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The Bachelor of Science in Biophysics at the University of Michigan combines biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computational approaches to help students understand how living systems work at a physical and molecular level. It is a great fit for students interested in biophysics, biomedical research, medicine, biomedical engineering, quantitative biology or advanced study such as MD/Ph.D. programs.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1: Students start by building a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, which prepares them for more advanced biophysics study. Courses such as MATH 115 and MATH 116, along with introductory chemistry, physics and biology courses, help students develop the scientific and quantitative skills needed throughout the degree.
Year 2: Students continue strengthening their understanding of the core sciences through higher-level mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology courses. Courses such as MATH 215 and MATH 216 help students develop the quantitative background needed to understand and model biological systems.
Year 3: Students begin focusing more directly on biophysics and explore how physical and chemical principles apply to biology and medicine. Courses such as BIOPHYS 370, Physical and Chemical Principles behind Biology and Medicine, and BIOPHYS 417, Dynamical Processes in Biophysics, introduce students to important concepts in biophysical systems, while biochemistry and related electives broaden their understanding.
Year 4: Students develop deeper expertise through either the Biological Physics or Structural Biology track and complete advanced practical and research-focused study. Courses such as BIOPHYS 450, Biophysics Laboratory, and BIOPHYS 495, Senior Seminar in Biophysics, provide hands-on and communication experience, while BIOPHYS 498 or BIOPHYS 499 can support senior thesis or Honors research.
Focus Areas
Biophysics, biological physics, structural biology, biomedical science, medical science, biophysical modeling, molecular structure, dynamical processes, biochemistry, physics, chemistry, mathematics, quantitative biology, medical physics, computational modeling, biophysics of disease
Learning Outcomes
Students develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the physical and chemical principles behind biological systems, strengthen mathematical and quantitative modeling skills, gain laboratory and research experience, and learn how to analyze biological structures and processes using approaches from physics, chemistry and biology. They also develop scientific communication skills through research, writing, presentations and professional scientific activities.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The Biophysics B.S. provides strong preparation for careers and further study in biophysical science, medical science, biomedical engineering and quantitative biology. The University of Michigan also notes that the major meets the admission criteria for most MD/Ph.D. programs, making it a valuable option for students considering research-intensive medical careers. The program is not presented as a professionally accredited degree; its strength comes from its interdisciplinary curriculum, laboratory training and research experience.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Students benefit from studying within the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, where 96% of graduates are employed or continue into graduate or professional education and 77% have internship experience. LSA also has a global alumni network of more than 200,000 living graduates, with graduates progressing into areas including research and healthcare.
The Bachelor in Biophysics at the University of Michigan gives students substantial hands-on experience through laboratory work and undergraduate research. Research is a required part of the major, allowing students to work with faculty and explore areas such as structural biology, computational biophysics, membrane biophysics, neurobiophysics, spectroscopy and microscopy. Students also gain experience with advanced scientific equipment, computational methods and research communication, helping them connect what they learn in class with real scientific investigations:
Required undergraduate research: Research is an important component of the Biophysics major. Students can earn academic credit through BIOPHYS 399: Research in Biophysics while working under the supervision of faculty researchers.
Biophysics laboratory: BIOPHYS 450: Laboratory Techniques in Biophysics gives students practical experience with techniques such as protein expression and purification, atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers, NMR and X-ray crystallography. The course also introduces computational approaches such as molecular dynamics simulations and includes a final project.
Computational methods: Students use mathematical and computational approaches to investigate biological systems. Computational biophysics and bioinformatics are among the research areas available within the broader Biophysics program.
Advanced research equipment: The Biophysics program maintains a Common Equipment collection valued at more than $500,000. Equipment includes instruments such as the TA Instruments Nano ITC Gold Low Volume and Wyatt DynaPro NanoStar II, with laboratory safety and instrument-specific training required for access.
SMART Center: The Single Molecule Analysis in Real-Time Center provides access to advanced microscopy technologies used to image, track, manipulate and analyze biomolecules. The center also supports experimental design and data analysis.
Specialized research techniques: Depending on their coursework and research interests, students can gain exposure to NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, single-molecule imaging, spectroscopy and computational research methods.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program: First- and second-year students can participate in UROP and work with faculty members, research scientists or professional practitioners on ongoing or new research projects.
Senior thesis: Students can build on their research experience through BIOPHYS 498: Senior Thesis in Biophysics. Honors students can complete BIOPHYS 499: Honors Thesis in Biophysics.
Scientific communication: BIOPHYS 495: Senior Seminar in Biophysics helps students develop professional research communication skills through research writing, grant proposals, poster presentations and scientific talks. Students also prepare an NSF Graduate Fellowship application and receive feedback on their work.
Summer research: The Michigan Biophysics Summer REU provides a 10-week research experience for eligible students from outside the University of Michigan. Research areas include structural biology, computational modeling, enzymology, membrane biophysics, neurobiophysics, single-molecule microscopy and spectroscopy.
Library resources: Students can use the Biophysics Lending Library, which provides books and resources related to biophysics and associated scientific fields.
Group projects and field trips: The official Biophysics undergraduate information does not identify a mandatory field-trip component or a program-wide group-project requirement, so these are not presented as formal features of the degree.
Additional research facilities: Students and researchers can benefit from wider University of Michigan resources, including Biomedical Research Core Facilities, the Life Sciences Institute, Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility, Michigan Center for Materials Characterization and Lurie Nanofabrication Facility.
The Bachelor in Biophysics at the University of Michigan gives students a strong foundation for careers and further study in biophysics, biomedical science, medical science, biomedical engineering and quantitative biology. It is especially valuable for students planning medical school, an MD/Ph.D. or a research-focused graduate degree, while also providing a pathway into biotechnology, technology and consulting.
Potential career directions include Biophysicist, Biomedical Researcher, Medical Scientist and Biomedical Engineer, with further opportunities through:
Career and academic advising: Biophysics advisors help students explore career options, choose between the Biological Physics and Structural Biology tracks, and plan for graduate school, medical school and MD/Ph.D. programs.
Research experience: Research is a required part of the Biophysics major, allowing students to work with faculty across a wide range of research areas. This experience helps students develop practical research and analytical skills that can support future graduate or medical study.
LSA Opportunity Hub: Students can use LSA career resources for professional development, career guidance and preparation for life after graduation. Additional University of Michigan resources include the University Career Center and alumni career support.
Employment outcomes: Across LSA, more than 78% of the 2025 graduating class accepted a job offer or continued into graduate school within six months of graduation. Healthcare, technology, consulting and education/social services were among the leading employment areas.
Employer connections: Recent LSA graduates have joined organizations such as Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan, Amazon/AWS, Epic, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, Google, Deloitte and Trinity Health. These represent wider LSA employment outcomes and employer connections rather than guaranteed placements for Biophysics graduates.
Industry opportunities: The Biophysics program identifies opportunities in private biotechnology and technology companies as well as consulting, giving graduates options beyond traditional academic research.
Research and academic recognition: Students can strengthen their academic profile through research awards, conference presentations, Honors theses and other recognition for academic and research achievements.
Long-term value: The Biophysics B.S. is not presented by the University of Michigan as a professionally accredited degree. Its long-term value comes from its interdisciplinary scientific training and required research experience, and the university notes that the major meets the admission criteria for most MD/Ph.D. programs.
Salary information: The official Biophysics program information does not provide a Biophysics-specific average starting salary. Therefore, a program-specific salary figure should not be presented as an official outcome. LSA provides broader employment information, but those figures cover the college rather than this individual major.
Further Academic Progression: After completing the Biophysics degree, students can continue into medical school, MD/Ph.D. programs, Ph.D. programs and other graduate-level study in areas such as biophysics, biomedical sciences, medical science, biomedical engineering and quantitative biology. Students who enjoy research can build on their undergraduate laboratory and research experience through advanced research degrees, while students interested in medicine can use the program's strong scientific preparation for medical and MD/Ph.D. pathways.
Students are required to complete prerequisite coursework in mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology as part of the Biophysics major.
The Biophysics major requires at least 26 credits, with a minimum 2.0 GPA for the major.
The department strongly recommends earning at least a Cā in prerequisite and Biophysics coursework. These requirements apply to the major after entering the University of Michigan and are separate from the general first-year admission requirements.
Applicants must submit a high school transcript, School Report through the Common Application, and one Teacher Evaluation from a core academic teacher or another non-relative who can comment directly on their academic aptitude, potential, and classroom performance.
SAT or ACT scores are optional and may be submitted if available and if the applicant wishes them to be considered. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Science applicants are generally assessed on the rigour of their Mathematics and laboratory-science coursework. Relevant preparation may include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus or Statistics, depending on the intended field. Research, science fairs, Olympiads, laboratory exposure, independent investigation and environmental or community-science projects can demonstrate scientific curiosity and analytical thinking.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Extracurricular activities: Estimated extracurricular contribution: 20ā30%. Michigan values leadership, sustained involvement, service, initiative and evidence of potential contribution to the university community. Activities aligned with the selected school or college may be helpful, particularly for competitive areas such as Engineering, Business, Nursing and the Arts.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.BiophysicistMedical ScientistBiomedical ScientistBiomedical EngineerQuantitative BiologistBiophysics ResearcherBiomedical ResearcherMedical ResearcherBiotechnology ResearcherComputational BiophysicistBiophysical Research ScientistBiotechnology Industry ScientistScience ConsultantData Analytics ProfessionalPhysician
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