Bachelor of Science in Physics - Biophysics Emphasis

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Missouri St Louis

Program Overview

The B.S. in Physics with an Emphasis in Biophysics at the University of Missouri–St. Louis combines physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology for students interested in understanding biological systems through physical principles. It is particularly suited to students aiming for careers or graduate study in biophysics and biological physics, medical physics, biomedical fields or professional training such as medical school.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish the scientific foundation of the degree through PHYSICS 1099 Windows on Physics, CHEM 1111 Introductory Chemistry I, BIOL 1831 Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms, and MATH 1800 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I. This combination introduces physics, chemistry, biology and calculus while beginning the interdisciplinary preparation needed for biophysics.

Second Year: Students develop stronger quantitative and physical-science skills through PHYSICS 2111 Physics: Mechanics and Heat, PHYSICS 2112 Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics, and MATH 1900 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II and MATH 2000 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III. CMP SCI 1250 Introduction to Computing, BIOL 1821 Introductory Biology: Organisms and the Environment, and CHEM 2612 Organic Chemistry I add computing and biological/chemical depth.

Third Year: The program moves into advanced physics and biochemistry with PHYSICS 3200 Mathematical Methods of Theoretical Physics, PHYSICS 3221 Mechanics, PHYSICS 3223 Electricity and Magnetism, and PHYSICS 3231 Introduction to Modern Physics I. Students also take BIOL 4732 Principles of Biochemistry or CHEM 4712 Biochemistry and BIOL 4713 Techniques in Biochemistry, connecting physical principles with molecular and biological processes.

Fourth Year: Students complete the specialist biophysics preparation with courses including PHYSICS 4331, PHYSICS 4347 Introduction to Biophysics, and PHYSICS 4350, alongside upper-level physics electives. The advanced coursework allows students to bring together physics, biology, chemistry and mathematical reasoning for interdisciplinary scientific and medical applications.

Focus areas:

Biophysics, biological physics, classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal and statistical physics, quantum mechanics, modern electronics, biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, mathematical physics, computational science, medical physics

Learning outcomes:

Students develop knowledge of classical and modern physics, biological systems from organ systems to biochemistry, biophysics concepts and interdisciplinary applications, scientific problem-solving, analytical reasoning, scientific communication, original research and evaluation of experimental data.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The program is designed to prepare students for professional careers in biophysics, biological physics and related interdisciplinary fields, as well as graduate study, medical physics and professional training such as medical school. UMSL's official program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the B.S. in Physics – Biophysics Emphasis, so it should not be presented as professionally accredited.

Reputation (employability rankings):

UMSL describes itself as a Tier 1 national research university, and its official university information reports that U.S. News & World Report ranked UMSL No. 136 among public universities in the 2026 Best Colleges rankings and No. 87 nationally and No. 1 in Missouri for Top Performers on Social Mobility. The university also reports that more than 73% of its graduates stay in the St. Louis region, while the Physics and Astronomy department highlights industry connections with employers in semiconductor, aerospace, defense and technology sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UMSL's biophysics students can combine classroom learning with original research, faculty mentorship and interdisciplinary scientific work. The Physics and Astronomy department identifies biophysics, materials physics and astrophysics as research areas and provides undergraduate students with opportunities to work with faculty; students can also receive research stipends through the NASA/Missouri Space Grant Consortium.

The program's research environment connects physics with biology, neuroscience, nanoscience and materials science, giving students opportunities to apply their quantitative training to authentic scientific questions:

Introduction to Biophysics: PHYSICS 4347 Introduction to Biophysics provides dedicated upper-level study of the field within the degree.
Biochemistry techniques: BIOL 4713 Techniques in Biochemistry gives students laboratory-oriented preparation alongside BIOL 4732 Principles of Biochemistry or CHEM 4712 Biochemistry.
Computing: CMP SCI 1250 Introduction to Computing gives students formal computing preparation as part of the physics core.
Undergraduate research: UMSL encourages students in all majors to participate in undergraduate research and scholarship, with opportunities to work on discipline-specific projects and present results.
Faculty-mentored research: Physics and Astronomy undergraduates can work with faculty on research projects, with summer and academic-year research stipends available through the NASA/Missouri Space Grant Consortium.
Biophysics research: The department's research environment includes work in biophysics and the Center for Neurodynamics, which investigates complex dynamics in biological systems, including sensory perception and neural systems.
Research presentation: Undergraduate researchers can present their findings at the UMSL Undergraduate Research Symposium, with some projects also providing opportunities to present at professional meetings.
NASA-related research: Through the NASA/Missouri Space Grant Consortium, eligible students can work alongside faculty on NASA-related research projects and participate in public outreach through the university's planetarium and observatory.
Schwartz Observatory: UMSL's Richard D. Schwartz Observatory provides an additional scientific facility, with telescope viewings offered on selected evenings.
Physics and Astronomy Club: Students can participate in professor lectures, planetarium and observatory visits and other activities through the Physics and Astronomy Club.
Research fields: UMSL specifically identifies undergraduate research opportunities in biophysics, nanoscience and materials science, allowing students to explore areas beyond traditional physics coursework.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Physics with a Biophysics Emphasis is structured to support both employment and further education, with UMSL identifying biophysics research, biomedical engineering, medical physics, medicine, nanotechnology research, nuclear medicine and environmental science among potential directions. The department also reports that its physics graduates have moved into industry, government, education and advanced graduate study, with local employers in aerospace, semiconductor, defense and technology sectors valuing the quantitative and problem-solving skills developed through physics.

Typical career directions include Biomedical Engineer, Biophysics Researcher, Medical Physicist and Nanotechnology Researcher:

Undergraduate research support: UMSL encourages students to undertake original research, while the department offers faculty-mentored research and undergraduate research awards.
NASA/Missouri Space Grant Consortium: Eligible students can receive research stipends for summer or academic-year projects conducted with faculty, providing a direct connection to NASA-related research.
Career environment: The Physics and Astronomy department identifies St. Louis employers and sectors including Boeing, Emerson, semiconductor companies, defense companies and technology firms, and states that many UMSL physics graduates have entered local industry.
Salary and employment outlook: UMSL's Biophysics degree page reports a $120,310 median annual salary and 8% projected employment growth through 2032 for biochemists and biophysicists, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. These figures describe the broader biochemist/biophysicist occupation, not UMSL graduates specifically.
Graduate progression: The department reports that students have continued to graduate study and doctoral degrees at institutions including Cornell University, MIT, University of Wisconsin, University of Chicago and Washington University.
Professional health pathways: The biophysics emphasis provides preparation for professional training such as medical school, while its combination of physics, biology, chemistry and mathematics can support other health-related postgraduate pathways.
Scientific communication: The program's learning outcomes include written and oral communication of scientific results and conducting original research as part of an interdisciplinary team, skills relevant to research and technical employment.
Long-term value: The degree provides a broad quantitative and interdisciplinary scientific foundation rather than a professional license; students entering regulated professions such as medicine or medical physics would need the appropriate subsequent professional or graduate education and credentialing.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Physics with a Biophysics Emphasis, students can pursue graduate study in biophysics, biological physics or related interdisciplinary fields, continue toward medical physics training, or apply to professional programs such as medical school. UMSL also offers a Physics M.S. and Physics Ph.D., providing potential routes for students who want to continue developing their research expertise.