Bachelor of Science in Biological Physics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Brandeis University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Physics at Brandeis University is an interdisciplinary four-year program designed for students who enjoy mathematics and physics while wanting to apply quantitative approaches to biology and medicine. Students build an integrated foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology before exploring biological systems through molecular-scale analysis, computational modeling, research, and biological physics.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the mathematical and physics foundation needed for the major through MATH 10a,b, PHYS 15a,b and PHYS 19a,b. This first year develops quantitative reasoning and core physical-science knowledge that students will use in subsequent chemistry, biology, and biological-physics courses.

Year 2: The curriculum expands into chemistry and intermediate physics through CHEM 15a,b, CHEM 19a,b, PHYS 20a and PHYS 40a. Students begin connecting chemical principles with the physical concepts needed to understand biological systems at increasingly advanced levels.

Year 3: Students move more deeply into the life sciences through courses such as BIOL 18a,b General Biology Laboratory and BIOL 22a,b, alongside PHYS 39a and PHYS 105 Biological Physics when offered. This stage brings together experimental biology and quantitative physical approaches, with opportunities to participate in research laboratories across physics, chemistry, neuroscience, biochemistry, and biology.

Year 4: Students complete advanced physics requirements including PHYS 31a and PHYS 39/40, while continuing PHYS 105 Biological Physics and completing two electives. Elective areas can include molecular structure, single-molecule biophysics, modeling of biological structure and function, and systems and networks, allowing students to shape the degree around their scientific interests.

Focus areas: Molecular structure, single-molecule biophysics, modeling of biological structure and function, systems and networks, quantitative biology, bioinformatics, and biological physics.

Learning outcomes: Quantitative analysis of biological systems, application of physics and mathematics to biological questions, foundations in chemistry and biology, computational and mathematical modeling, experimental scientific reasoning, and research skills.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The university describes the major as preparation for fundamental or applied research in biophysics, quantitative biology, and biotechnology, as well as medical school and other professional studies; a program-specific professional accreditation is not stated on the official program page.

Reputation (employability rankings): Brandeis University reports that 98% of the Class of 2025 was employed, attending graduate school, or engaged in other meaningful activities within six months of graduation; this is a university-wide undergraduate outcome rather than a Biological Physics-specific statistic. The university also reports that recent Biological Physics graduates have continued to advanced degrees at institutions including Harvard, Carnegie Mellon, Yale, Caltech, and UC Berkeley.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Physics at Brandeis University gives students practical experience at the intersection of physics, mathematics, biology, and medicine. Students work closely with faculty and graduate researchers, using microscopy, computational simulations, quantitative data analysis, and other research methods to investigate biological systems. The program places a strong emphasis on real research during both the academic year and summer, with opportunities to work in laboratories across physics, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and neuroscience.

Students can build this hands-on experience through several Brandeis-specific opportunities:

Undergraduate research: Students can work one-on-one with faculty or graduate students on research projects, often in paid positions during the semester or summer. Research areas include biophysics, quantitative biology, molecular biology, protein science, soft matter, and biological systems.
Microscopy and imaging: The program specifically highlights the use of microscopy techniques to investigate molecular mechanisms such as DNA-damage repair inside living cells.
Computational research: Students can undertake projects involving theory, data analysis, and computational simulations, supported by faculty expertise in computer simulations and theoretical modeling.
Laboratory coursework: The major includes General Biology Laboratory, alongside physics and chemistry laboratory preparation, giving students practical experience across the disciplines that underpin biological physics.
Research laboratories: Students can pursue research in laboratories across physics, chemistry, neuroscience, biochemistry, and biology, providing access to different experimental approaches within the interdisciplinary field.
Specialized research areas: Faculty-led research includes microfluidics for protein crystallization, single-molecule biophysics, motor enzymes and transcription, cytoskeletal assembly, statistical physics of macromolecules, ion-channel proteins, protein crystallography, and soft-matter biological physics.
Advanced facilities: Brandeis provides access to facilities including the Brandeis Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility, Mass Spectrometry Facility, and MakerLab, supporting advanced scientific research across the university’s STEM programs.
Senior research: Students pursuing the honors pathway complete an approved research project with an oral defense of their thesis; the current bulletin also lists BIPH 99d Senior Research, involving original research under faculty direction, a written thesis, and oral defense.
Summer research: Students can participate in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program funded by the National Science Foundation, with opportunities hosted at institutions across the United States.
Scientific community and field exposure: The Physics Club organizes outside trips, special lectures, tutoring, outreach activities, and creative projects, while Brandeis also hosts weekly seminars and colloquia featuring visiting scientists and scholars.
Cross-institution learning: Biological physics students may take courses for credit at nearby Boston University, Boston College, Wellesley College, Tufts University, and Olin College of Engineering, expanding access to specialized academic resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Physics combines physics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology to prepare graduates for careers involving biophysics, quantitative biology, biotechnology, and scientific research. Brandeis specifically notes that graduates are prepared for fundamental or applied research, while the interdisciplinary training also provides a strong foundation for advanced study in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, materials science, and biophysics.

Career and Employment Opportunities: Graduates can pursue roles such as Biophysics Researcher, Quantitative Biology Research Assistant, Biotechnology Research Associate, and Laboratory Researcher:

Career services: Brandeis’ Hiatt Career Center provides career advising and employment resources, while its outcomes system tracks where graduates work and continue their education. The university’s published destination data specifically includes a Biological Physics graduate working as an IRTA Fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in science/research/pharmaceuticals.
Employment outcomes: 98% of the Brandeis Class of 2025 were employed, attending graduate school, or engaged in other meaningful activities within six months of graduation. The university reports that 56.9% were employed and 39.1% entered graduate school. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to Biological Physics.
Salary: Brandeis reported an average starting salary of $65,364 for the Class of 2024, with 26% receiving a first-year bonus averaging $15,031. This is university-wide graduate data and is not a Biological Physics-specific salary figure.
Research and industry exposure: The Biological Physics program emphasizes research involving microscopy, molecular mechanisms, data analysis, theoretical work, and computational simulations. Students may also participate in NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs at institutions across the United States.
Graduate and professional destinations: Recent Biological Physics graduates have continued to advanced degrees at Harvard University, Carnegie Mellon University, Yale University, Caltech, and the University of California, Berkeley, demonstrating the program’s preparation for competitive postgraduate study.
Accreditation value: Brandeis University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university explains that institutional accreditation provides assurance regarding the quality of educational opportunities and institutional resources, supporting the long-term academic recognition of a Brandeis degree.
Graduation outcomes: Brandeis graduates move into employment, graduate and professional education, and other meaningful activities; university-wide destinations include healthcare, science and research, biotechnology-related fields, and other sectors.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Biological Physics, students can progress to a PhD or other advanced degree in biophysics, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, materials science, or related fields. The program also provides preparation for advanced research careers and postgraduate pathways in quantitative biology and medicine, with Brandeis highlighting graduate destinations at leading research universities.