Physics (BA) – Biophysics Concentration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Florida

Program Overview

The Physics (BA) – Biophysics Concentration at the University of Central Florida is designed for students who want to explore how the principles of physics can be applied to biological and biomedical systems, combining a physics foundation with interdisciplinary biophysics study. It suits students interested in research, medicine, biomedical science and related fields, with coursework spanning physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology and advanced biophysical research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build the mathematical and scientific foundation through Calculus with Analytic Geometry I, Chemistry Fundamentals I and General Physics Using Calculus I, followed by Calculus II, Chemistry Fundamentals II and Chemistry Fundamentals Laboratory. This combination establishes the quantitative and experimental skills needed for the more advanced physics and biophysics curriculum.

Year 2: The curriculum progresses into General Physics Using Calculus II and III, Calculus with Analytic Geometry III and Computer Science I, while Introduction to Theoretical Methods of Physics and Ordinary Differential Equations I strengthen mathematical and computational problem-solving. These courses prepare students to approach biological systems using increasingly sophisticated physical models.

Year 3: Students develop stronger experimental and theoretical physics skills through Intermediate Physics Laboratory, Electricity and Magnetism I, Thermal and Statistical Physics and Mechanics I. Restricted electives allow students to begin tailoring their studies toward biophysics and related scientific interests.

Year 4: Students move into advanced topics including Wave Mechanics I, Wave Mechanics II and Independent Research. The research component gives students an opportunity to work under a Physics faculty member and apply their knowledge to an open-ended research project, while restricted electives provide further specialization.

Focus areas

Biophysics, biological physics, molecular biophysics, protein structure and function, biomechanics, soft condensed matter, computational physics, spectroscopy, nanobiology, biomedical applications.

Learning outcomes

Students develop quantitative problem-solving, theoretical and experimental physics, laboratory, computational and research skills, with the ability to apply physical principles to biological and biomedical problems. UCF's undergraduate physics curriculum also emphasizes individually designed research projects and preparation for advanced study in areas including medicine, engineering and related disciplines.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The UCF Physics (BA) – Biophysics Concentration is an undergraduate physics program; the official program page does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the biophysics concentration.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UCF's official program page currently highlights recognition from U.S. News & World Report for UCF as one of the Most Innovative universities for 2026. UCF also reports that more than 25,000 students gained industry exposure through internships, co-ops and service-learning projects in the past year.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UCF gives Biophysics students opportunities to move beyond classroom theory through faculty-supervised research, laboratory work and interdisciplinary research involving physics, biology, chemistry, nanoscience and medicine. The department's biological-physics research includes experimental spectroscopy, protein and membrane studies, computational modelling, high-performance computing and advanced microscopy, giving students exposure to research methods used to investigate real biological systems.

Students can develop practical experience through:

Intermediate Physics Laboratory: Students gain hands-on experimental experience as part of the required physics curriculum.
Independent Research (PHY 4912): The program includes a 3-credit independent research component in which students work under the supervision of a Physics professor and develop an agreed research project.
Biological Physics research: UCF researchers investigate proteins, membranes, DNA and other biological systems using experimental, theoretical and computational approaches.
Advanced instrumentation: Biophysics research includes FTIR spectroscopy, fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
Computational research: Students can encounter classical and quantum calculations performed at different length and time scales using high-performance computing systems.
Interdisciplinary research: The Biophysics Group collaborates with faculty in the College of Medicine, as well as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, NanoScience Technology and CREOL.
Undergraduate research opportunities: UCF encourages students to begin research early and lists departmental opportunities, NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) opportunities and other research pathways.
Biophysics research environment: UCF's Biophysics Group hosts monthly seminars bringing together students and faculty from multiple scientific and biomedical disciplines.
Research project skills: The undergraduate research course develops project planning, execution, open-ended problem solving, time and funding allocation, and oral and written scientific communication.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biophysics concentration provides a foundation for students seeking research careers or further study where physics intersects with biology, medicine and biomedical science. UCF states that its physics graduates are prepared for advanced study in physics, engineering, medicine, environmental sciences, astronomy and related disciplines, while the department's biophysics research connects directly with biomedical research at the College of Medicine.

Typical career directions include biophysics researcher, biomedical researcher, laboratory scientist and computational scientist.

Students can build their progression through:

Career Services: UCF's Physics department directs students to Career Services for advice on career options and strategies for applying to graduate or professional school.
Office of Experiential Learning: Students can access cooperative education, internships and service-learning opportunities to complement their academic preparation.
Career information: UCF provides career-pathway information covering employment trends, average annual earnings, top employers, education requirements, technical skills and common job titles.
Research experience: UCF requires undergraduate Physics students to complete research under faculty supervision, giving them experience designing and executing projects and communicating results.
University–research collaboration: Biophysics researchers collaborate with UCF's College of Medicine and receive research support from organizations including the NSF and NIH.
Interdisciplinary opportunities: The Biophysics Group connects with Chemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, NanoScience Technology and CREOL, creating opportunities to work across scientific disciplines.
Graduate and professional pathways: UCF identifies physics as preparation for advanced study in medicine, engineering and other related disciplines, while the biophysics focus provides relevant preparation for biomedical and life-science research.
UCF outcomes data: UCF's First Destination Survey collects graduate information including employment status, employer, job title, location and annual salary; the university notes that results are used to improve career services and support accreditation and compliance reporting.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.A., students can continue into graduate study in physics, biophysics, biomedical sciences and related interdisciplinary fields. Depending on their prerequisites and career goals, the degree can also provide a foundation for professional education in medicine and other health-related disciplines.