BS in Biological Physics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Georgetown University

Program Overview

The BS in Biological Physics at Georgetown University combines physics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics to help students understand biological systems using quantitative and physical principles. It is especially suited to students interested in biophysics, biomedical science, bioengineering, graduate research, or related scientific and technological careers, with independent research built into the degree.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the mathematical and physical foundation of the degree through PHYS 2101 – Mechanics and PHYS 2102 – Electromagnetic Phenomena, taken alongside the required calculus sequence beginning with MATH 1350 – Calculus I and MATH 1360 – Calculus II. These courses develop the quantitative skills needed for later biological-physics study.

Year 2: Students progress into PHYS 2103 – Relativity & Quantum Physics, PHYS 2104 – Modern Physics and its Exp Met, and PHYS 2105 – Math/Computational Methods, while completing MATH 2370 – Multivariable Calculus. They also begin the required biology and chemistry foundation through courses such as BIOL 1203/1213 – Foundations in Biology I and Lab and CHEM 1100/1105 – General Chemistry I and Lab.

Year 3: The curriculum moves directly into biological physics with PHYS 3201 – Dyn Proc in Biological Physics, while students develop deeper expertise through an upper-level physics course such as PHYS 3101 – Intermediate Mechanics, PHYS 3102 – Intermediate Electricity & Magnetism, PHYS 3103 – Quantum Mechanics, or PHYS 3104 – Statistical Physics. Biology and chemistry coursework continues to connect physical principles with the molecular and cellular sciences.

Year 4: Students complete advanced study through PHYS 4202 – Biological Physics II and gain substantial research experience through PHYS 4998 – Independent Research. Georgetown encourages Biological Physics students to undertake research during the academic year or summer, while students pursuing departmental honors can build their research record across multiple semesters and present their work to faculty.

Focus areas: Biophysics, biological systems, quantum physics, statistical physics, mechanics, electromagnetism, molecular and cellular biology, chemistry, mathematical and computational methods, independent research

Learning outcomes: Quantitative problem-solving, mathematical modeling, computational methods, experimental physics, biological analysis, scientific writing, research skills, interdisciplinary scientific reasoning

Professional alignment (accreditation): Georgetown University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), providing institutional recognition for the bachelor's degree. The Biological Physics BS is also structured specifically for graduate study or careers in biophysical, biomedical, and bioengineering fields.

Reputation (employability rankings): A program-specific employability ranking is not stated on Georgetown's official Biological Physics pages. Georgetown reports that its Biological Physics and Physics BS graduates pursue graduate study in physics, biophysics, applied physics, materials science, and engineering, while other graduates enter scientific laboratories, software companies, consulting, finance, policy institutes, and related fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Biological Physics at Georgetown University gives students practical experience at the intersection of physics, biology, computation, and biomedical science. Students work closely with faculty, complete Modern Experimental Physics and Mathematical and Computational Methods, and can begin faculty-led research as early as their first year; the BS also requires PHYS 4998–4999 Independent Research, making research a central part of the degree.

Practical research and training opportunities include:

Faculty-led research: Students can join research groups from as early as freshman year, with opportunities to contribute to projects, publish scientific papers, and present research at national or international meetings.
Independent research: Juniors and seniors can complete up to four semesters of independent research, with at least nine hours per week expected for a three-credit research course. The work develops into an independent project and can result in a senior thesis.
Modern experimental training: PHYS 2104 – Modern Experimental Physics provides hands-on experimental preparation within the Biological Physics curriculum, while PHYS 2105 – Mathematical and Computational Methods develops quantitative and computational skills relevant to physical and biological systems.
Computational tools: Georgetown specifically recommends COSC-1010 – Introduction to Computer Science: Python for students without programming experience because programming is useful for physics laboratory work; students can also take COSC-1020 – Computer Science I.
Research facilities: Most Physics Department research and teaching laboratories are located in Regents Hall, which also houses the interdisciplinary Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology and the Georgetown Nanoscience and Microtechnology Laboratory, a shared-use cleanroom facility.
Biological and biomedical research: Faculty research includes Biophysics, Optics and Imaging, Nanodevices, Neural Networks, Nonlinear Dynamics, and Photovoltaic Devices and Biomedical Imaging, giving Biological Physics students access to research themes connecting physics with biological and biomedical applications.
External research access: Through collaborations, Georgetown faculty and students can access resources at nearby Naval Research Laboratory, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) facilities.
Summer research: Students are encouraged to begin research as early as the summer after their first year through Georgetown research groups or programs at other universities and research laboratories. Funding options include the Georgetown Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (GUROP) and the Physics Hichwa Summer Research Fellowship.
Research presentation: Independent research students develop experience communicating scientific findings through written and oral presentations, while students completing two semesters of independent research become eligible for consideration for Honors in Physics.
Research experience beyond campus: Georgetown's Physics Department maintains information on opportunities including NSF REU programs, AMGEN Scholars, DOE Scholars, Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI), CDC and FDA research programs, and other summer research and internship opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biological Physics at Georgetown University prepares graduates for careers and advanced study in biophysics, biomedical science, bioengineering, scientific research, and related technology fields. The program combines rigorous physics with biology, chemistry, mathematics, computational methods, and independent research, giving students a strong quantitative foundation for graduate school or science and technology careers.

Typical job roles: Biophysics Researcher, Biomedical Researcher, Bioengineering Research Assistant, Scientific Laboratory Specialist. Georgetown also notes that physics and biological physics graduates have entered scientific laboratories, software companies, consulting firms, finance, policy institutes, and teaching.

Career services: Georgetown’s Cawley Career Education Center provides industry advising in health, science and technology, career exploration, internship and job-search guidance, mock interviews, career fairs, employer events, and access to Handshake for job and internship opportunities.
Employment statistics and salary: Program-specific employment and salary figures are not stated on Georgetown’s official Biological Physics pages, so no unsupported figure is provided.
University–industry connections: Georgetown’s Biological Physics research includes the Georgetown Nanoscience and Microtechnology Lab (GNuLab), where researchers use advanced fabrication and characterization technologies to develop biotechnologies for the healthcare industry, including micro/nanotechnologies, biomedical engineering, sensors, and biomedical optics.
Research experience: Students can participate in PHYS 4998–4999 Independent Research, and Georgetown encourages undergraduates to become involved in faculty research as early as their first year. Students may work with faculty on research and present their findings at national and international meetings.
Long-term accreditation value: Georgetown University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Georgetown’s next reaffirmation of accreditation is scheduled for 2029–2030.
Graduation outcomes: Georgetown states that its Biological Physics BS is designed to prepare students for graduate study or careers in biophysical, biomedical, or bioengineering fields. The department also reports graduates moving into scientific laboratories, software, consulting, policy, teaching, and professional schools.
Professional development: The program develops quantitative problem-solving, mathematical and computational methods, experimental physics, scientific writing, data analysis, and independent research skills, giving graduates a versatile foundation for scientific and technology-focused careers.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master’s or PhD programs in biological physics, biophysics, physics, biomedical engineering, applied physics, materials science, engineering, or related fields. Georgetown specifically notes that its BS graduates often continue to graduate programs in physics, biophysics, applied physics, materials science, and engineering, while students interested in medicine can also use the degree as preparation for medical school.