciences. The strong combination of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, laboratory work and computational experience provides a foundation for advanced research and professional study.